Immunizations are not just for children. Protection from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You may also be at risk for vaccine-preventable disease due to your age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions.

All adults need immunizations to help them prevent getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills, and not being able to care for family.

• 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 once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap booster shot every 10 years. In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.

In addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get HPV vaccine, which protects against the types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) 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 years (can be given starting at age 9 years).
• HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.

The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for all adults age 19 through 59 years. The vaccine provides protection from hepatitis B which can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Vaccines for Adults Age 50 and Older

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

As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken over time, 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 polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and bloodstream infections (recommended for all adults 65 years or older, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain health conditions)

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease and pneumonia (recommended for all adults with a condition that weakens the immune system, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant)

Adults 65 years or older who have never received a dose of PCV13 and do not have one of the conditions described above may also discuss vaccination with their vaccine provider to decide if PCV13 is appropriate for them.

In addition, the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults age 19 through 59 years, and adults age 60 years or older with risk factors for hepatitis B infection. Adults aged 60 years 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.