Vaccines at Every Age: A Simple Guide to Staying Protected
Most of us think about vaccines as something that happens in childhood. Shots at the pediatrician, a sticker, maybe a lollipop. But your need for vaccines doesn’t stop once you grow up. Protection from some vaccines can decrease over time, and different vaccines may be recommended as you enter different stages of life or develop certain health conditions.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, which makes it a good time to check where you stand. But this is worth thinking about any time of year. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s recommended, and when.
Key Takeaways
- Adult vaccines matter too. Adults generally need a flu vaccine every year. If you’ve never received Tdap as an adult, you may need a dose, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. Other vaccines are recommended based on your age, health history, and other factors.
- Some vaccines become recommended with age. Shingles vaccination is routinely recommended starting at age 50, and pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for adults starting at age 50 if they have not previously received the recommended pneumococcal vaccine.
- Pregnancy calls for extra protection. Flu vaccination and Tdap during pregnancy help protect both you and your baby. Tdap is recommended during every pregnancy, generally between 27 and 36 weeks. Other vaccines may also be recommended during pregnancy depending on the season and individual circumstances.
- Missing records aren’t a barrier. If your records are incomplete, your provider can review what information is available and determine which vaccines you need. In selected situations, blood testing may also be appropriate.
- Cost doesn’t have to get in the way. Peach Tree Health offers vaccines at every location, with a sliding fee scale if you qualify and Medi-Cal accepted.
What Vaccines You Need, Stage by Stage
Babies and Young Children
Early vaccines protect against serious illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, polio, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. These are typically given on a schedule your child’s healthcare provider will walk you through at well-child visits.
If your child has fallen behind on any vaccines, it’s not too late to catch up. Your provider can help create a catch-up schedule based on your child’s age and vaccination history.
Preteens and Teens
Around age 11 or 12, additional vaccines are typically recommended. These include the HPV vaccine, which protects against human papillomavirus and several cancers caused by HPV, and meningococcal vaccination. Teens also receive a Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
If your family moved recently or your child missed a well visit, your provider can help determine what’s still needed.
Adults
This is where a lot of people lose track. Vaccines recommended for adults may include:
- A flu vaccine every year
- Tdap if you’ve never received it as an adult, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years
- Shingles vaccination starting at age 50
- Pneumococcal vaccination starting at age 50, or earlier for people with certain medical conditions or risk factors
- Hepatitis B vaccination, depending on age and individual circumstances
- HPV vaccination if you haven’t completed the recommended series and are in an age group for which vaccination is recommended
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination for eligible adults based on age and risk factors.
- Other vaccines, including COVID-19, based on current recommendations, age, health history, and individual circumstances
Adult vaccine recommendations depend on more than age alone. Your medical conditions, medications, previous vaccines, pregnancy status, occupation, travel plans, and other factors may affect what you need.
If you’re not sure what you’ve had, that’s common. Your provider can review available records and help determine what you need. In some situations, testing for immunity may be helpful, but blood tests are not routinely needed for every vaccine.
For the full, up-to-date schedule of what’s recommended by age, the CDC’s adult immunization schedule is a good reference, though your Peach Tree provider can help determine what applies specifically to you.
Pregnancy
Vaccination during pregnancy can protect both the pregnant person and the baby.
A flu vaccine is recommended during pregnancy during flu season and can be given during any trimester. Tdap is recommended during every pregnancy, regardless of previous Tdap vaccination, generally between 27 and 36 weeks. This helps pass protective antibodies to the baby before birth.
Depending on the season and individual circumstances, other vaccines may also be recommended during pregnancy. Your provider can help you determine which vaccines are appropriate for you.
Older Adults
As we get older, the risk of serious complications from certain infections increases. That’s why staying current on vaccines becomes especially important.
In addition to a yearly flu vaccine, older adults may need vaccines against shingles, pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as other vaccines based on current recommendations and individual health needs. RSV vaccination is recommended for certain older adults based on age and risk for severe disease.
Because vaccine recommendations can change over time, it’s a good idea to review your vaccination history with your healthcare provider regularly.
Don’t Have Your Vaccine Records?
If you’ve moved, changed insurance, or just haven’t been to a doctor in a while, your vaccine records might be scattered or missing altogether. That’s okay. You don’t need to have every record in hand before talking with your provider about vaccination.
Bring whatever records you have. Your Peach Tree Health provider can review them, check other available sources when possible, and recommend a plan based on your age, health history, and previous vaccinations. In selected situations, a blood test may be useful to determine whether you already have immunity.
Common Questions About Vaccines
Schedule Your Vaccines at Peach Tree Health
Vaccines are available at every Peach Tree Health location, and cost shouldn’t stand in the way of getting them. We offer a sliding fee scale based on income if you qualify and accept Medi-Cal.
Find a Peach Tree location near you to schedule a visit and talk through which vaccines you might be due for.
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