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Vaccines & Immunization

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Adults Should Continue to Receive Vaccines, Too

It isn’t just children that are susceptible to communicable diseases, and the vaccines recommended for children versus adults are different. At different life stages, we become more susceptible to certain diseases depending on our age, lifestyle, job, travel habits and individual health concerns.

As we age, getting our flu shot becomes even more important because influenza is more likely to cause severe illness in individuals ages 65 and older. Or you may work in an environment that puts you at greater risk of exposure to infections that are less likely in the general population.

Recommended Vaccines for Adults

While this may sound complicated, it doesn’t have to be. Medical and public health experts with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommend standardized vaccine schedules for infants, children, youth, and adults, which are approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This is the same schedule that your doctor uses when recommending vaccines for you.

Which Routine Vaccines Should Adults Consider?

Here’s an overview of vaccines that you’ll want to consider if you are age 19 or older.

Flu: All adults should get a flu vaccine each year before the end of October.

Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis A and B are viruses that infect the liver. Certain individuals who are at greater risk should consider vaccination for hepatitis A. Vaccination for hepatitis B is recommended for all adults up to age 59.

Shingles: Almost one out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. If you have ever had chickenpox, you can get shingles. CDC recommends two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) to prevent shingles and related complications in adults 50 years and older. Shingrix is also recommended for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy.

Learn more: Shingles Vaccination

Tetanus, diphtheria (Td): Everyone should get a Td vaccine every 10 years.

Learn more: Tetanus Vaccination

Pneumococcal (Pneumonia): Pneumococcal disease is common in young children, but older adults are at greatest risk of serious illness and death.

Learn more: Pneumococcal Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know

Other vaccines: There are other vaccines that some adults may want to consider depending on their health conditions, job or lifestyle, or if they plan to travel to other countries where certain vaccines are recommended. Speak with your doctor about any special circumstances that may apply to you.

If you aren’t sure which vaccines you have already had, see this page for more information about where to find your vaccination records.

Content in this section adapted from materials created by the CDC.

Assessment Tool

You can also see which vaccines may be recommended for you using this assessment tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Just answer a few questions and find out which vaccines you might need!

Questions?

If you have any questions about what vaccines you should consider, we recommend that you contact your doctor for guidance for your specific situation.

If you have questions about general vaccine recommendations, contact us at IAPSupport@srhd.org or 509.324-1611.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Don’t forget about COVID-19 vaccines! See the following information for families.

For You and Your Family

Travel

Traveling soon? Depending on where you’re headed, you may want to consider additional vaccinations that are recommended prior to travel to your destination. See For Travel for more information.

SOURCES

"Flu & People 65 Years and Older,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified June 23, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm.

“Shingles Vaccination,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified January 4, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccination.html.

“Growing Up with Vaccines: What Should Parents Know?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last modified July 2018, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/growing/images/global/CDC-Growing-Up-with-Vaccines.pdf.