What immunizations should adults over 50 get? Here’s the short list:
Influenza vaccine
For: All adults
How often: Once a year
Covid-19 vaccine
For: All adults
How often:
All adults should receive the primary Covid series of two shots two or more months apart.
All adults should also receive one Omicron booster shot two or more months after their primary Covid series.
Pneumococcal vaccine
For: All adults age 65 and older, for adults 19-64 with risk factors such as asthma, COPD/emphysema, diabetes and heart disease and for adults working with the chronically ill, such as in hospitals and nursing homes.
How often:
Once at age 65. Those with high risk conditions may receive one dose at a younger age and again at age 65.
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccines
For: All adults
How often:
Every ten years, or after only 5 years for severe wounds and/or burns.
All adults should have at least one Tdap vaccine. This is especially important for adults in contact with children under 12 months of age, including parents, grandparents and childcare providers.
Shingles vaccine (Shingrix)
For: All adults age 50 and older, whether or not you have had the older and less-effective Zostavax vaccine and whether or not you have had shingles or known chicken pox.
How often:
Shingrix is given in two separate injections 2 to 6 months apart.
Hepatitis A vaccine
For: Adults 50 and older at risk of Hepatitis A, including travelers to countries where Hepatitis A is common, those who have had close contact with an active hepatitis A patient and recreational drug users.
How often:
Hep A vaccine is given in two doses 6 months apart.
Hepatitis B vaccine
For: Adults 50 and older at risk of contracting Hepatitis B, which is transmitted in infected body fluids (blood, saliva and semen). Common forms of transmission include sexual contact, contact with blood or open sores, and the sharing of needles and toothbrushes. Others at high risk include those on kidney dialysis, people who travel to areas where Hepatitis B is known to be common, and patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
How often:
Hep B vaccine is given in three doses: the first dose, the second dose one month after the first dose, and the third dose 5 months after the second dose.
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