What Vaccines Do Adults Need to Prevent Illnesses?

Many adults think they’re safe because of childhood vaccines. However, immunity from some vaccines can fade over time. This means booster shots are needed. The risk for certain diseases, such as shingles, also goes up with age. 

“As we get older, we are still at risk of catching certain infectious diseases that can lead to hospitalization, or worse,” says Dr. Yale. 

Misconceptions about vaccines can cause confusion and hesitancy. “But the truth is that staying up to date with vaccinations is critical for adults just as it is for children,” Dr. Yale says.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s adult vaccine schedule is a guide for people 19 and older. 

Here are the key vaccines that adults should consider:  

Adults should get a flu shot every year to reduce their risk of serious illness. 

The vaccine is updated every year. It targets the most common strains of the influenza virus for the upcoming flu season.

The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years and older. People in this age group have a higher risk of getting shingles. This condition causes a painful, blistering rash on one side of the body and can take weeks to heal. 

Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus remains dormant in the body and can reactivate as shingles later in life. 

The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, meningitis and infections in the bloodstream. The vaccine is recommended for older adults, especially those 65 and older. 

Higher risk adults, like those with chronic health problems, may need the vaccine sooner.

The HPV vaccine helps protect against infections that can cause cervical, anal and other cancers. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.  

HPV vaccination is recommended for children at ages 11 and 12, but it can start as early as age 9. If a person gets their first dose before age 15, they only need two doses. If they get their first dose at age 15 or older, they need three doses.  

HPV vaccination is not usually recommended for people over 26. Most people in this age group have likely been exposed to HPV. However, adults aged 27 to 46 who have not been fully vaccinated may still benefit from the vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine remains vital for all adults. It helps reduce the risk of coronavirus and respiratory illness, which can cause mild to severe symptoms.

The Tdap vaccine protects against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Adults should get a booster shot every 10 years to maintain immunity. 

Adults who are around infants, like parents, grandparents and caregivers, should get vaccinated.  

Several vaccines are either required or recommended for people traveling to countries where infectious diseases that aren’t common in the U.S. are prevalent. 

“Scripps Health has travel vaccine clinics that offer protection against diseases like typhoid fever and hepatitis A that can be contracted when traveling abroad,” Dr. Yale says. 

“Review guidelines before traveling out of the country and make sure you’re protected. The whole point of vaccines is to prevent contracting and carrying an infectious disease in you,” he says. 

If you are concerned about vaccine side effects, Dr. Yale has some advice. He says that “in almost all cases, the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risk.” 

Side effects can vary for each person and each vaccine. The most common side effect is arm pain that can last a few days. 

“If you’re concerned about potential side effects or allergies, it’s important to speak to your doctor,” Dr. Yale adds.

Vaccines are accessible through various health settings, including doctor’s offices, pharmacies, health clinics, workplace programs, schools and colleges. Many people have access to vaccines at a reduced or no direct cost through insurance and public health programs. 

Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you. Then, call or visit their website to make an appointment.

Your primary care physician can remind you to get your routine vaccines, but “I always recommend that patients be their own health advocate no matter what,” Dr. Yale says.  

Because people can get vaccines outside of their doctor’s office, records can fall through the cracks. “Keep your own vaccination card or record in a file folder that you can review with your doctor on a regular basis.” 

And, if you are a Scripps patient, be sure to update any vaccines received outside of Scripps in the MyScripps patient portal to keep them accurate and up to date.

Vaccine hesitancy can prevent people from getting vaccinated. Many concerns stem from misinformation and fear of side effects.

Education helps reduce vaccine hesitancy. It’s important to understand that vaccines undergo strict testing to make sure they are safe and effective. Only after this testing are they approved for public use. 

Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about vaccines. They can explain the benefits of vaccination and how vaccines work. They can also clear up any misunderstandings you might have and provide facts to ease your concerns.