7 Vaccines Adults Should Consider
Vaccines aren’t just for kids. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends several to help adults prevent serious illness, hospitalization—or worse.
Routine vaccines are safe and important, especially for those with a weakened immune system or certain risk factors.
They are the healthy choice for every adult and should be considered a standard part of your preventive health care, including a yearly wellness visit and recommended screenings.
I recommend the following vaccines to all of my patients, when eligible:
- Flu. The flu can be a very dangerous virus. The vaccine is updated each year to help protect you against the flu types that are currently circulating. It’s ideal to get the shot by the end of October, but it’s important to get vaccinated at any point in the season—which runs until spring. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each season.
- Shingles. Stress can lead to shingles. Though the shingles can’t kill you, the virus can be intensely painful and cause side effects like blindness, as well as trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). All adults 50 and older should consider getting this vaccine.
- RSV. This serious, cold-like respiratory virus has become much more lethal for seniors in recent years. All adults over age 75 should consider getting this vaccine.
- HPV. This vaccine prevents cervical cancer by helping the uterus clear HPV— a risk for all sexually active adults (even monogamous ones). Women under age 45, especially those with an abnormal Pap smear in the past, should consider this vaccine.
- Pneumonia. The comprehensive pneumonia vaccine is recommended every 10 years, starting at age 65. People who are high risk, such as those with asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease, as well as those who smoke or abuse alcohol, should consider getting vaccinated earlier.
- TDAP. This vaccine protects against three potentially deadly illnesses—tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis. All adults should get a TDAP booster at least every 10 years. All pregnant women should get this vaccine at the start of their third trimester.
- COVID-19. Like the flu shot, this vaccine is updated regularly to protect you from severe illness. Everyone 6 months and older should get an up to date COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have questions about the vaccinations that are right for you, or preventive health care, please talk with your doctor. We are here to help you stay healthy.
Dr. Mundy is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician specializing in Family Medicine. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, TX. She completed her residency at the Family Health Centers of San Diego, CA. Dr. Mundy holds credentials in Integrative Medicine and certification from the American Academy of HIV. She is a global health advocate and has served as a medical volunteer in Argentina, Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. A native English speaker, she is also fluent in Spanish, reading, writing, and speaking the language.