Adults Need Immunizations, Too

Immunizations are NOT just for kids! Regardless of your age, we ALL need immunizations to keep us healthy. With time, immunity from childhood vaccines can fade and you may be at risk for new and different diseases. With adulthood comes responsibility, including the need to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Find Out Which Vaccines You Need

  The specific immunizations you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunizations. Throughout your adult life, you need immunizations to get and maintain protection against:

• Seasonal influenza (flu) (for all adults)
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) (for all adults who have not previously received the Tdap vaccine)
• Shingles (for adults 60 years and older)
• Pneumococcal disease (for adults 65 years and older and adults with specific health conditions)
• Hepatitis B infection (for adults who have diabetes or are at risk for hepatitis B)

Other vaccinations you may need include those that protect against human papillomavirus (which can cause certain cancers), hepatitis A, chickenpox (varicella), and measles, mumps and rubella.

Ask your doctor which vaccines are recommended for you.

You can also review the Adult Immunization Schedule [PDF - 264 KB] or take this simple quiz to determine which vaccines you need and create a customized printout to take with you to your next medical appointment.

If you aren’t sure which vaccines you’ve received in the past, there are many ways you can find your vaccinations records.

Be the Example!

Your need for immunizations does not end when you reach adulthood. In fact, the need for immunization remains just as strong as when we were children. As adults, we must continue to maintain our own health because our families and loved ones depend on us to care for them and to teach them how to care for themselves. Stay healthy and be a positive role model.

Be an Advocate!

Encourage other adults in your family to check with their doctors for immunizations they may need to help protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Remind your family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to get vaccinated each year against seasonal influenza. If they are up-to-date on all of their vaccinations, they protect themselves and those around them, especially babies too young to be vaccinated.

More Information

• Adolescent and Adult Quiz: What Vaccines Do YOU Need?
• Vaccine Information for Adults
• Adult Immunization Schedule
• Learn about vaccine-preventable adult diseases
• Before you travel…
• Watch a short video on adult [Video - 3:59] vaccines
• AdultVaccination.org