[5 MIN READ]

In this article:

• In addition to annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines, some adults need other immunizations and boosters, too, such as for shingles.

• If you’re traveling to another country, you should check online for which vaccines you need to get.

• The best way to stay on schedule with your vaccines is to schedule an annual wellness visit with your primary care provider.

Yes, adults need vaccines too — here’s why

You may remember the days of childhood wellness visits, when you would anxiously ask your parents whether you needed any shots at this visit—and your parents would tell you how important those vaccines were.

Well, those days aren’t over, because adults need vaccines just as much as children do. “Vaccines remain some of the very best tools to avoid illnesses,” says Robert Lichfield, D.O., a family medicine doctor at Providence Urgent Care – Providence Medical Park. “They’re right up there with sterile techniques for the great triumphs of Western medicine.”

Why adult immunizations are important

According to Dr. Lichfield, vaccines for adults are vital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines every year. Others, such as the shingles vaccine or pneumococcal vaccine, are reserved for later in life when certain health risks increase, especially for people with weakened immune systems. 

Vaccines are tailored to the stage of life and are typically available at your doctor’s office or local department of health. “For example,” Dr. Lichfield says, “college students receive vaccines against meningitis because of the higher risk of dorm outbreaks. Meanwhile, older adults are more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases like pneumonia, making them essential as we age.” 

Vaccination isn’t just about personal health; it’s about community protection. When a large portion of the population is immunized, it limits the spread of infectious disease and serious illness. This concept is called herd immunity.

For example, even though flu vaccines are only 60-65% effective, they reduce transmission dramatically by preventing multiple secondary cases for each person protected. For older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems, it can make a genuine difference in their overall health.

Vaccines adults need at every age

It can be hard to keep track of which vaccines you need and when you need them, so we’ve developed an adult immunization schedule by age:

• Ages 19-49 – These adults need a yearly flu vaccine, and those who have not previously received it may need a COVID-19 vaccine. They also need a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Ages 50 and older – In addition to flu and COVID-10 vaccines, people over 50 should have pneumococcal and shingles vaccines.
• Ages 59 and younger – People in this age group should get a hepatitis B vaccine.

Additionally, adults should have a Tdap or Td (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster every 10 years. 

Health care workers, in particular, need to stay up to date with vaccinations because of their exposure to infectious diseases. “Personally, I recommend getting any vaccine offered,” says Dr. Lichfield. “As someone who sees patients every day, I take every precaution to avoid getting sick, and encourage other health care workers to do the same.”

Special considerations for certain groups

There are some groups of people who particularly need vaccinations. These include:

• Pregnant women – People who are expecting need flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccinations.
• Travelers – If you’re traveling internationally, you need a measles vaccination, as well as any other vaccines that are recommended by the country to which you are traveling. The CDC publishes a list of vaccines needed by country.
• People with chronic conditions – Those living with certain health issues need all of the vaccinations above, plus any extras recommended by their doctor. 

What happens if you skip adult vaccines?

If you don’t keep up to date with adult vaccines, you could put yourself at risk for serious and even life-threatening complications from diseases. “Vaccines activate the immune system to create a preemptive defense against several serious health conditions,” says Dr. Lichfield. “They stimulate our body to produce molecules that will fight off infections and serious illness if we encounter them in the future. Different types of vaccines work in slightly different ways, but the goal is the same: to switch on immune responses and develop reliable immunity against specific medical conditions.”

This immunity not only protects you, but it also acts as a deterrent for people around you. Some of your friends and family members (infants, for example) may be unable to get certain vaccines. So, if you get a vaccine, you’re making it less likely that they will become ill from exposure to you.  

How to stay on schedule

Admittedly, it can be difficult to keep track of which vaccines you’ve had, and when—but fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Your Providence provider keeps a careful record of all your immunizations, and they can remind you when it’s time for a booster or one of your annual shots, too.   

It’s also important to keep up with your annual wellness visits. Not only does this give your provider an opportunity to remind you about important immunizations, but they can also check out other aspects of your health to help you prevent or manage chronic diseases. 

Providence is committed to helping its patients stay well. Recently, we hosted a Talk With a Doc podcast that discussed immunizations for adults. 

So — have you had all the immunizations discussed above? If not, it’s time to contact your primary care provider or book an appointment through Providence ExpressCare Virtual! 

Contributing caregivers

Robert Lichfield, D.O., is a family medicine doctor at Providence Urgent Care – Providence Medical Park.

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Related resources

What to know when preparing for pregnancy

Recognizing RSV

Understanding measles: What you need to know

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.