You still need immunizations when you reach adulthood.
Which vaccines you need as an adult will depend on your age, lifestyle, overall health, travel plans, and whether or not you are pregnant. They will also depend on who you are in close contact with and what vaccines you had as a child. You will need tetanus and diphtheria shots every 10 years in order to keep your immunity.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works with experts and recommends specific immunization schedules each year. The schedules outline the immunizations and booster shots needed. They also show when catch-up immunizations should be given. Go to cdc.gov/vaccines/ schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html for more information.
Recommended immunizations
Immunizations given during adulthood may include:
- Flu (influenza).
- Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) or Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap).
- COVID-19.
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) or pneumococcal conjugate.
- Shingles (herpes zoster).
Other immunizations
You may need or want other immunizations if you may be at greater risk for exposure to disease, such as when traveling to other countries. Or you may have missed shots when you were younger. These immunizations may include:
- Chickenpox (varicella).
- Hepatitis A (Hep A).
- Hepatitis B (Hep B).
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
- Human papillomavirus (HPV).
For more information on the importance of being vaccinated, email contactknovasolutions@workpartners.com or call 1-800-355-0885. We are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Healthwise Inc. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.