It can be hard to know which vaccines you need and when to get them. Vaccine advice can change as you get older. Some vaccines are only needed at certain times in life.
To make it easier, University Health pharmacist Amber Bacak and primary care physician Dr. Amy Cobb explain which vaccines are often recommended for children, teens and adults.
Why Staying on Schedule with Vaccines Matters
“Vaccines have helped make some diseases rare,” Dr. Cobb said. “But these diseases can still spread in many parts of the world.” Dr. Cobb said people who are not vaccinated have a higher risk of getting sick.
Staying up to date on recommended vaccines also helps protect the people around you. When enough people in a community are vaccinated, some diseases have a harder time spreading. This protection is called herd immunity.
If you are not protected, you may be more likely to get sick. You may also miss work, need a doctor’s visit or end up in the hospital.
Did you know?
- An average flu illness can last up to two weeks. Many people miss five or six days of work or school.
- About 1 in 3 adults will develop shingles in their life.
- Each year, about 1 million Americans get shingles.
- Vaccines are an important part of staying heart-healthy.
“The flu and shingles vaccines are strongly recommended for adults older than 50,” Bacak said. “Staying on track with recommended vaccines can help protect you from illnesses that can be prevented.”
Know Which Vaccines to Get by Age
Children have recommended vaccines. Adults do, too. Some vaccines are recommended at certain ages or stages of life.
At your next doctor’s visit, ask your care team which vaccines are right for your age.
Flu
The flu is an infection that affects your nose, throat and lungs. It spreads from person to person through the air. Symptoms 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each fall.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
Bacak said it is best to talk to your primary care team. They can help you learn if you have a higher risk of infection and if the vaccine is right for you.
Shingles
“Shingles infects the nerves and can cause painful blisters, usually on one side of the body,” Bacak said. “The chickenpox virus can stay in your body for years and wake up later in life to cause shingles.”
Adults 50 and older, and adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems, are encouraged to get this vaccine to help prevent shingles and its complications. This vaccine is given in two doses, usually two to six months apart.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
The Tdap vaccine helps prevent tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also called whooping cough. These three bacterial infections can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death.
The Tdap vaccine is for people 7 years and older. Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine every 10 years.
If you are pregnant or live with someone who is about to give birth, your care team may recommend this vaccine. Infants have a higher risk of serious illness from pertussis.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus can cause serious liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer and death. Your care team may encourage you to get the hepatitis B vaccine if you:
- Have diabetes, HIV, kidney disease or liver disease
- Work in public health care
- Use injection drugs
- Are a caregiver who comes into contact with blood
According to the CDC, the hepatitis B vaccine is available to all age groups. Most people need two or three doses over six months.
HPV
People should get this vaccine to lower their risk of human papillomavirus, or HPV, and related cancers. The HPV vaccine is one of the few tools we have to help prevent cancer before it starts.
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for all children ages 9 and older. Adults ages 18 to 26 who were not vaccinated earlier may also need it. Some adults ages 27 to 45 may choose to get the vaccine after talking with their care team.
If a person starts the series after turning 15, they will need three doses instead of two.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, causes a flu-like illness. “In most cases, someone with RSV has mild symptoms that can be treated at home, but it can send some people to the hospital,” Dr. Cobb said.
Infants are at high risk for RSV. Women can get the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Infants can also be immunized after birth during their first RSV season. Some young children may also be eligible during their second RSV season.
There is also a vaccine for adults 75 and older. Some adults ages 50 to 74 with a higher risk of severe RSV illness may also need it.
MMR
MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella. This vaccine protects people from these three highly contagious diseases.
Signs of these infections include cold-like symptoms. They can also lead to serious health problems.
The MMR vaccine requires two doses. The first dose can be given to children ages 12 to 15 months. The second dose is given between ages 4 and 6.
Adults who are not immune need at least one dose. If you are not sure whether you have received the MMR vaccine, talk to your primary care team. You can also request an immunization record from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumonia and meningitis are illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Both can be very dangerous.
Pneumonia affects the lungs. Meningitis can cause infections of the brain and blood.
The pneumococcal vaccine can help protect you from both. It is recommended for children younger than 5 and adults 50 and older. Some people with a higher risk may need it earlier. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or asthma, talk to your primary care team about getting vaccinated.
Meningitis
For the meningitis vaccine, teens starting at age 11 need a two-dose series of the four-component meningitis vaccine, called MenACWY. Some teens starting at age 16 need another two-dose series called MenB. Both vaccines are important, especially for teens going to college.
Vaccination Services at University Health
Wherever you are on your health journey, University Health is a trusted place to get the vaccines you need. Our pharmacists and primary care teams can help you learn which vaccines may be right for you and where to get them.
We make vaccination care easier to access with several options across San Antonio. You can view our walk-in vaccination hours at our eight pharmacy locations. Each year, we also host free drive-thru flu shot events for the community from September to October.
If you are not sure where to start, schedule an appointment with our primary care team. We have primary care clinics throughout Bexar County, including school-based health centers.
Our health centers are located within six local school districts to make care easier to access. You do not need an established primary care doctor to be seen.
Schedule an appointment at any of our seven health centers, located within six school districts. No established primary care doctor needed.
