Health: Immunization: Adult Immunizations

What Vaccines Do I Need?

Immunizations are very important for adults to prevent illness and remain healthy. There are several different factors that affect which immunizations are recommended such as: past immunization history, existing health conditions, lifestyle, age, international travel, and occupation.

Most common adult vaccines are

COVID-19
Shingles
Influenza
TDAP
Pneumococcal

Adult Vaccine Quiz
Quiz to help determine which vaccines you need as an adult.

Other vaccinations you may need include the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, chickenpox (varicella), and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines. Certain vaccinations that are not a part of the recommendations for adults living in the United States, may also be recommended for international travel, such as typhoid or yellow fever vaccines.

For more information on adult immunizations, please visit the CDC adult immunization website.

Adult immunization calendar

My Vaccine Records

Visit MyVaxIndiana to access your vaccine records.

Where to Get My Vaccines

Please contact your health care provider, local (county) health department, or pharmacy to schedule an appointment to receive vaccines. The Indiana Department of Health does not maintain a complete listing of medical providers or pharmacies that administer immunizations throughout our state.

Certain providers in the state of Indiana are enrolled as Adult Providers in Indiana’s publicly funded vaccine program. These providers include birthing hospitals, prenatal clinics, community health centers and local health departments. All providers in this program can offer the hepatitis vaccines, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the Tdap vaccine to adults who do not have any health insurance or have health insurance that does not cover the cost of the vaccines. Certain risk criteria must be met in order to be eligible for the program.

View the Where Can I get my Vaccines Map?

What Do I Need to Know About Vaccines?

Recommended vaccines for all adults during their lifetime:

Seasonal influenza (flu)
Flu vaccination is recommended for all adults every flu season.
Who should get the flu vaccine?
Everyone ages 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine each year. Individuals ages 65 years and older may require a high-dose flu vaccine. Please discuss this with your healthcare provider to see if this is something you should get.
Why should I receive the flu vaccine?
Influenza (the flu) causes around 400,000 hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths each year. The flu vaccine is proven to prevent flu infection or decrease the severity of flu if contracted.
Why do I need the flu vaccine every year?
The flu virus mutates very fast and each year the circulating flu virus is slightly different from last year. Scientists continually study this and adjust the vaccine to protect you against the currently circulating flu virus
When should I get the flu vaccine?
The vaccine takes about two weeks to provide full protection. Flu season in the United States is typically from October through May. The best time to get your vaccine is in September no later than the end of October; however, it’s never too late to protect yourself from the flu.
Flu vaccine precautions
- It is safe and advised for pregnant mothers to receive the flu vaccine because it can provide antibodies to both the mother and child.
- Most flu vaccines are manufactured with eggs. For people with egg allergies, they should ask their provider for a nonegg based flu vaccine.
- It is not advised for persons who have had severe reactions to flu vaccines in the past to receive the vaccine.
COVID-19
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) (Tdap)
The Tdap vaccine is recommended for pregnant women during every pregnancy, and for all adults who have not previously received the Tdap vaccine.
Who should get the Tdap vaccine?
- Pregnant women between 27-36 weeks gestation
- Adults who have not previously received Tdap
Why should I get the Tdap vaccine?
- The Tdap vaccine provides protection against three different diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
  - Tetanus is spread through wounds or cuts and can cause life-threatening diseases in both adults and children, including the inability to open the mouth, trouble swallowing, and breathing.
  - Diphtheria is a serious respiratory disease spread from person to person.
  - Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is spread from person to person and causes serious respiratory infections. This can lead to loss of bladder function, rib fractures from severe coughing, and passing out.
Why get this vaccine during pregnancy?
- The Tdap vaccine provides both an immune booster to the mother and antibodies for the baby at birth. This protects the baby from severe infection to pertussis and diphtheria in the first couple weeks of life prior to vaccination.
- What if the mother had the vaccine last year and is now being offered the vaccine this year due to pregnancy?
  - While the mother will still have antibodies from the previous vaccine the baby will not receive those antibodies from the mother. The only way the baby will receive the antibodies themselves to protect against serious illness is by the mother receiving the vaccine during pregnancy.
  - It will not harm the mother to receive the vaccine within a year of previous vaccination. In fact, this will provide a booster dose for the mother to protect her from serious infection.
Precautions with the Tdap vaccine
- Localized pain at the injection site is the most common side effect.
- Persons who have had a severe reaction to a tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine in the past should let their provider know prior to vaccination.
Pneumococcal
Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults 65 years and older and for adults ages 19-64 with certain medical conditions.
Who should get the Pneumococcal vaccine?
- Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults 65 years and older and for adults ages 19-64 with certain medical conditions.
- Individuals ages 19-64 with chronic diseases such as chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, or chronic lung disease may be considered for the pneumococcal vaccine.
Why should I get the Pneumococcal vaccine?
The pneumococcal vaccine prevents the contraction of pneumococcal bacteria, which is a type of illness caused by streptococcus pneumoniae that can cause severe illness in older adults and persons with respiratory disease.
Precautions with the Pneumococcal vaccine
You should discuss with your provider if you have ever had a severe reaction to a vaccine in the past.
Shingles
The shingles vaccine is routinely recommended for adults ages 50 and older.
Who should get the Shingles vaccine?
- Adults 50 and older two doses separated by 2-6 months.
- Adults 19 and older who are or will be immunocompromised due to disease or medical treatment should receive two doses 2-6 months apart.
Why should I get the Shingles vaccine?
- Shingles infections can lead to long-term nerve pain, hearing loss, and inflammation of the brain. The shingles vaccine helps to protect you against contracting the shingles virus and keeps you healthy.
Precautions with the Shingles vaccine
- You should not receive this vaccine if you have a current shingles infection or are currently pregnant.
- Patients who have had a severe allergic reaction to components of the vaccine should not receive this vaccine
RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Who should get the RSV vaccine?
- Older adults are at an increased risk for serious complications from RSV, and certain underlying medical conditions may increase one's risk. The RSV single dose vaccine helps protect adults 60 years and older from RSV disease. If you are 60 years and older, talk to your healthcare provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you.
- Pregnant women are advised to get the RSV vaccine in the last trimester of pregnancy to provide protection to the mother and passive immunity to the child in utero.

Adult Immunizations

What Vaccines Do I Need?

My Vaccine Records

Where to Get My Vaccines

What I Need to Know About My Vaccines

What Vaccines Do I Need?

My Vaccine Records

Where to Get My Vaccines

What Do I Need to Know About Vaccines?