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Do You Know Which Adult Vaccines You Might Need?

Vaccines are recommended for all adults based on factors such as age, travel, occupation, 

medical history, and vaccines they have had in the past.

Below are the main vaccines you might need. But, this list may not include every vaccine that 

you need. Find out which vaccines you need by taking the quiz at: 

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/AdultQuiz/

ALL adults 19 and older, including pregnant women, need:

 Influenza vaccine every yea

• A flu vaccine is especially important for people

with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, 

and older adults 

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis 

(whooping cough) vaccine (Tdap)

• Adults should get a one-time dose of Tdap. Adults

can get Tdap no matter when they got their last 

tetanus vaccine (Td), which is given every 10 years

Pregnant women should get Tdap to protect 

themselves and their newborn babies from 

whooping cough 

In addition to influenza and Tdap vaccines, you may 

also need other vaccines depending on your age or 

other factors. 

Flip the page to learn more. 

Talk to your healthcare provider about 

which vaccines are right for you. 

National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

Immunization Services Division
In addition to influenza and Tdap vaccines, you may also need other vaccines 

depending on your age... 

Young adults not yet vaccinated need:

{ Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series

(3 doses) if you are:

• Female age 26 or younger

Male age 21 or younger 

Male age 26 or younger who has sex with men, 

who is immunocompromised, or who has HIV

Adults born in the US in 1957 or after need:

{ Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine*

• Adults should get at least one dose of MMR

vaccine, unless they’ve already gotten this 

vaccine or have immunity to measles, mumps, 

and rubella 

Adults born in the US in 1980 or after need:

{ Varicella “chickenpox” vaccine*

• Adults should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine

unless they’ve already gotten both doses or have 

immunity to chickenpox 

Adults 60 years of age and older need:

{ Zoster “shingles” vaccine* (1 dose)

Adults 65 years of age and older need: 

{ Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (1 dose)

You may also need other vaccines if you...

Are a healthcare worker:

{ Hepatitis B vaccine serie

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine* 

Varicella vaccine* 

Have heart disease or chronic lung disease:

{ Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes:

{ Hepatitis B vaccine series

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 

Have a weakened immune system or have HIV:

{ Hepatitis B vaccine serie

Hib vaccine

Both types of pneumococcal vaccines

Have chronic liver disease:

{ Hepatitis A vaccine serie

Hepatitis B vaccine series

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Do not have a spleen or your spleen does not 

work well: 

{

{

{

Hib vaccine

Meningococcal vaccine

Both types of pneumococcal vaccines

Are a man who has sex with men:

{

{

{

Hepatitis A vaccine series

Hepatitis B vaccine series

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series

Are a laboratory worker and may be routinely 

exposed to isolates of Neisseria meningitidis, or 

specimens potentially containing hepatitis A or 

hepatitis B virus:

{

{

{

Hepatitis A vaccine series 

Hepatitis B vaccine series

Meningococcal vaccine 

Are a college freshman living in a 

residence hall: 

{ Meningococcal vaccine

Are planning to travel outside of the US: 

See http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm 

for more information. 

* Live vaccines should not be given to people who have a very weakened 

immune system, including those with a CD4 count less than 200, or to 

pregnant women.

To learn more about all vaccines, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines. 

For more information, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or visit www.cdc.gov/info