Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVaccine ImportanceRecommendation FactorsAdult VaccinesPregnancy VaccinesChecking Vaccine Status
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vaccine Importance
Recommendation Factors
Adult Vaccines
Pregnancy Vaccines
Checking Vaccine Status
The vaccines recommended for adults over age 19 vary from those for children. Some are given yearly, while others are recommended at specific ages. Side effects are generally mild if they occur.
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Why Are Vaccines for Adults Important?
Vaccineshelp keep you from getting sick and spreading viruses and bacteria to others.Getting a vaccine can mean you avoid extra medical costs and stay well so you can care for your family, maintain your daily schedule, and don’t miss work.
Vaccines can be highly effective. Though they may not prevent 100% of cases, they can reduce the severity of an illness and may keep you out of the hospital.
What Factors Affect Vaccine Recommendations?
Some vaccines are recommended for almost all adults, but various factors determine which vaccines a person should receive and when, including:
What Vaccines Do Adults Need?
Every adult age 19 and older should stay up-to-date on vaccinations for COVID-19, influenza, and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).Other vaccines depend on age and other factors.
Tdap
Tdap covers the following three serious illnesses:
Children are vaccinated with the DTaP vaccine (the abbreviation for the children’s version) against these illnesses, and preteens (age 11 or 12) receive the Tdap vaccine.
Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine if they didn’t receive a Tdap shot previously. Adults should receive a Tdap or Td boosterevery 10 years.
Influenza Vaccine
Influenza vaccineis generally recommendedonce a yearduring flu season to protect against the strains predicted to be circulating.Theprotection fadesover several months, another reason annual immunization is recommended.
The nasal spray option contains a live virus and is not recommended for certain people, including pregnant people, those with weakened immune systems, or those over age 49.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Adults shouldstay up-to-datewith vaccine recommendations to protect against serious illness from the circulating COVID-19 variants. A single dose of a 2024-2025 updated vaccine is recommended for adults (regardless of previous COVID-19 vaccinations or lack thereof).
People with a weakened immune system may need additional doses. People who recently had a COVID-19 infection can consider waiting three months before receiving an updated vaccine.
If you have questions, talk to a healthcare provider about which COVID-19 shots they recommend.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Thehepatitis B vaccineprotects against hepatitis B, a virus that inflames the liver. Adultsaged 19 through 59should receive a hepatitis B vaccine series.Adults aged 60 and over with risk factors for hepatitis B should complete a vaccine series. It is optional for those aged 60 and over without risk factors.
Shingles Vaccine
Atage 50or over, theShingrix vaccine for shinglesis recommended.Shinglesis a painful reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. It can have serious complications. Vaccination is given as a two-dose series, between two and six months apart.
Shingrix may also be given to adults 19 and over who have a weakened immune system. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if it is recommended for you if you are not yet 50.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Different types ofpneumococcal vaccinesare available, including PCV15, PCV20, PCV21, and PPSV23.Talk to a healthcare provider about which pneumococcal vaccine you should receive, depending on your age and vaccination history.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine
RSV infectioncan cause serious breathing problems in babies and some adults. Atage 60or over, a healthcare provider may recommend RSV vaccination if you are at a higher risk for severe RSV disease, such as having a weakened immune system, chronic health condition, or living in a nursing home.Talk to a healthcare provider to see if it is right for you.
Other Vaccinations
Adults may receive other vaccinations depending on their health risks or previous vaccination status. These include:
Adult Immunizations and Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about vaccines and when to get them. In general, the CDC recommends pregnant people receive:
How to Check Your Vaccination Status
While there is no national database to check your vaccination status, your state may have a registry where you can access this information. Contact your state health department to inquire.
If your state doesn’t maintain a registry, your current and previous healthcare providers may have medical records with your vaccination records, but these may only be maintained for a limited number of years.
You may need to consult with your parents or caregivers who maintained your childhood vaccination records and with previous schools or jobs that required vaccinations.
It is recommended to personally maintain a record of the vaccinations you have received to keep your information current and accurate.This will save you time and inconvenience when the information is needed.
If you don’t have the information and can’t track it down, it’s generally safe to repeat vaccines if you aren’t sure if you’ve previously received one.In some cases, a healthcare provider can order a blood test that can confirm if you are immune to certain diseases. This can prevent unnecessary repeat vaccine doses. Discuss your situation with a healthcare provider.
Summary
Vaccinations prevent serious diseases and also help protect others from acquiring diseases from you. The CDC recommends that adults get certain vaccines, depending on their age, health conditions, type of work, and travel plans. Talk with your healthcare provider to be sure you are up to date on your vaccines.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.Possible side effects from vaccines,Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccines work.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tdap (Tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing seasonal flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Live attenuated influenza vaccine [LAIV] (the nasal spray flu vaccine).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Weng MK, Doshani M, Khan MA, et al.Universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 19–59 years: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep2022;71:477–483. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7113a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccine guidance for pregnant people.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine recommendations before, during, and after pregnancy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with your vaccine records.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.Possible side effects from vaccines,Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccines work.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tdap (Tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing seasonal flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Live attenuated influenza vaccine [LAIV] (the nasal spray flu vaccine).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Weng MK, Doshani M, Khan MA, et al.Universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 19–59 years: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep2022;71:477–483. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7113a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccine guidance for pregnant people.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine recommendations before, during, and after pregnancy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with your vaccine records.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.Possible side effects from vaccines,Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccines work.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tdap (Tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing seasonal flu.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Live attenuated influenza vaccine [LAIV] (the nasal spray flu vaccine).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.Weng MK, Doshani M, Khan MA, et al.Universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 19–59 years: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep2022;71:477–483. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7113a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccine guidance for pregnant people.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: what everyone should know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine recommendations before, during, and after pregnancy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with your vaccine records.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What vaccines are recommended for you.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects from vaccines,
Department of Health and Human Services.Vaccines work.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tdap (Tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing seasonal flu.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Live attenuated influenza vaccine [LAIV] (the nasal spray flu vaccine).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Weng MK, Doshani M, Khan MA, et al.Universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 19–59 years: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2022.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep2022;71:477–483. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7113a1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination: what everyone should know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccination for older adults 60 years of age and over.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV vaccine guidance for pregnant people.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination: what everyone should know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vaccine recommendations before, during, and after pregnancy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Staying up to date with your vaccine records.
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