Adults Need Vaccines, Too

Your need for immunization doesn’t end when you become an adult. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious diseases.

Regardless of age, we all need immunizations to protect against serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. Protection from vaccines you received as a child can wear off over time, and more vaccines are now available.

Find Out Which Vaccines You Need

The specific vaccines you need as an adult are determined by your age, job, lifestyle, health conditions, travel destinations, and which vaccines you’ve had in the past. Throughout your adult life, vaccines are recommended for protection against:

Seasonal influenza (flu) (for all adults)
Pertussis (whooping cough) (for all adults who have not previously received the Tdap vaccine and for women during each pregnancy)
Tetanus and diphtheria (every 10 years following Tdap vaccine)
Shingles (for adults 50 years and older)
Pneumococcal disease (for adults 65 years and older and adults younger than 65 who have specific health conditions or who smoke cigarettes)

Graphic: What vaccines do you need? Take this quiz to find out.

Take this quiz to find out which vaccines may be recommended for you. This quiz generates a customized list of vaccines for you to discuss with your doctor.

Other vaccines you may need include those that protect against human papillomavirus(which can cause certain cancers), meningococcal disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella..

Ask your doctor which vaccines are right for you.

Getting Vaccinated

Immunization is one of the safest ways for you to protect your health. Vaccine side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Severe side effects are very rare.

Make sure you are up to date on recommended vaccines. Use the Adult Vaccine Finder to find out where to get vaccinated in your area.

Adults can get vaccines at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, health departments, and other locations. To find a place near you to get a vaccine, visit the HealthMap Vaccine Finder.

Most health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines. Check with your insurance provider for details and for a list of vaccine providers. If you do not have health insurance, visit www.healthcare.gov to learn more about health insurance options.