Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          Enter the terms you wish to search for.
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations                  
Immunization
  Vaccine Basics
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Who and When
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Get Involved
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      About Us

              

    



Breadcrumb
    HHS
                              Immunization Information for You and Your Loved Ones
                              Who and When
                              Vaccines for Adults
                              Adults Age 65 and Older


    

    

    Navigate to:
  Immunization Highlights
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Basics
                                            
            
            Vaccine Ingredients
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Safety
                          
            
            Vaccine Side Effects
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccine Types
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Work
                          
            
            Vaccines Protect You
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines Protect Your Community
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Vaccines by Disease
                                            
            
            Chickenpox (Varicella)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Cholera
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      COVID-19
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Diphtheria
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Flu (Influenza)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis A
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hepatitis B
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Measles
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Meningococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mpox (Formerly Monkeypox)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Mumps
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pneumococcal
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Polio
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rabies
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rotavirus
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Rubella (German Measles)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Tetanus (Lockjaw)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Typhoid Fever
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Yellow Fever
    
                                                  
                                                                                        
                          
      
      
      
      Who and When
                                            
            
            Infants, Children, and Teens
                          
            
            Infants and Children Birth Through Age 6
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Preteens and Teens Ages 7 Through 18
    
                                                                
                                                                                        
                          
      
      
      
      Adults
                          
            
            Adults Ages 19 Through 26
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Adults Ages 27 Through 64
    
                                                  
                                                                  
                          
      
      
      
      Adults Age 65 and Older
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Pregnant Women
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Travelers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      People with Health Conditions
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Health Care Workers
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Gay or Bisexual Men
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Military Members
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Vaccinated
                                            
            
            How to Pay
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Adults
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      What to Expect - for Parents
                          
            
            Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Where to Go
    
                                                  
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Get Involved
                                            
            
            Explore Vaccination in Your Community
    
                                                                
                                                                  
            
      
      
      
      Spread the Word!
                          
            
            Graphics
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Widgets and Web Badges
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Toolkits
    
                                                  
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Get More Information
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      About UsLanguages
      English
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Español (Spanish)Text resize icon

                    




Adults Age 65 and Older








  
  
    

  
      



Vaccines are especially important for older adults. As you get older, your immune system weakens and it can be more difficult to fight off infections. You’re more likely to get diseases like the flu, pneumonia, and shingles — and to have complications that can lead to long-term illness, hospitalization, and even death.

If you have an ongoing health condition — like diabetes or heart disease — getting vaccinated is especially important. Vaccines can protect you from serious diseases (and related complications) so you can stay healthy as you age.

Getting vaccinated can help keep you, your family, and your community healthy.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for adults age 65 and older.

Which vaccines are recommended for adults age 65 and older?

Check this easy to read vaccine schedule (PDF - 148KB) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find out which vaccines are recommended for adults age 65 and older.

Vaccine calendar
Find the right vaccines for you

You may also need other vaccines — for example, if you’re planning to travel outside the United States. Learn more about vaccines for:

Gay or bisexual men
	Health care workers
	Military members
	People with health conditions
	Pregnant women
	TravelersDoes Medicare cover vaccines for older adults?

Medicare Part B covers vaccines that protect against the flu and pneumococcal disease — and the hepatitis B vaccine if you’re at increased risk for hepatitis B. It also covers vaccines that you might need after an injury (like the tetanus vaccine) or coming into contact with a disease (like the rabies vaccine).

Medicare Part D plans generally cover more vaccines than Part B. But depending on your Medicare Part D plan, you may have out-of-pocket costs for these vaccines. Contact Medicare to find out what’s covered.

Did you know? There is a high-dose flu vaccine and an adjuvanted flu vaccine, which includes an adjuvant (substance) that creates a stronger immune response. Both vaccines are designed to be more effective in older adults. Learn more about flu vaccines for adults age 65 and older .

                    
  


Find out which vaccines you need

CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now!







  Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected.







  Content created by Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) Content last reviewed April 29, 2021Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​