Vaccines You Need

Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting job. Don’t leave your healthcare provider’s office without making sure you’ve had all the vaccinations you need.

Chickenpox (Varicella)
Var

If you’ve never had chickenpox or were vaccinated but received only 1 dose, talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need this vaccine.

COVID-19
COVID-19

All adults need to be protected from COVID-19. Vaccination needs to be repeated from time to time, either because vaccine protection wears off or because the vaccine needs to be updated in response to changes in the virus that causes COVID-19. Adults who are immunocompromised may need more frequent doses. Consult your healthcare provider to learn if you are up to date.

Diphtheria (DTaP, Tdap, Td)
DTaP

All adults who have not yet received a dose of Tdap, as an adolescent or adult, need to get Tdap vaccine (the adult whooping cough vaccine). Pregnant women need a dose in every pregnancy. After that, you will need a Tdap or Td booster dose every 10 years. Consult your healthcare provider if you haven’t had at least 3 tetanus- and diphtheria-containing shots sometime in your life or have a deep or dirty wound.

Hepatitis A
HepA

You need this vaccine if you have a specific risk factor for hepatitis A infection or if you simply want to be protected from this disease. The vaccine is usually given in 2 doses, 6 to 18 months apart.

Hepatitis B
HepB

You need this vaccine if you have never been vaccinated against hepatitis B infection and you are younger than age 60. Those age 60 and over who have specific risk factors for hepatitis B or who want to be protected also should be vaccinated. There are several different vaccine options for adults: one option is given in 2 doses over 1 month, and others are given as 3 doses over about 6 months.

Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae type B)
Hib

Some adults with certain high-risk conditions need vaccination with Hib. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you need this vaccine.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
HPV

All men and women through age 26 years should receive this vaccine if they haven’t already received it. The vaccine can also be given to men and women through age 45 years. Check with your healthcare provider. The vaccine is given in 3 doses over 6 months.

Influenza (Flu)
Flu

You need a dose every year for your protection and for the protection of others around you.

Measles
MMR

You need at least 1 dose of MMR if you were born in 1957 or later. Many people need a second dose.

Meningococcal Disease
MenACWY / MenB

There are different types of meningococcal vaccines that are recommended for use in adults. People of all ages with certain medical conditions should get vaccinated and some should receive booster doses throughout life. These vaccines may be used to protect people during an outbreak of meningococcal disease.

  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MenACWY: If you are a first-year college student living in a residence hall, you need a dose of MenACWY if you have never received it or received it when you were younger than 16. Adults who are at risk due to certain health conditions (for example, lack a spleen) need this vaccine.
  • Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine or MenB: MenB vaccine may be given to any adult who wants protection from this disease, preferably at 16–23 years of age. Adults who are at risk due to certain health conditions also need this vaccine.

Mpox
Mpox

Adults who engage in certain types of sexual contact should be protected from Mpox infection. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if you need this vaccine. The vaccine is given as two doses, one month apart.

Mumps
MMR

You need at least 1 dose of MMR if you were born in 1957 or later. Many people need a second dose.

Pneumococcal Disease
PCV / PPSV

Adults age 65 years and older have options: they should receive PCV20 pneumococcal vaccine alone or they should receive PCV15 followed a year later by PPSV23. If you have already had one or more pneumococcal vaccines should talk with your healthcare provider about what options you have now. Adults younger than 65 who smoke cigarettes or who have certain medical conditions also should be vaccinated. Talk with your healthcare provider about protecting yourself from pneumococcal disease.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV-mAb

Adults age 60 or older who have not received RSV vaccine should discuss with their healthcare providers whether RSV vaccination is right for them. This one-dose vaccine is most important for people who are frail, have chronic health problems, or who are elderly. In order to protect newborns from RSV, RSV vaccination is recommended during 32 through 36 weeks of pregnancy at certain times of year (typically between September and January).

Rubella
MMR

You need at least 1 dose of MMR if you were born in 1957 or later. Many people need a second dose.

Shingles (Zoster)
Zoster

If you are age 50 years or older you should get this vaccine now. A second dose is needed 2–6 months after the first dose.

Tetanus (Lockjaw)
Tdap / Td

All adults who have not yet received a dose of Tdap, as an adolescent or adult, need to get Tdap vaccine (the adult whooping cough vaccine). Pregnant women need a dose in every pregnancy. After that, you will need a Tdap or Td booster dose every 10 years. Consult your healthcare provider if you haven’t had at least 3 tetanus- and diphtheria-containing shots sometime in your life or have a deep or dirty wound.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Tdap / Td

All adults who have not yet received a dose of Tdap, as an adolescent or adult, need to get Tdap vaccine (the adult whooping cough vaccine). Pregnant women need a dose in every pregnancy. After that, you will need a Tdap or Td booster dose every 10 years. Consult your healthcare provider if you haven’t had at least 3 tetanus- and diphtheria-containing shots sometime in your life or have a deep or dirty wound.

RESOURCES

Addressing Vaccination Anxiety in Adolescents and Adults: Strategies for Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers

This 1-page handout, designed for vaccine recipients and caregivers, describes strategies that can be followed before, during, and after the vaccination visit to improve the vaccination experience for adolescents and adults. Several useful resources are also listed.

Fainting Related to Vaccination: What You Need to Know

Ways to reduce the risk of vaccination-related fainting.

CDC Official Schedule Information

Where To Get Vaccinated

Vaccines are routinely available at doctors’ offices, health centers, and pharmacies. Special vaccination clinics are sometimes held at schools or other public locations. For more information see Where to Get Vaccinated.

This page was updated on .