University Health pharmacists recommend you get these vaccines as an adult. Staying on track with your regular vaccines can help protect you from preventable illnesses, like the flu. See which vaccinations you or your children need based on age.
Flu
The flu is a respiratory tract infection that passes from person to person through the air. Symptoms of the flu include fever, muscle aches, sore throat and cough. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia or death.
The flu vaccine protects you from the highly contagious virus that causes the flu.
The CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get one dose of the flu vaccine every year in the fall.
Shingles
Shingles infects the nerves and can cause painful blisters, usually on one half of the body. The chickenpox virus that has laid dormant for years and gets reactivated causes shingles.
Adults 50 years and older and immunocompromised adults 19 and older are encouraged to get this vaccine to prevent shingles and its complications. This is a two-dose vaccine you get two months apart.
Pneumonia
All adults 65 and older and adults 18 and over who smoke or have chronic medical conditions should get vaccinated. The pneumococcal vaccine protects from bacteria that causes pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. You may need two to three doses, depending on your age and medical conditions.Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine every 10 years.Hepatitis B
The Hepatitis B virus can cause serious liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer and death. Your health care provider may encourage you to get the Hepatitis B vaccine if you:
- Have diabetes, HIV, kidney disease or liver disease
- Are a public health care worker
- Are an injection drug user
- Are a caregiver who comes into contact with blood
According to the CDC, the Hepatitis B vaccine is available to all age groups. You should get two to three doses over a 6-month period.
HPV
Men and women should receive this vaccine to reduce the risk of getting the human papilloma virus and related cancers caused by HPV. HPV can cause cervical and anal cancers.
The CDC recommends that all children ages 9-12 get the HPV vaccine. Adults 18-26 years old not previously vaccinated and some adults 27-45 years old may also need the vaccine.
COVID-19
Protect yourself and others from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. COVID-19 is an easily transmissible respiratory infection. Everyone 6 months and older can get the vaccine.
