What are the recommended vaccines for adults?

Vaccines aren’t just for kids. As an adult, you can’t afford to get sick and miss work, school or any part of your busy life.  While you can’t avoid every illness, there are some proven ways to help protect yourself and your loved ones from certain diseases. Thousands of adults become seriously ill and are hospitalized every year because of diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. Vaccines use your body’s natural defenses to help you safely develop immunity to disease.  The best way to protect yourself from certain diseases, which can be deadly in some cases, is by getting vaccinated. 

Specific vaccines are recommended for certain conditions and various age groups, particularly in older adults since the body’s ability to fight infections can decrease as we age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed and regularly update an immunization schedule for adults to help you determine which vaccine is right for you based on your age, medical history, lifestyle and underlying medical conditions. The schedule also takes into consideration which vaccines you may have already received. You can always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. 

Adults should make sure they are up to date on the most common recommended vaccines: 

• Seasonal influenza (flu) – Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every year to help reduce the risk of flu and its complications.
• Tetanus and diphtheria (Td)– A Td vaccine booster dose is recommended for all adults every 10 years. 
• Pertussis, also known as whooping cough-paired with Tetanus and diphtheria (Tdap) – One dose of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine is recommended for all adults who have not previously received this vaccine, regardless of when you received your last tetanus shot. Pregnant women also need a dose of Tdap vaccine during every pregnancy.
• Shingles – Two doses of the shingles, or herpes zoster, vaccine is recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older.
• Pneumococcal disease –It is recommended that adults 50 years and older receive the pneumococcal vaccine.  The vaccine can also benefit adults younger than 50 years who have specific health conditions or smoke cigarettes. 
• RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) - One dose of RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 75 years and older and adults ages 60-74 at increased risk for severe RSV disease, such as adults with certain medical conditions and nursing home residents. 
• COVID-19 - All adults should receive an updated dose of the most current COVID-19 vaccine (currently this is the 2024-2025 formulation). More than one dose is recommended for some populations. 

Keep in mind that these aren’t the only vaccines that may be right for you. If you plan to travel, work in a healthcare setting or are diagnosed with a new medical condition, you can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if they recommend other vaccines for added protection, based on your specific needs.

As our immune system tends to weaken over time, so does the risk for certain diseases. By staying current with vaccines recommended for your age group, you can decrease your risk for potentially serious diseases that are preventable and, at the same time, protect your health as well as the health of your loved ones and your community.