Adults Immunization Recommendations

Adults Immunization Recommendations

What Vaccines Do I Need?

Check your immunization status against the current vaccine recommendations for adults.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Immunization Schedules

Immunization Recommendations for Specific Populations


Commonly Recommended Vaccines for Adults

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all susceptible travelers to, or for persons working in, countries with intermediate or high rates of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for adults in certain high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and persons with multiple sex partners. Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for all adolescents who may not have received it during infancy or childhood.

Human Papillomavirus vaccine is available for males and females nine through 26 years of age to protect against genital warts and cervical cancer.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for adults 50 years of age or older, pregnant women and residents of long-term care facilities, as well as for persons older than six months of age who have serious medical conditions.

MMR adults born after 1956 need to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella.

Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for adults who may at increased risk for meningococcal disease and/or bacterial meningitis, an infection of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

All adults aged 65 or older, as well as persons aged two to 64 years who have diabetes or chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disorders need protection against pneumococcal disease, and should consult their healthcare providers regarding their need for this vaccine.

Shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older to prevent shingles, also known as herpes zoster.

The tetanus and diphtheria vaccine is recommended for adults every ten years. The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine may be given in place of the Td booster to provide protection against pertussis.

Many adults, including teachers of young children and day care workers, residents and staff in institutional settings, military personnel, nonpregnant women of childbearing age, international travelers, healthcare workers and family memebers of immunocompromised persons, who have not had chickenpox and have not been immunized previously against chickenpox should receive varicella vaccine.