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 illnesses. 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 in various age groups, particularly in older adults since the body’s ability to fight infections can decrease over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) immunization schedule for adults can help you determine which vaccine is right for your age, lifestyle or medical condition, taking into consideration which vaccines you may have already received.  You can always consult your health care provider or pharmacist for more information. 

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

• 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 it no matter when you got 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 65 years and older receive the pneumococcal vaccine.  Adults younger than 65 years who have specific health conditions or smoke cigarettes are also eligible. 
• RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) - One dose of RSV vaccine is recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and adults ages 60-74 at increased risk for severe RSV disease such as adults with certain medical conditions or nursing home residents. 
• COVID-19 - All adults should receive an updated dose of COVID-19 vaccine with the latest vaccine formulation. Some populations  are recommended to receive more than one dose. 

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

As an aging immune system tends to weaken over time, so does the risk for certain diseases. By staying up to date with vaccines, you can decrease your risk for potentially serious diseases that are preventable and, at the same time, protect the health of yourself, your loved ones, and your community.