Adult Vaccines

Vaccines work with your immune system to help protect you from infections  and disease. As you age, you’re more at risk of certain health conditions because your immune system isn’t as strong as it used to be. And if you do get sick, the symptoms can be more serious.

Four types of vaccines are especially important for older adults, including:

COVID-19 Vaccine—The COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can help protect you from the virus and stop community spread. Talk to your doctor or visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines to find out which vaccines you need, how many doses and when.

Influenza Vaccine—The flu vaccine is recommended for all ages every year, and there are special vaccines for adults older than 65. You need the vaccine every year because the flu virus changes over time.

Zoster or Herpes Zoster Vaccine—The CDC recommends a shingles vaccine called Shingrix for all adults age 50 and older—even if you've already had shingles or received the older vaccine. You'll need two doses, two to six months apart.

Pneumococcal Vaccines—Pneumococcal vaccines can prevent serious infections like pneumonia and meningitis. You need either:

• one dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 20 (PCV20), or
• one dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 15 (PCV15) followed by one dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) a year later

If you've only received the PPSV23 vaccine, talk to your doctor about whether you need a PCV vaccine.