What You Need to Know About Adult Vaccinations

When our children are young, we make sure that they are routinely vaccinated to help avoid or minimize preventable disease; but as adults, how aware are we of our own need for up-to-date vaccines?

While exact recommendations will vary among individuals based on health, lifestyle, or risk factors, there are some helpful guidelines issued by the medical community regarding adult vaccines.

Generally speaking, all adults need an annual Influenza (flu) vaccine to help prevent the spread of illness to the most susceptible. And all adults will need to be vaccinated against pertussis (aka whooping cough), as well as tetanus and diphtheria. Typically, adults will have received Tdap in adolescence, requiring only a booster shot once every 10 years. Women who become pregnant are advised to get the Tdap again between 27 and 36 weeks gestation.

When it comes to other vaccines you may need as an adult, you’ll want to discuss your needs with a pharmacist or physician. Depending upon your age, lifestyle, health conditions, career, international travel and previous vaccines, you may need more—or less—shots than you think.

The two most common additional vaccines include: pneumococcal vaccines to protect against pneumococcal disease, which includes infections in the lungs and bloodstream; and the zoster vaccine, which provides protection against shingles.

If you would like to keep track of your vaccines without having to rely upon memory, the government offers some sound tips on the CDC web site.