Vaccines Recommended for Adults

Recommended Immunizations Throughout Adulthood

Although there is an emphasis on getting all your shots and immunizations during your childhood and adolescent years, vaccines help to protect adults. Read on to learn more about which shots are right for you throughout the stages of adulthood.

Vaccines All Adults Need

As we get older, there are certain vaccines that we need to get on a routine basis. According to the to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all adults need to get these two vaccines:

• Influenza (flu) vaccine::Adults should get this vaccine at least once annually.
• Td or Tdap (tetanus shot): Adults should get this shot at least once every 10 years.

Recommended Vaccines for Young Adults

Young adults between the ages of 19 and 26 should get the HPV vaccine, which protects you and others from the human papillomavirus (HPV). This vaccine is important because it helps to protect you from the following health issues

• Most cervical cancers
• Anal cancer
• Genital warts

Although most people get this vaccine around 11 or 12 years old, unvaccinated adults up to 26 can get this vaccine. If you haven’t been vaccinated by the age of 26, it is advised that you talk with your primary care doctor about the effectiveness of getting vaccinated later on.

Recommended Vaccines for Adults Over 50

As we get older, it’s normal for our immune systems to weaken over time, leaving our bodies at an increased risk of infections and certain diseases. Fortunately, there are vaccines for older adults to help them to stay as healthy as possible into their golden years.

The following vaccines are recommended for adults over the age of 50:

• Shingles vaccine: Protects against shingles and shingles-related health complications.
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23): Protects against pneumococcal disease, including meningitis and blood infections.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13): Pneumococcal disease and pneumonia.

If you're unsure about which vaccines you’ve had, be sure to check in with your primary care doctor to make sure you’re up-to-date on your shots.

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With almost 80 physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in nearly 20 specialties, CCH is committed to your wellbeing right here at home. If you have been putting off a visit to your doctor for a regular checkup, contact them; they can help weigh your personal healthcare risk and avoid further delayed diagnoses.

Visit www.cchwyo.org/findadoc to find your provider or clinic.