Vaccines are often thought of as a childhood thing, but adults need them too. Protection from some childhood vaccines fades over time, new vaccines become relevant as you age, and certain jobs, travel plans, or health conditions add their own requirements. This guide walks through the adult vaccines you may be missing so you can review your record and close any gaps.
Recommendations vary by region and person
Exact schedules and eligibility differ across the US, UK, Canada, and EU, and depend on your age, health conditions, pregnancy status, and occupation. Use this as an overview, then confirm specifics with a clinician or pharmacist.
Vaccines to consider every year
- Flu (influenza): recommended annually for most adults because the virus changes each season
- COVID-19: updated doses are advised periodically, especially for older adults and those at higher risk
Periodic boosters for adults
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Td/Tdap): a booster roughly every 10 years, and a Tdap in each pregnancy
- These protect against tetanus from wounds and whooping cough, which can be serious for infants nearby
Vaccines for older adults
As immunity wanes with age, several vaccines become important in your 50s and 60s and beyond.
- Shingles: typically recommended from around age 50, since the chickenpox virus can reactivate painfully later in life
- Pneumococcal: protects against some pneumonia and bloodstream infections, usually advised for older adults and those with certain conditions
- RSV: increasingly offered to older adults and during pregnancy in some regions
Risk-based and catch-up vaccines
- HPV: can be given to adults up to a certain age who missed it earlier, helping prevent several cancers
- Hepatitis A and B: for those with risk factors, certain jobs, or travel needs
- Vaccines for chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or a weakened immune system
Travel vaccines
If you are travelling internationally, some destinations require or recommend vaccines such as yellow fever, typhoid, or others. Plan a travel-health review four to six weeks before departure, since some vaccines need time to take effect or come in multiple doses.
Severe reactions are rare but need fast action
Serious allergic reactions to vaccines are very uncommon, but if anyone develops difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or collapse shortly after a vaccine, treat it as an emergency. Call 911 (US/CA), 999 (UK), or 112 (EU) immediately.
A good first step is to gather your vaccination records and note any gaps or uncertainties. A clinician or pharmacist can then tell you exactly which vaccines you need and when. Connect with a verified doctor on iHealix to review your immunization history and build a personalized catch-up plan.