The vaccines you need depend primarily on your age, with a few extras based on health conditions, pregnancy, and travel plans. Every adult needs a yearly flu shot and a tetanus booster every 10 years. Beyond those two, the list grows as you get older, with several important additions at age 50 and again at 65. Here’s a breakdown of what’s recommended and when.
Vaccines Every Adult Needs
Two vaccines apply to all adults regardless of age or health status. The first is an annual flu shot. You need one every year because flu strains shift seasonally and protection fades over time. Any standard flu shot counts for adults under 65. If you’re 65 or older, a high-dose or adjuvanted version is preferred because it produces a stronger immune response in older immune systems. People 65 and older should not get the nasal spray version.
The second universal vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. If you’ve never had a combined shot covering all three (often called Tdap), you need one dose. After that, get a booster every 10 years. Many people lose track of when their last booster was. If you can’t remember, your doctor can simply give you one and restart the clock.
Vaccines by Age Group
Ages 19 to 26
This is the prime window for the HPV vaccine if you haven’t already gotten it. The standard series is two or three doses depending on when you started. HPV vaccination prevents several cancers, including cervical, throat, and anal cancers. If you missed it as a teenager, catching up now is straightforward.
Ages 27 to 45
HPV vaccination is still an option through age 45, but it’s not a blanket recommendation. It’s handled on a case-by-case basis, so it’s worth discussing with your provider, especially if you have new sexual partners or weren’t vaccinated earlier.
Ages 50 and Older
Turning 50 triggers three new vaccine recommendations. The most well-known is the shingles vaccine. Anyone who had chickenpox as a child (which is most adults over 50) carries the dormant virus that can reactivate as shingles, a painful blistering rash that sometimes leads to months of nerve pain. The shingles vaccine is given as two doses, spaced two to six months apart. Adults under 50 who have weakened immune systems can also qualify for this vaccine starting at age 19.
At 50, you’re also recommended to get a pneumococcal vaccine if you haven’t had one. Pneumococcal disease causes pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis, and it becomes more dangerous with age. The simplest option is a single-dose version (PCV20 or PCV21) that completes the series in one visit. If a different version (PCV15) is used, you’ll need a follow-up dose about a year later.
Adults 50 to 74 with chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or certain other conditions are now recommended to get an RSV vaccine. RSV is a respiratory virus that most people think of as a childhood illness, but it hospitalizes tens of thousands of older adults every year.
Ages 75 and Older
At 75, the RSV vaccine becomes a universal recommendation, meaning it’s suggested for everyone in this age group, not just those with underlying conditions. If you already got one between 50 and 74, you don’t need another.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The CDC recommends a 2025-2026 updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, with the decision framed as an individual choice rather than a blanket mandate. Vaccine protection against COVID fades over time, which is why updated versions are released. If you recently had COVID, you can wait about three months before getting your next dose.
Pregnancy
Pregnant people have a specific recommendation to get a Tdap shot during every pregnancy, typically during the third trimester. This passes whooping cough antibodies to the baby before birth, protecting the newborn during their first few months of life when they’re too young to be vaccinated themselves. The flu shot is also recommended during pregnancy, and an RSV vaccine given during pregnancy can protect the baby from RSV after birth.
Vaccines for International Travel
Travel outside the U.S. often requires vaccines you wouldn’t normally need at home. The most common travel vaccines are hepatitis A and typhoid, both spread through contaminated food and water in many parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. Depending on your destination, you may also need vaccines for yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, cholera, rabies, or meningococcal disease.
Yellow fever vaccination is legally required for entry into some countries, and you’ll need to show proof of it at the border. The best approach is to look up your specific destination on the CDC’s travel health page and schedule a visit with a travel clinic at least four to six weeks before departure. Some travel vaccines need multiple doses or time to build immunity.
Quick Reference by Age
- All adults: Flu (yearly), tetanus booster (every 10 years), updated COVID-19 vaccine
- Ages 19 to 26: HPV vaccine if not already completed
- Ages 27 to 45: HPV vaccine by individual decision
- Ages 50 and older: Shingles (2 doses), pneumococcal (1 or 2 doses), RSV if you have risk factors
- Ages 65 and older: High-dose or adjuvanted flu shot preferred
- Ages 75 and older: RSV vaccine for everyone
How to Find Out What You’re Missing
Most people are behind on at least one vaccine without realizing it. Your state may have an immunization registry that stores your records, and your primary care provider can usually pull up what’s on file. If records are truly lost, blood tests can check whether you have immunity to certain diseases like hepatitis B or measles, which helps determine what you still need. A pharmacist can also review your history and administer most adult vaccines on the spot, often without an appointment.