Adult Immunization Frequently Asked Questions

Why are immunizations important?

Some diseases do not have a cure. Vaccines help prevent severe disease, which may cause lifelong disability or even death. Fortunately, some diseases no longer exist because of vaccines. Vaccines are the most effective way to teach your immune system how to fight disease. Vaccines are important to help you stay healthy and can protect you from the suffering and high costs of being sick with a serious disease.

You can help protect people around you by getting vaccinated, especially for babies and people with chronic health conditions or a weak immune system who aren't able to be vaccinated. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions related to immunization for adults. They can tell you which vaccines are right for you. Look at these 10 Reasons to get vaccinated.

Which vaccines do adults need?

COVID-19

Everyone 6 months and older should stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine. Up to date information about COVID-19.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

The RSV vaccine is recommended for:

  • Everyone aged 75 and older.
  • Adults aged 60-74 at high risk of severe RSV.
    • Adults 60-74 who are at high risk include those with chronic heart or lung disease, certain other chronic medical conditions, and those who are residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
  • Pregnant people should get a one-time dose between 32-36 weeks of pregnancy and between September to January to protect their baby from severe RSV disease. Currently, CDC does not recommend another dose of RSV vaccine during subsequent pregnancies.

The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine. If you have already gotten an RSV vaccine, you do not need to get another.

The best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall — just before RSV usually starts to spread in the community.

More information about RSV vaccine.

Tdap and Td

All adults need a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster every 10 years. Additionally, adults should receive a single dose of Tdap vaccine instead of a Td booster to protect against pertussis (whooping cough). Especially if the last tetanus vaccine they got was more than 10 years ago.

Pregnant people should receive the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy to protect their babies against pertussis in the first few months of life. The best time to get Tdap vaccine is early in the third trimester, between 27-35 weeks of pregnancy.

More information about Tdap vaccine.

MMR

Adults born in 1956 or later need at least one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, unless they can prove that they were vaccinated against or had these three diseases.

More information about MMR vaccine.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Adults aged 26 years or younger should get vaccinated against HPV to help prevent six types of cancer.

Adults aged 27-45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination for them.

More information about HPV vaccine.

Pneumococcal vaccines

All adults aged 50 years or older, as well as people 2-49 years of age with certain medical conditions, should get one or more pneumococcal vaccines.

More information about pneumococcal vaccine.

Flu/Influenza

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Some adults are at higher risk of getting very sick from flu and are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot.

This group includes pregnant people, adults of any age with certain chronic health conditions or special health care needs, health care workers, household contacts, and child care providers—especially those in contact with babies younger than 6 months, who are too young to be vaccinated against the flu.

More information about flu vaccine.

Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

  • Adults aged 19-59 years of age.
  • Adults aged 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B.
  • Adults aged 60 years or older without known risk factors may get hepatitis vaccination.

More information about Hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis A

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for:

  • Adults at high risk for hepatitis A.
  • Adults at high risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection.

More information about hepatitis A vaccine.

Chickenpox

Adults born in 1980 or later should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine if they have never had chickenpox or never been vaccinated.

More information about chickenpox vaccine.

Meningococcal ACWY and MenB vaccines

Adults should get MenACWY and/or MenB vaccine if they are at higher risk for meningococcal disease. Those at higher risk should talk to their doctor or health care provider for more details about if and when they can get vaccinated.

More information about meningococcal vaccines.

Shingles

Adults aged 50 and older should get 2 doses of the shingles vaccine, whether or not they’ve had shingles before. People 19 years and older with a weak immune system should also be vaccinated.

More information about shingles vaccine.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)

Adults who have never been vaccinated should get Hib vaccine if it is recommended by their health care provider. Most adults do not need Hib vaccination; however, the CDC recommends two types of older children and adults get vaccinated. This includes:

Mpox

Adults at high risk  for monkeypox (mpox) should get 2 doses of the mpox vaccine. If you are a close contact of someone who's been diagnosed with mpox, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible after exposure to someone with mpox. Check with your health care provider if mpox vaccine is recommended for you.

More information about mpox vaccine.

Inactivated poliovirus

Most adults in the United States were vaccinated as children against polio and are likely protected. Adults who have never been vaccinated against polio should get 3 doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). If you have had 1 or 2 doses of polio vaccine before, you should get the remaining 1 or 2 doses. IPV is the only polio vaccine that has been given in the United States since 2000, but oral polio vaccine (OPV) is used in other countries. If you are fully vaccinated but at high risk of poliovirus exposure, you may receive 1 lifetime booster dose of IPV.

More information about polio vaccine and polio vaccination (CDC) .

Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule

Where can I get my immunizations?

Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist may carry vaccines. Your local health department or local hospital may administer flu, pneumococcal, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines. Many pharmacies offer immunizations. Clinics offering vaccines may be available in shopping malls, grocery stores, senior centers, and other community settings. Visit CDC's webpage on where to find vaccines for more information. You can also go to vaccines.gov to find a location near you.

What do vaccines cost?

Vaccines are often covered by insurance. If you are uninsured, Washington state provides recommended vaccines at no cost. The Washington State Adult Vaccine Program provides vaccine to participating provider locations for adults 19 years of age and older who are uninsured. 

If you have a private health care plan: Most health insurance plans have preventive services coverage that includes vaccines. However, some people may have co-payments (fee at time of appointment) or other costs. Check with your doctor or clinic and your health insurance plan to determine your costs.

If you have Medicaid/Apple Health: Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) clients can get immunizations from their primary care provider, pharmacy, or local health department. This service isn't available for those in the Take Charge or Family Planning Only and the Alien Emergency Medical Only programs.

If you have Medicare: Medicare covers preventive services, including vaccines. Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain vaccines (like COVID-19, flu, hepatitis B, and pneumococcal shots). Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) (drug coverage) covers all the rest (like shingles, RSV, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) when medically necessary to prevent illness. You pay nothing out of pocket for Part D adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Contact your Medicare drug plan for more information about coverage.

If you are uninsured: The Washington State Adult Vaccine Program (AVP) provides vaccine for adults 19 years of age and older who are uninsured. This program is federally funded. The vaccines offered may change from year to year. Check with any health care provider to see if they participate in the program or go to the Department of Health map to find providers who participate in this program. 

Are there side effects to immunizations?

Vaccines are well-tested and among the safest medicines available. Some common side effects are a sore arm or low-grade fever. As with any medicine, there is a very small risk that a serious problem could occur after getting a vaccine.  However, the disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the risks of possible side effects. Visit our vaccine safety webpage for more information.

What vaccines do I need if I'm traveling abroad?

Travel vaccines depend on where you are going. Contact your doctor or your local health department as early as possible to find out which immunizations you may need. You can visit the Travelers' Health website for up-to-date information on immunization recommendations for international travelers or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY 888-232-6348. English and Spanish are available.

What vaccines do I need if I'm pregnant?

Vaccines help protect you and your baby against serious diseases. The CDC recommends you get flu, COVID-19, RSV, and Tdap (whooping cough) vaccines during pregnancy to help protect yourself and your baby. It's also safe for pregnant people to get routine vaccines right after giving birth, even if you are breast/chest feeding. Learn more: Making Vaccine Decisions During Pregnancy: What to Know.

Do I need a personal immunization record?

Yes, everyone should have an immunization record. It helps you and your doctor make sure that you are fully protected. It may prevent revaccination during a health emergency or when you change doctors. Ask your doctor for an immunization record. Take it with you every time you visit your doctor. They can review and update it.

Learn more about options you have for accessing your family's immunization information. If you have immunization records from another state or country, ask your doctor to enter them into the Washington State Immunization Information System for you.