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This Article is Part of the Packet "Preventing Illness with Your Doctor"Also in This Packet:
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Send to friendVaccination Guidelines for Adults
This table gives general guidelines on adult vaccinations. Check with the doctor of the person you support for questions about specific conditions.
For guidelines with a star (*), you should talk to the person's doctor.
| Vaccine: | 19-49 years old: | 50-64 years old: | 64 years or older: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Individuals with a chronic health problem or in close contact with at-risk individuals need a dose every fall or winter. | Individuals need a dose every fall or winter. | |
| Pneumococcal | Individuals who smoke cigarettes or have certain chronic conditions need 1 or 2 doses in their life. | Individuals need one dose if they have not been vaccinated. | |
| Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussus (Td or Tdap) | Individuals who have not had at least 3 tetanus-and-diphtheria-containing shots ("Td shots") sometime in their life, need to get them now. They should start with dose #1, followed by dose #2 in a month, and dose #3 in 6 months. All adults need Td booster doses every 10 years. If they are younger than age 65 years and haven’t had a pertussis-containing vaccine as an adult, they should have a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine—known as "Tdap." | ||
| Hepatitis B | Individuals need this vaccine if they are at high risk for hepatitis B infection* or simply wish to be protected from this disease. The vaccine is given as a 3-dose series (dose #1 now, followed by dose #2 in 1 month, and dose #3, usually given 5 months after dose #2). | ||
| Hepatitis A | Individuals need this vaccine if they are at high risk for hepatitis A infection* or simply wish to be protected from this disease. The vaccine is usually given as 2 doses, 6–18 months apart. | ||
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | Women need this vaccine if they are age 26 years or younger. The vaccine is given in 3 doses over 6 months. | ||
| Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) | Individuals need at least 1 dose of MMR if they were born in 1957 or later. They may also need a 2nd dose.* | ||
| Varicella (Chicken Pox) | If the individual never had chickenpox or was vaccinated but only received 1 dose, talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need this vaccine. | ||
| Meningococcal | Individuals with certain medical conditions should receive this vaccine.* | ||
| Zoster (shingles) | Individuals who are age 60 years or older should get this vaccine now. | ||
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Last updated on March 26th, 2010