Power Your Life

Immunizations (also called vaccines) are important for everyone, not just kids. Thanks to immunizations, many dangerous diseases can be prevented. Immunizations have been tested and proven to be safe and effective.

Reasons adults should get immunized:

• Even in the U.S., adults can still catch serious diseases that are preventable by immunizations. If your immunizations aren’t up to date, you’re at risk. These diseases can be serious enough that they cause hospitalization and sometimes death.
• If you catch a preventable disease that could have been avoided with immunization, you might become so sick that you miss a lot of work or school. This could lead to large medical bills and make it hard to take care of your family or do other things you need to do.
• Even if you got all of your immunizations as a child, the protection from some can wear off over time. You may also be at risk because of your age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions.
• Immunizations help protect the health of those around you and lower your chance of spreading certain diseases to other people. Some people may get really sick if they catch these diseases. This includes babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems (such as those receiving cancer treatment or who had a transplant). 

In general, all adults should get the following immunizations:

• A flu shot every year.
• Td or Tdap booster shot every 10 years.
• Tdap every time you’re pregnant. 
• HPV by age 26 if you didn’t receive it as a child.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 immunizations. 

Check out the adult vaccine recommendations or talk to your medical provider to find out what immunizations you need.

It’s helpful to find your immunization records to see what immunizations you received in the past. Some resources to help you find what immunizations you have received include USIIS and Docket. 

 If you’re traveling internationally, there may be specific immunizations you need to help keep you safe. Check out the list of destinations and their required and recommended immunizations.