About Vaccinations for Adults

Overview

Vaccines help protect against many diseases by training the immune system to recognize specific germs. They may help the body make antibodies and other immune responses that can prevent infection or reduce the risk of severe illness if infection occurs. Many vaccines, also referred to as immunizations, are given during childhood. However, there are many vaccines that are also recommended in adulthood. For adults, some vaccines are generally recommended for:

• Everyone, or all adults
• People in certain age groups
• People with certain risk factors
• People who need booster doses for vaccines they received earlier in life. Some vaccines provide lifelong protection; others may need a booster to maintain protection.

Each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) review vaccine-preventable diseases and update vaccine guidance. These diseases include:

• COVID-19
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Influenza (flu)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella
• Meningococcal disease
• Mpox
• Pneumococcal disease
• Poliovirus
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Tetanus
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Zoster (Shingles)

Below is a summary of these diseases and the vaccines that may help protect against them. These are general recommendations. Vaccine guidance may change as CDC and ACIP update adult immunization recommendations. Ask your healthcare professional which vaccines are right for you and when you should get them.

Some vaccines are recommended for all adults in a certain age group. Others depend on your health conditions, job, travel plans, pregnancy status, immune system, vaccine history, or risk of exposure. A healthcare professional or pharmacist can help you decide which vaccines you may need and when to get them.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)

• COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It spreads easily from person to person. It can cause symptoms like a cold or the flu. Many people have mild to moderate illness, but some people become very sick and need hospital care.
• Who should receive COVID-19 vaccine? CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination based on your age, vaccine history, and current CDC guidance. Vaccination is especially important for older adults, people with certain health conditions, and people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised because they have a higher risk of severe COVID-19.

• What vaccines are available? FDA has advised that COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026–2027 season should be updated to a monovalent JN.1-lineage XFG variant vaccine for use in the United States beginning in fall 2026. The 2026–2027 vaccines include mRNA vaccines and a protein subunit vaccine. Older seasonal formulations should not be used once replaced by the updated season’s vaccines.
  • mRNA vaccines: For the 2026–2027 season, FDA-approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccines include Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty, Moderna’s Spikevax, and Moderna’s mNEXSPIKE. Comirnaty is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 5 through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19. Spikevax is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 6 months through 64 years with at least one underlying high-risk condition. mNEXSPIKE is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 12 through 64 years with at least one underlying high-risk condition.
  • Protein subunit vaccine: For the 2026–2027 season, FDA-approved protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine options include Novavax’s Nuvaxovid. Nuvaxovid is approved for adults ages 65 years and older and for people ages 12 through 64 years with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

• Haemophilus influenzae disease is caused by bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae. Some types can cause serious infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, epiglottitis, cellulitis, and arthritis. Hib vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b, which is one specific type of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria.
• Hib vaccine is usually given in childhood. For adults, Hib vaccination is recommended for certain people at higher risk, including people without a working spleen who were not previously vaccinated and people who have had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
• What vaccines are available?
  • ActHIB, Hiberix, PedvaxHIB

Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is highly contagious. It can spread through close contact with a person who has the virus or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms may include diarrhea, tiredness, fever, joint pain, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, pale or clay-colored stools, belly pain, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Who should receive hepatitis A vaccination? People who are at higher risk for hepatitis A virus infection, including:
  • People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, or autoimmune hepatitis
  • HIV infection
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Injection or noninjection drug use
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Work exposure to hepatitis A virus, such as in a research laboratory
  • Work exposure to people at high risk for HAV infection, such as in group homes or drug rehabilitation facilities
  • Travel to countries with high rates of HAV infection
  • Pregnant people at risk for HAV infection
• What vaccines are available?
  • Havrix, Vaqta
  • There is also a combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine: Twinrix

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or other body fluids. This can happen through sexual contact, injection drug use, birth from a pregnant person with HBV to the infant, or contact with blood in the household. HBV can cause short-term illness or long-term infection. Long-term HBV infection may lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure.
• Who should receive the hepatitis B vaccine?
  • People age 19 through 59 years
  • People age 60 years or older who are at higher risk for HBV infection
  • Risk factors for HBV infection include:
    • Chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis.
    • HIV infection.
    • Sexual exposure risk, including sex partners of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive persons; sexually active persons not in mutually monogamous relationships; persons seeking evaluation or treatment for a sexually transmitted infection; men who have sex with men.
    • Current or recent injection drug use.
    • Risk of exposure to blood, including household contacts of people who have HBV, dialysis patients, or health care personnel.
    • Incarceration.
    • Travel to countries with high or intermediate numbers of people with hepatitis B.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Engerix-B, Heplisav-B, Recombivax HB
  • There is also a combination hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine: Twinrix

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

• HPV infection is a very common viral infection that may cause anal and genital warts, as well as oral and anogenital cancers later in life. HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Many people with HPV do not know they are infected.
• Who should receive the HPV vaccine? The HPV vaccine is usually given during adolescence. Adults ages 27 through 45 who were not fully vaccinated may choose to get HPV vaccine after talking with a healthcare professional about their risk and possible benefit. Routine HPV vaccination is not recommended for all adults in this age range.
• What vaccines are available? Gardasil 9

Influenza (flu)

• Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with influenza viruses, including influenza type A and influenza type B. These viruses cause flu each year during “flu season,” generally October through May. The viruses may change each year, so new flu vaccines are created each year and are usually available starting around September.
• Who should receive influenza vaccine? All people age 6 months and older should receive an annual influenza vaccine each year, unless it is contraindicated, such as for a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine.
• What vaccines are available? Many brands of flu vaccine are available each year. Check with a doctor or pharmacist to see whether a specific flu vaccine is recommended for your individual situation.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

• Measles, mumps, and rubella are very contagious diseases caused by viruses. Each condition causes different symptoms and may lead to serious complications.
• Who should receive the MMR vaccine? MMR vaccine is usually given during childhood. Adults who may need MMR vaccination include healthcare workers, college students, international travelers, and people with HIV who do not have evidence of immunity to measles, mumps, or rubella. Evidence of immunity includes being born before 1957, documentation of receiving MMR vaccine, or blood tests that show immunity.
• What vaccines are available?
  • M-M-R II, Priorix

Meningococcal disease

• Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. It can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections that may become life-threatening within hours. The bacteria spread through close or long contact with respiratory and throat secretions. People at higher risk include certain adolescents and young adults, people with complement component deficiency or complement inhibitor use, people without a working spleen, microbiologists who routinely work with Neisseria meningitidis, military recruits, first-year college students living in residence halls who are not up to date with vaccination, and travelers to areas where meningococcal disease is more common.
• Who should receive meningococcal vaccine? Meningococcal vaccines are usually given during the teen years. Adults who may need meningococcal vaccination include:
  • People with anatomical or functional asplenia, meaning no spleen or reduced spleen function, including people with sickle cell disease
  • People with HIV infection
  • People with immune deficiencies
  • Travelers to countries where exposure to Neisseria meningitidis bacteria may be high
  • First-year college students living in residence halls who were not previously vaccinated
  • Military recruits
• What vaccines are available? Check with a healthcare professional to see whether a specific meningococcal vaccine is recommended for your individual situation.
  • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY): Menvio, MenQuadfi
  • Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB): Bexsero, Trumenba
  • Pentavalent meningococcal (MenABCWY): Penbraya

Mpox

• Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a disease caused by infection with monkeypox virus. It often causes a rash and flu-like symptoms. Some people have pain that makes it hard to eat, drink, or use the bathroom. In some people, mpox can cause severe illness.
• Who should receive the mpox vaccine? Mpox vaccine may be considered for people at higher risk of infection with monkeypox virus, including:
  • Men who have sex with men or their partners who, in the past 6 months, have had:
    • A new diagnosis of at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI)
    • More than 1 sex partner
    • Sex at a commercial sex venue
    • Sex linked to a large public event in a geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring
  • People with immune deficiencies.
  • People who plan to travel to a country where there is an outbreak and anticipate sex with a new or multiple partners.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Jynneos

Pneumococcal disease

• Pneumococcal disease is caused by infection with bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. Streptococcus pneumoniae can spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva and mucus. Pneumococcal disease can cause illnesses including:
  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Meningitis (infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord)
  • Bacteremia (bloodstream infection)
  • Otitis media (middle ear infection) and sinusitis (sinus infection)
• Who should receive pneumococcal vaccine? Ask a healthcare professional which pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for your situation. In general, CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for adults age 50 and older who have never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and for adults ages 19 through 49 who have certain risk factors or medical conditions.
  • People age 50 and older who have never received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
  • People ages 19 through 49 with risk factors or medical conditions, including:
    • Alcohol use disorder
    • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
    • Chronic heart disease
    • Chronic liver disease
    • Chronic lung disease
    • Cigarette smoking
    • Cochlear implant (surgically implanted hearing device)
    • Diabetes
    • Weakened immune system from conditions (“immunocompromising conditions”)
      • Nonfunctional spleen or no spleen
      • HIV infection
      • Kidney failure requiring dialysis
      • Nephrotic syndrome (a type of kidney disease)
      • Sickle cell disease
      • Cancer (including leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin Disease, and multiple myeloma)
      • Solid organ transplant (for example, kidney, liver, lung, or heart)
  • Adults who previously received certain older pneumococcus vaccines such as PCV13
• What vaccines are available?
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV):
    • PCV 15 (Vaxneuvance): This vaccine is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older.
    • PCV20 (Prevnar 20): This vaccine is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older.
    • PCV21 (Capvaxive): This vaccine is approved for use in people 18 years and older.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV): Pneumovax 23. PPSV23 is approved for use in adults age 50 and older and in people age 2 and older who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

Poliovirus

• Poliovirus has been eliminated in most parts of the world because of widespread childhood vaccination. The virus may cause symptoms such as sore throat, fever, fatigue, nausea, or headache. In most cases, symptoms go away on their own after a few days. In rare cases, the virus can cause meningitis, which is infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, or permanent paralysis of the arms or legs. In the most severe cases, poliovirus can cause death. The virus is very contagious and can spread from infected people even if they do not know they are sick. It enters the body through the mouth, such as through contact with contaminated food, toys, or other objects; close contact with an infected person; or eating or drinking food or water contaminated with feces from an infected person. Vaccination is the best way to help protect against poliovirus infection.
• Who should receive the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)? Adults who have not received full vaccination against polio are at risk. Travel to certain countries or occupational exposure can also place people at risk, and booster vaccines may be recommended.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV): This is the only vaccine available in the United States.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• RSV is a common respiratory virus that often causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV illness and need hospital care. RSV infections often occur during the fall and winter months, around the same time as flu season. This can make it hard to tell whether a person has a cold, flu, COVID-19, or RSV. RSV vaccination helps prevent RSV illness. CDC recommends getting vaccinated in late summer or early fall, before RSV usually starts to spread.
• Who should receive the RSV vaccine? For adults, CDC recommends one dose of RSV vaccine for all adults age 75 and older and for adults ages 50 through 74 who have a higher risk of severe RSV disease.
  • People age 75 years and older
  • People ages 50 through 74 who have an increased risk of severe RSV disease. Risk factors for severe RSV disease include:
    • Chronic heart disease
    • Chronic lung disease
    • Kidney disease
    • Liver disease
    • Diabetes
    • Immune deficiencies

Residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities

• • People who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant during September through January. This timing helps pass maternal RSV antibodies to an infant before birth to help protect the infant from severe RSV disease.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Arexvy: This vaccine can be used in older adults.
  • Abrysvo: This vaccine can be used in older adults and pregnant people who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant during September through January.
  • mResvia: This vaccine can be used in older adults.

Tetanus

• Tetanus is a serious disease caused by infection with Clostridium tetani bacteria. It can cause lockjaw, trouble swallowing, involuntary muscle spasms, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
• Who should receive tetanus vaccine? Tetanus vaccine is usually given during childhood. It is usually given in combination with diphtheria and pertussis vaccines. Adults who may need tetanus vaccine include:
  • People who have never received tetanus vaccine
  • People who received a tetanus vaccine more than 10 years ago
  • People who are pregnant
  • People with wounds may need a tetanus booster if they do not know their vaccine history, did not complete the tetanus vaccine series, or had their last tetanus vaccine too long ago. A healthcare professional may recommend a booster if it has been more than 5 years for dirty or major wounds or more than 10 years for clean, minor wounds.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td): Tenivac, Tdvax
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap): Adacel, Boostrix
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP): Daptacel, Infanrix. These vaccines are used for children, not as routine adult tetanus vaccination.

Varicella (chickenpox)

• Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, and fever. It usually causes mild illness. However, it can cause serious illness in infants and people who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems. Serious illness may require hospitalization.
• Who should receive the varicella vaccine? The varicella vaccine is usually given during childhood. For adults, 2 doses of varicella vaccine are recommended for people at high risk of exposure or severe disease, including but not limited to:
  • Healthcare workers
  • Household contacts of people with immune system deficiencies
  • Teachers of young children
  • Childcare providers
  • Staff and residents of institutions such as correctional facilities
  • College students
  • Military personnel
  • People who do not have evidence of immunity may need varicella vaccination. Evidence of immunity for adults includes documentation of varicella vaccination, a blood test showing immunity, birth in the United States before 1980, or a healthcare provider confirming a history of varicella or shingles. Birth in the United States before 1980 should not be used as evidence of immunity for pregnant people, healthcare workers, or people with weakened immune systems.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Varivax

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

• Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Early symptoms can feel like a cold, such as a runny nose, low-grade fever, and mild cough. The cough can become severe and lead to coughing fits. Some people make a high-pitched “whoop” sound when they breathe in after coughing. Contact a doctor right away if you are having trouble breathing.
• Who should receive the pertussis vaccine? Pertussis vaccine may not fully prevent disease, but it can help reduce the severity of illness. Pertussis vaccination is recommended for:
  • Pregnant people during weeks 27 through 36 of each pregnancy, given as Tdap vaccine
  • Adults who have never received pertussis vaccine, given as Tdap vaccine
• What vaccines are available? Pertussis vaccine is available in combination vaccines:
  • DTaP (Daptacel, Infanrix): This combination vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is given to children between ages 2 months and 6 years. It may also be combined with additional vaccines for polio, hepatitis B, and invasive Hib disease.
  • Tdap (Adacel, Boostrix): This combination vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is given to people age 7 years and older.

Zoster (Shingles)

• Shingles is a painful rash that can happen when the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) becomes active again in the body. VZV is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus stays in the body and can reactivate later as shingles. Shingles can be treated with antiviral medicine, but it may cause a long-term complication called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which causes nerve pain. The zoster vaccine can help prevent shingles.
• Who should receive the zoster vaccine? The zoster vaccine is recommended for:
  • People age 50 and older. It is given as a 2-dose series, with doses given 2 to 6 months apart.
  • The zoster vaccine is also recommended for people age 19 and older who are or will be immunocompromised because of disease or therapy.
• What vaccines are available?
  • Shingrix