Information Series for Healthcare Professionals

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adultstandards

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

2

SHARE the tailored reasons why the recommended 

vaccine is right for the patient given his or her age, health 

status, lifestyle, occupation, or other risk factors. 

HIGHLIGHT positive experiences with vaccines 

(personal or in your practice), as appropriate, to reinforce the 

benefits and strengthen confidence in vaccination.

ADDRESS patient questions and any concerns about the 

vaccine, including side effects, safety, and vaccine effectiveness 

in plain and understandable language. 

REMIND patients that vaccines protect them 

and their loved ones from many common and

serious diseases.

EXPLAIN the potential costs of getting the disease, 

including serious health effects, time lost (such as missing 

work or family obligations), and financial costs.

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Vaccine Recommendation

A Series on Standards for Adult Immunization Practice

For tips on answering common patient questions and 

links to patient education materials, see back.

Recommending vaccines prompts most patients 

to get immunized.

Research indicates that most adults believe that vaccines are important and 

are likely to get them if recommended by their healthcare professionals.

For some patients, a clear and strong recommendation 

may not be enough. You can encourage these patients 

to make an informed decision about vaccination by 

sharing critical information. 

Your recommendation is a critical factor in whether your 

patients get the vaccines they need. 

Routinely assess patient immunization status and 

strongly recommend vaccines that patients need, 

whether you stock the vaccines or not.

U.S. vaccination 

rates for adults are 

extremely low.

For example:

• Only 14% of adults 19 years 

or older have received Tdap 

vaccination.

• Only 20% of adults 60 years 

or older have received zoster 

(shingles) vaccination.

• Only 20% of adults 19 to 64 years 

old, at high risk, have received 

pneumococcal vaccination.

• Only 41% of adults 18 years or 

older had received flu vaccination 

during the 2012–2013 flu season.

Sources: NHIS 2012 (MMWR 2014;63(5))

BRFSS 2012-2013 (www.cdc.gov/flu/

fluvaxview)

For resources and tips on vaccine 

assessment, administration, 

referral, and documentation, visit:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adultstandards
Tips for Addressing Common Questions About Adult Vaccination 

For additional information and resources on adult immunization, 

visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/adults.

Do I really need vaccines?

• All adults need immunizations to help prevent getting serious diseases that 

could result not only in poor health, but also missed work, medical bills, and not 

being able to care for their families. 

• You may not have received all of your recommended childhood vaccines. Also, 

the protection from some vaccines you received as a child can wear off over time 

and you might need a booster (tetanus and whooping cough). Some vaccines 

are recommended based on your age, job, lifestyle, or health conditions. For 

example, adults with chronic conditions like asthma or COPD are at higher risk for 

complications from certain diseases like flu and pneumonia.

• Getting vaccinated not only reduces your chance of getting sick, but also reduces 

the chance that you will spread a serious disease to those around you—including 

those most vulnerable to severe illness (infants, older adults, and people with 

chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems). 

How well do adult vaccines work? 

• Vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to reduce the chances of getting certain diseases and suffering from 

their complications. 

• The amount of protection you will get varies by vaccine and other factors like your age and health, but immunization is 

the best defense against many of these serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. 

• The greatest risk of vaccine-preventable diseases occurs among people who are not vaccinated.

Are adult vaccines safe? 

• Vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect your health. 

• Vaccines go through thorough testing before they can be licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once a 

vaccine is licensed, research is reviewed by medical and scientific experts to make recommendations on who should be 

vaccinated. Even after a vaccine is licensed, CDC and FDA continue to carefully monitor the safety of vaccines. 

• It is safe to receive vaccinations while taking prescription medications. If you take medication that suppresses your immune 

system, you may not be able to get certain live vaccines including MMR, varicella, and shingles vaccines.

Last updated July, 2014

Patients vary in their level of knowledge 

about immunization and their 

preferences for learning about it.

Find free education materials

for your patients:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/AdultPatientEd

What are possible risks from adult vaccines?

• Side effects from vaccines are usually minor and temporary, 

such as feeling sore where you get the shot or a slight fever, and 

go away within a few days. 

• Some people may have allergic reactions to vaccines, but serious 

or long-term effects are rare.

For tips on addressing 

common questions about 

specific adult vaccines, visit: 

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

hcp/patient-ed/adults/

for-practice/standards/

recommend.html