Vaccines protect adults as well as children, and the specific shots you need change with age and health. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone, a tetanus booster every 10 years, and, depending on your age, vaccines against shingles, pneumococcal disease, RSV, COVID-19, hepatitis B, and HPV. TruHealth Primary Care in Locust Grove reviews your immunization history and helps you catch up on what is recommended.
Which vaccines does the CDC recommend for all adults?
Every adult is recommended an annual influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Adults who never received a Tdap should get one dose, then a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years; Tdap is also recommended during each pregnancy. Adults 19 to 59 are recommended hepatitis B vaccination, and those 60 and older should receive it if they have risk factors or request it.
- Flu: one dose every year.
- COVID-19: at least one dose of the current vaccine.
- Tdap/Td: one Tdap if never received, then a booster every 10 years.
- Hepatitis B: recommended for all adults 19 to 59.
Which vaccines are recommended at age 50 and older?
Several vaccines become routine at 50 and 65. A shingles vaccine (two doses) is recommended for all adults 50 and older. Pneumococcal vaccine is now recommended for all adults 50 and older who have not been vaccinated. A single RSV dose is recommended for all adults 75 and older, and for adults 50 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV. Adults 65 and older should receive a higher-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine when available.
- Shingles: two doses starting at age 50.
- Pneumococcal: one dose at age 50 or older if never vaccinated.
- RSV: one dose at 75+, and at 50 to 74 with higher risk.
- Flu at 65+: higher-dose or adjuvanted vaccine preferred when available.
Do adults need the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine prevents the types of human papillomavirus that cause most cervical cancers and other HPV-related cancers. Routine vaccination is recommended through age 26 for those who were not fully vaccinated earlier. Adults ages 27 to 45 can discuss vaccination with their provider, since the benefit is smaller at older ages and depends on prior exposure. The decision is individualized.
What if I do not know which vaccines I have had?
If your immunization records are incomplete, your provider can help you figure out what is needed. Blood tests can check immunity to some diseases, and for others it is safe to simply restart or continue a recommended series. Georgia uses the GRITS immunization registry, which can often retrieve records from participating providers. Starting with what you can document is usually enough to build a plan.
Can I get multiple vaccines in one visit?
In most cases, yes. The CDC advises that flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines can be given at the same visit, and other combinations are common in adult primary care. Catching up on several vaccines at once saves trips and is a good reason to bring your immunization history to a routine visit. TruHealth can review what you are due for and administer recommended vaccines.
Frequently asked questions
What vaccines do adults need?
At what age do adults get the shingles vaccine?
Does TruHealth provide adult vaccines?
Do I need a pneumonia vaccine?
Sources and further reading
Educational purpose: This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health situation.
About the author: Tina Jordan, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and the lead provider at TruHealth Primary Care in Locust Grove, Georgia.