Getting vaccinated is one of the safest ways for you to protect your health. Vaccines help prevent getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills, and not being able to care for family. Everyone should make sure they’re up to date on these routine vaccines:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Flu vaccine (influenza)
- Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria)
- You may need other vaccines too. Continue reading for a summary of vaccinations needed based on age.
19 to 26 Years
All adults ages 19 to 26 years should make sure they’re up to date on these vaccines:
- Chickenpox vaccine (varicella)
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Flu vaccine (influenza)
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- HPV vaccine (human papillomavirus)
- MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)
- Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
You may need other vaccines based on your age or other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you. These may include:
- MenB vaccine (meningococcal disease) – for adults up through 23 years of age
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans that cover children allow parents to add or keep children on the health insurance policy until they turn 26 years old.
27 to 49 Years
All adults ages 27 to 49 years should make sure they’re up to date on these vaccines:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Flu vaccine (influenza)
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)
- Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
You may need other vaccines based on your age or other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you. These may include:
- Chickenpox vaccine (varicella) – if born 1980 or later
- HPV vaccine (human papillomavirus)
50 to 64 Years
All adults ages 50 to 64 years should make sure they’re up to date on these vaccines:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Flu vaccine (influenza)
- Shingles vaccine (zoster)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td (tetanus and diphtheria)
You may need other vaccines based on your age or other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you. These may include:
- Hepatitis B vaccine – recommended for all adults up through 59 years of age
- MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)—if born 1957 or later
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – adults ages 60 years and older should talk to their healthcare provider about getting a single dose of RSV vaccine
65 Years and Older
As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken over time, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. All adults ages 65 and older should make sure they’re up to date on these vaccines:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Flu vaccine (influenza)
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Shingles vaccine (zoster)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td (tetanus and diphtheria)
You may need other vaccines based on your age or other factors, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you. This may include:
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – adults ages 60 years and older should talk to their healthcare provider about getting a single dose of RSV vaccine
Learn more at cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html. The Wellness Coalition will share information about vaccination clinics and education opportunities throughout the River Region in 2024.