Health Department

Adult Vaccinations

Common

• Flu (influenza): All adults need a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults.
• Tdap vaccine: Every adult should get a Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough).
  • Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap booster shot every 10 years

Adults 19 – 26

• It’s recommended to get the HPV vaccine, which protects against the types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) that cause most cervical, anal, and other cancers, as well as genital warts. CDC recommends:
  • HPV vaccination for all preteens at age 11 or 12 years (can be given starting at age 9 years).
  • HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.
  • Adults aged 27-45 years may receive the vaccine based on shared clinical decision making with the nurse.
• Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults age 19 through 59 years. The vaccine provides protection from hepatitis B which can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Adults 50 years or older

• As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken over time, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. This is why, in addition to seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), you should also get:
  • Shingles vaccine, which protects against shingles and the complications from the disease (recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older)
  • Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and bloodstream infections (recommended for all adults 65 years or older, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain health conditions)
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20), which protects against serious pneumococcal disease and pneumonia (recommended for all adults with a condition that weakens the immune system, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant)
  • Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all adults age 19 through 59 years, and adults age 60 years or older with risk factors for hepatitis B infection. Adults aged 60 years or older without any known risk factors for hepatitis B infection may get the hepatitis B vaccine.

Pregnant

• Tdap vaccine: Women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.
• The flu shot (during flu season, which is October through May) to help protect against influenza.
• Postpartum vaccination will help protect you from getting sick and you will pass antibodies to your baby through your breastmilk.

You may also need other vaccines. Visit Vaccines for Pregnant Women to learn more.

Infants

Recommendations

• Talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider to find out which vaccines are recommended for you at your next medical appointment.