Vaccines Recommended Vaccines for Adults 3 Vaccines Every Adult Needs (and 5 You May Need) By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 11, 2021 Learn more</a>." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anju Goel, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH LinkedIn Anju Goel, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician who specializes in public health, communicable disease, diabetes, and health policy. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Children get a lot of vaccinations when they are little, but many parents and adults forget that they need immunizations too. Just because you are an adult doesn’t mean you have already "built up your immunity" and are at less risk of infectious diseases. In some cases, adults may be more at risk than children (as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic). This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Getty Images There are three vaccines recommended for all adults by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—influenza, Tdap or Td, and COVID-19—and five others that are recommended if you have not been adequately vaccinated or have certain health conditions. If you are unsure if you are up to date with your immunizations, ask your healthcare provider. Top 20 Vaccines You Should Know About For Adults 18 and Over Some adult vaccinations are limited to specific age groups. Others are not used for primary immunization but rather as a booster to maintain long-term immunity. Influenza Vaccine Everyone over 6 months of age should receive an annual flu vaccination. Those between the ages of 2 and 49 can opt for the flu vaccine nasal spray (FluMist). For other ages, the flu shot is the only option. The need for influenza vaccination grows greater as you get older, with people 65 and older at increased risk of serious complications including pneumonia and hospitalization. The flu shot only requires only one dose, delivered by intramuscular injection (into a large muscle). FluMist is sprayed into both nostrils but, as a live vaccine, is avoided in people who are pregnant. Latest CDC Flu Vaccine Recommendations Tdap and Td Boosters After receiving the DTaP vaccine during childhood to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough), adults should receive one dose of the Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccine, followed by a Tdap or Td (tetanus-diphtheria) booster every 10 years. One of the follow-ups between the ages of 19 and 64 should involve the Tdap vaccine to ensure protection against pertussis. For this same reason, the Tdap vaccine should be administered between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, regardless of when you had your last Tdap or Td vaccination. The Tdap vaccine is delivered intramuscularly, while the Td can be given either intramuscularly or subcutaneously (beneath the skin). COVID-19 Vaccine There are three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. Each is delivered by intramuscular injection. As of July 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for the following COVID-19 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Delivered in two doses for people ages 12 and over Moderna COVID-19 vaccine; Delivered in two doses for people 12 and over Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: Delivered in one dose for people 18 and over What Older Adults Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus linked to cervical cancer and anal cancer. The HPV vaccine, called Gardasil-9, is typically given to children between the ages of 11 and 12 but can also be used in anyone through age 26 if they have not been vaccinated. For people 15 to 26, three doses are given by intramuscular injection over the course of six months. Gardasil-9 can also be used in adults 27 to 45 based on shared clinical decision-making with their doctor. Although the protective benefits may be less than in younger people, the vaccine is safe and won't hurt you if you are older. Is Gardasil-9 Covered by Insurance? MMR Vaccine If you have not had an MMR vaccine and have never had measles, mumps, or rubella (German measles), you may need the vaccine. Adults without evidence of immunity should receive one dose of the MMR vaccine. Being born before 1957 is considered evidence of immunity by the CDC. The MMR vaccine is delivered by subcutaneous injection. Is a Preservative-Free Flu Shot Safer? Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine Varicella (chickenpox) vaccination is recommended for adults 18 to 49 without evidence of immunity. Being born before 1980 is considered evidence of immunity by the CDC. For adults in need of immunization, two doses of the varicella vaccine are given by subcutaneous injection four to eight weeks apart. Pregnant women should not receive the vaccine. Vaccines Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. For Adults 50 and Over There are certain infectious diseases that adults 50 and over are especially vulnerable to, the risk of which increases with each advancing year. Pneumococcal Vaccine All people 65 and older should be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. This bacterial infection can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia, which can be potentially severe. There are two vaccines used for this purpose: Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23): Delivered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection and recommended for all adults 65 and overPneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13): Delivered by intramuscular injection and recommended for immunocompromised people and those with a cochlear implant or a cerebrospinal fluid leak If you have risk factors that place you at higher risk for pneumococcal disease (such as chronic heart and lung disease), you will need to get the PPSV23 vaccine before 65. Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine According to the CDC, one in three Americans will develop shingles (herpes zoster) in their lifetime. Almost all shingles deaths are in people over 65 or those with compromised immune systems. Due to the high incidence of shingles in older people, as well as the risk of severe neurological and eye complications, shingles vaccination is recommended for all healthy adults 50 and over. There is one shingles vaccine used in the United States, called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine). It is delivered by intramuscular injection in two doses separated by two to six months. What Are the Risk Factors for Shingles? A Word From Verywell Before getting a vaccine, check with your healthcare provider about any conditions you have that may contraindicate the vaccine's use. This may include pregnancy, being immunocompromised, or having a pre-existing health condition. Knowing this can help you avoid getting a vaccine that may be potentially harmful. At the same time, there may be alternative vaccines that may be safe for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What vaccines are recommended for you? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Table 1. Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza (flu). Medimmune. Package insert - FluMist quadrivalent. Bae C, Bourget D. Tetanus. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who should get diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccines? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Emergency use authorization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) EUA information. Luria L, Cardoza-Favarato G. Human papillomavirus. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV vaccine schedule and dosing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMR and MMRV vaccine composition and dosage. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chickenpox (varicella): Administering the vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles burden and trends.