Childhood vaccinations will not protect you for the rest of your life. As an adult, you still need vaccines to stay healthy and to protect others in your home. Encourage other adults in your family to check with their doctors to find out if they may need immunizations to help protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Adult immunizations protect against diseases such as:

• Seasonal influenza (flu)- Flu vaccine is recommended annually for all adults

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough)- Once Tdap booster is recommended

• Shingles (Zoster)- Vaccine is now approved for adults ages 50-59 years, and recommended for adults 60 years and older.

• Human papilloma virus (HPV)- HPV2 or HPV4 is recommended for women ages 26 years and younger.  HPV4 is now recommended for men through age 21 who have not previously veen vaccinated (Men aged 22 through 26 years may also be vaccinated).

• Pneumococcal disease - Pneumococcal vaccine is recommneded for adults with specific health conditions.

Other vaccinations that you may need include those that protect against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), and measles, mumps and rubella. 

The specific immunizations you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunizations.

Adult Immunization Schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).