9 vaccines you may need as an adult
When you hear the word “vaccine,” childhood vaccinations are likely what comes to mind. But in reality, vaccines aren’t just for kids. Vaccines also protect adults against serious health complications, and they may help keep your loved ones safe by slowing the spread of illnesses.
Ask your doctor if you need one for these 9 adult vaccines.
Vaccine #1: Flu
You know the symptoms – fever, chills, sore throat, aches and pains. The flu can be very serious for people with other medical conditions.
The influenza vaccine is especially important if you’re over age 65 or if you have a chronic medical condition such as a lung condition, heart disease or diabetes.1 If you don’t want to get a shot, there’s also a nasal spray that’s just as effective. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that people with certain conditions or anyone over the age of 50 should not receive the nasal spray.1
Vaccine #2: COVID-19
COVID-19 is still circulating, and one of the best ways to protect yourself is by getting vaccinated. Currently 2 vaccines are recommended by the CDC: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.3 Talk with your doctor about which option is best for you.
Vaccine #3: Tdap or Td Booster
“Tdap” stands for the 3 potentially deadly diseases the vaccine protects against:4
- Tetanus, which causes painful muscle stiffness and can lead to difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Diphtheria, which may lead to heart failure or paralysis of the muscles involved in breathing
- Pertussis (or whooping cough), which causes uncontrollable coughing that can make breathing difficult
Diphtheria and pertussis can spread through coughing and sneezing. Tetanus is contracted through breaks in the skin. Adults who are exposed to diphtheria or tetanus and aren’t protected against it are at risk of developing heart failure, paralysis or even death.4 With pertussis, adults may experience loss of bladder control and rib fractures due to the intense coughing.4
Vaccine #4: MMR
The MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine comes in 2 doses. It gets its name from the 3 different viral infections it protects against:
- Measles, which causes a fever, rash and cough6
- Mumps, which causes swelling of salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides7
- Rubella, which causes a fever, headache, pink eye and rash8
Measles is the most contagious of the group. In fact, if a person catches it, they can spread it to 90% of the people they come into contact with who are not already immune.9 Those who aren’t vaccinated against measles run the risk of serious complications, including pneumonia or encephalitis (swelling of the brain).10
Vaccine #5: Shingles
Shingles is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child, VZV remains in your body and can flare up as shingles later in life.12 The shingles vaccine also protects you against postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition that affects your nerves after a shingles infection.13
Vaccine #6: Pneumonia
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against several serious infections of the bloodstream and lungs, including pneumonia. Pneumonia can be extremely dangerous, even deadly, in older adults.14 It’s important for everyone over age 65 — as well as younger adults with underlying health conditions — to put this vaccine on their list.
Vaccine #7: Meningitis
Meningitis causes swelling and serious infections of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The condition is commonly spread though saliva, by coughing or kissing.16
There are 2 types of vaccines for meningitis, both provide protection against bacterial meningitis. 17 You can be exposed to meningitis in any public setting, such as work, school or travel.
Vaccine #8: Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can cause long-term health problems. It’s caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is spread through bodily fluids like blood and semen.18 The vaccine is a series of 2 to 4 shots that help protect you from contracting the virus.
Vaccine #9: HPV
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease and in most cases, it goes away on its own.20 However, for some people, the disease can lead to genital warts and several types of cancer. The HPV vaccine helps prevent you from getting infected from the virus.20
Remember: Being up to date on your vaccines is an important part of staying healthy. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines are safe and recommended for you.