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Adult Vaccines

Vaccinating Adults: A
Step-by-Step Guide
National Adult
Immunization Plan
2018 National Adult and
Influenza Immunization
Summit

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Children are not the only ones who need to be immunized. As you age, many vaccines wear off and your immune system doesn't function as well as it used to. Immunizations are able to help your body fight off diseases and prevent you from spreading them. Below, you'll find the recommended vaccines for each different stage of adulthood. This is just a general list; you may need different vaccines than what are listed (based on your lifestyle, work, travel, and health conditions). Make sure you talk with your healthcare provider about what vaccines you personally need!

Adults 19 to 26 Years Old

The recommended vaccines for this group include:

  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine (often recommended in the months of October through May, but can be administered through June)
  • Td or Tdap Vaccine (to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
  • HPV Vaccine
Other vaccines may be recommended based on your job/schooling, lifestyle, health conditions, or other factors. For example, some colleges and universities require a meningococcal meningitis vaccination due to increased risks.

Talk with your healthcare provider at your next appointment to determine what vaccines you may need.

Adults over 60 Years Old

The recommended vaccines for this group include:

  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine (often recommended in the months of October through May, but can be administered through June)
  • Zoster Vaccine (to protect against shingles)
  • Td or Tdap vaccine (to protecta against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
  • Pneumococcal Vaccine
The Td or Tdap vaccines are especially important when it comes to protecting new grandchildren. New babies are not able to get these vaccines, but you can help protect the new little ones against whooping cough by getting one of these vaccines. Follow this link to learn more from the CDC:https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/downloads/matte-grandparents.pdf

As a person ages, their immune system weakens, placing them at a higher risk for some diseases. Talk with your healthcare provider at your next appointment to determine what vaccines you may need.

Adults with Health Conditions

The recommended vaccines for this group include:

  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine (often recommended in the months of October through May, but can be administered through June)
  • Td or Tdap Vaccine (to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
Others may be recommended depending on specific health conditions. Follow the link to the CDC to learn about which vaccines you need for various health conditions: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html

Talk with your healthcare provider at your next appointment to determine what vaccines are recommended for you based on your health status, lifestyle, and age.

Pregnant Women

The recommended vaccines for this group include:

  • Td or Tdap Vaccine (to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) - this vaccine is recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy
  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine (often recommended in the months of October through May, but can be administered through June)
The Td or Tdap vaccines are especially important when it comes to protecting new babies. Infants are not able to get these vaccines, but you can help protect the new little ones against whooping cough by getting one of them. Follow this link to learn more from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/protection.html

Talk with your ob-gyn or other healthcare provider at your next appointment to determine what vaccines are recommended to help protect you and your baby.

Healthcare Professionals

The recommended vaccines for this group include:

  • Hepatitis B Vaccine
  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine
  • MMR Vaccine
  • Varicella Vaccine
  • Tdap Vaccine
  • Meningococcal Vaccine
Healthcare professionals include nurses, physicians, emergency medical personnel, dental professionals and dental students, medical and nursing students, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, volunteers at hospitals, and hospital administrative staff.

CDC Resources

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