Vaccines for adults

You can’t afford to get sick.

You have a busy life and too much responsibility to risk getting sick. Vaccines can help you stay healthy so you don’t miss work. If you can avoid getting sick, you’ll have more time for your family, friends, and hobbies.

Getting recommended vaccines can give you some peace of mind. You will have the best possible protection against many serious diseases.

There are at least two vaccines that all adults should get.

• All adults need a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults.
• Every adult should get a Tdap vaccine if they didn’t receive it when they were younger to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap booster shot every 10 years. Women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks.

About the COVID-19 vaccination

• It is fast and easy.
• COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from COVID-19, especially severe illness and death. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can participate in more activities without risk of spreading the virus.
• Visit our COVID-19 resource page for more information.

If you’re 19-26

In addition to the seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and the Td or Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get the HPV vaccine, which protects against the viruses that cause most cervical, anal, and other cancers, as well as genital warts. CDC recommends:

• HPV vaccination for all preteens at age 11 or 12. It can be given starting at age 9.
• HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26, if not vaccinated already.

HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26. However, some adults aged 27 through 45 who aren’t already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.

In addition, the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 19 through 59. This vaccine protects against hepatitis B which can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Some vaccines may be recommended for adults because of job- or school-related requirements, health conditions, lifestyle or other factors. For example, some states require students entering colleges and universities to be vaccinated against certain diseases like meningitis due to increased risk among college students living in residential housing. Read more about state mandates.

Talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider to find out which vaccines are recommended for you at your next medical appointment.

If you’re over 50

Almost 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Your risk of shingles increases as you age. Additionally, over 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 and older.

Our immune systems weaken as we age, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. This is why, in addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get:

• Shingles vaccine, which protects against shingles and the complications from the disease (recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older).
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15 or PCV20), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease and pneumonia (recommended for all adults 65 or older who have never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). If PCV15 is used, it should be followed by a dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which also protects against serious pneumococcal disease.

In addition, the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults aged 19 through 59, and adults 60 years or older with risk factors for hepatitis B infection. Adults aged 60 or older without any known risk factors for hepatitis B infection may get the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine provides protection from hepatitis B which can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider to find out which vaccines are recommended for you at your next medical appointment.

See our preventive healthcare schedule for suggested vaccines for adults.

Where to get vaccines

Your doctor’s office isn’t the only option. Many pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, health departments, and even schools and churches provide vaccinations. Tell your primary doctor if you get a vaccine outside of their office so your health record is up to date.

Why should you get vaccines?

In short, they can protect against vaccine-preventable adult diseases. Check out these statistics from the CDC:

• Since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations in the United States have ranged from 140,000 to 710,000, and flu-related deaths have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000.
• About 320,000 people get pneumococcal pneumonia every year, leading to over 150,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, mostly among the elderly.
• About 880,000 people have chronic hepatitis B, which can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.
• HPV causes over 27,000 cancers in women and men each year. About 4,000 women die each year from cervical cancer.

Vaccines are the safest and most effective ways to protect your health.

They go through strict testing before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves them for use. But monitoring doesn’t stop there. The CDC and the FDA continue to track the safety of all immunizations.

Talk with your doctor about the vaccines you should receive based on your health and lifestyle.