Vaccines for adults: Which do I need?

Think you're done with vaccines because you're not a kid anymore? Think again. Adults need them too. Here's what you need to know.

Health agencies often consider several factors when making vaccine recommendations for adults. These can include:

• Age.
• Health history.
• Travel destinations.
• Sexual activity.
• Lifestyle.
• Your job.
• Vaccinations you've had before.

Talk to your parents or other caregivers, if possible. Ask if they have records of your childhood shots. You also can check with your healthcare professional's office to see if your vaccine history is on file there.

You may need to check with healthcare organizations where you received care when you were younger. Or it may be helpful to check with your schools or employers who required vaccinations. Your state health department might have a list of your vaccines.

If you can't find your records, your healthcare professional might be able to do blood tests. These tests can see if you are immune to certain diseases that vaccines can prevent. You may need to get some vaccines again.

Talk to your healthcare professional about your specific needs. Vaccines you may need as an adult include:

• COVID-19. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can help prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill or dying due to COVID-19.
• Flu. To prevent the flu, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone age 6 months and older who doesn't have a medical reason to avoid the vaccine. The flu, also called influenza, can cause serious health problems in older adults. Adults 50 and older and pregnant people should get the flu vaccine as a shot, not as a nasal spray.
• Hepatitis B. The AAFP recommends that all adults ages 19 to 59 receive the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine also is recommended for adults 60 and older who have risk factors for hepatitis B.

  This vaccine is not specifically recommended for people 60 and older who don't have known risk factors. But if you are in that group, you may receive the hepatitis B vaccine if you want it. Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV). The AAFP recommends the HPV vaccine for children between ages 9 and 14. But if you didn't receive the HPV vaccine at that time, you can get it later as a teen or as a young adult. It's recommended for everyone through age 26.

  The HPV vaccine also may be useful for some adults ages 27 through 45. If you're in that age group and you haven't received the HPV vaccine, ask your healthcare professional if it might be right for you. HPV is a common virus that can cause cancer.

• Pneumococcal. The AAFP recommends the pneumococcal vaccination for adults age 65 and older. Younger adults at increased risk of pneumococcal disease also might need a dose of the vaccine. Pneumococcal disease causes infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The AAFP recommends the RSV vaccine for adults 75 and older. It also recommends the vaccine for adults 50 and older who are at a higher risk of serious health problems, such as pneumonia, if they get RSV. The AAFP also recommends the vaccine to pregnant people between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy if those weeks fall during September through January. The pregnancy recommendation applies to most areas of the U.S., but where you live makes a difference. Ask your healthcare professional if you need the RSV vaccine during pregnancy.
• Shingles. The AAFP recommends the vaccine Shingrix for most adults age 50 and older. It's given in two doses. While not life-threatening, shingles can lead to postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that can be extremely painful and last for months, even years. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap). One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. If you've never had a Tdap vaccine, the AAFP recommends getting it as soon as possible. One dose of Tdap vaccine also is recommended during each pregnancy, ideally between weeks 27 and 36.

  The Tdap vaccine can protect you from lockjaw, which also is called tetanus. Tdap can protect you from whooping cough, which also is called pertussis. Tdap also can protect you from diphtheria, which can lead to breathing problems. A Tdap booster shot is recommended every 10 years.

To help you keep track of your vaccines, ask your healthcare professional for an immunization record form. Bring the form with you to all your healthcare visits. Ask a member of your care team to sign and date the form for each vaccine you receive.