Vaccinations Guidelines for Adults

Why are vaccines important?

Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to protect your health. They help prevent serious illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, shingles, tetanus, and more. By getting vaccinated, you protect not only yourself but also those around you—especially infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Vaccines reduce the spread of disease, prevent complications, and can even save lives.

For a full overview of recommended vaccines for adults, visit the CDC’s guide here:

CDC Adult Vaccine Schedule

What vaccines do adults typically need?

While childhood vaccinations are critical, adult immunization is just as important. Recommended adult vaccines may include:

Influenza
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
Shingles (Shingrix)
Pneumonia (Prevnar, Pneumovax)
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
Hepatitis A & B
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
RSV (for select populations)

Specific recommendations can vary depending on your age, health conditions, travel plans, or occupational risks.

Most vaccines are fully covered by insurance, especially those recommended by the CDC and ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices). Coverage may depend on your specific insurance plan, your age, and the vaccine in question. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to confirm coverage before receiving a vaccine.

In some cases, especially for Medicare patients, you may be asked to sign an ABN (Advance Beneficiary Notice) before receiving a vaccine. This form outlines potential costs if the vaccine is not covered by Medicare.

Please note: Vaccines are exempt from any discounts or adjustments, including for self-pay patients. All patients are responsible for the full vaccine cost if it is not covered by insurance.

Some vaccines may be administered through your pharmacy due to manufacturer or insurance distribution restrictions. Pharmacies often receive direct supply or offer broader insurance coverage for these vaccines.

If a vaccine is not available in our office, we can provide a prescription or referral for you to receive it at a local pharmacy.

Our team will review your medical history, immunization records, and current guidelines to recommend appropriate vaccines for you. Be sure to bring any records from previous providers or immunization cards to your appointment.

Recent measles outbreaks in the United States have raised concerns about vaccine coverage. While most vaccinated adults do not require a booster, and have immunity from prior vaccination or previous infection, certain groups should review their immunization status:

Adults born before 1957: are considered to have “presumptive evidence” of immunity, because nearly everyone born during this period got the disease during childhood. These adults do not need additional immunizations.
Adults vaccinated between 1963 and 1967: This period saw the use of an inactivated (killed) measles vaccine, which was less effective. If you were vaccinated then, consider getting a dose of the current live attenuated MMR vaccine.
High-risk exposure adults: Individuals such as healthcare workers, international travelers, and students at post-secondary institutions should ensure they are up-to-date with MMR vaccinations, as they are at increased risk of exposure.
Adults unsure of immune status: Many adults are unaware of immunization history. You can research Maryland vaccine records here: myirmobile.com or from other states here: www.cdc.gov/iis/contacts-locate-records. If you are still unsure, you can request a blood test to check to see if you have antibodies to measles which confirms that you are immune.

The measles vaccine is a safe and very effective vaccine, however it is a “live” vaccine, meaning that it contains a small, weakened dose of the virus. While this is safe for most people, individuals with a weakened immune system should discuss with their provider first.

For comprehensive guidelines, refer to the CDC's recommendations on measles vaccination.

Yes! You can view and print your immunization history through our patient portal. Simply log in and navigate to the “My Health” section to access your records. Our portal syncs with the Maryland state immunization registry (ImmuNet), so your vaccine history should be up to date and accurate.

You can also access your official state immunization records directly through the Maryland Immunization Registry at: https://myirmobile.com

If you need help accessing or printing your records from either source, our team is happy to assist you.

Individual Vaccine Information

It is recommended that all individuals over 6 months of age get a flu shot annually. While effectiveness can vary from year to year, getting a flu shot reduces the severity of illness if you happen to get the flu and, more importantly, significantly reduces your risk of hospitalization, ICU-admission and death. Flu vaccination has also been shown to reduce risk of cardiac events. It also protects the more vulnerable people around you from getting sick from the flu.

Adults over 65 years of age should get a “high-dose” flu vaccine which is more effective.
All current flu vaccines are safe for people with an egg-allergy.
We have both types of flu vaccine in our office.

For more information, visit: CDC Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics

The main reason to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is to protect yourself against severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. Being vaccinated may also protect against long-COVID.

You can get either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine no matter what you have received previously.
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as your flu vaccine.
If you prefer to get them separately, wait at least a few days between vaccinations.
We have updated COVID-19 vaccines in our office

For more information, visit: CDC COVID-19 Vaccines

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization.

All adults 75 years old and older are eligible for a single dose of the RSV vaccine
Adults ages 50-74 should get the RSV vaccine if they are at high risk of respiratory infections.
Talk to your provider to determine if the RSV vaccine is appropriate for you
We recommend getting the RSV at least 2 weeks apart from any other vaccine.
You need to get the RSV vaccine at a pharmacy.

For more information, visit: CDC RSV Vaccines

It is recommended for all adults over age 50 to get 2 doses of the shingles vaccine to reduce the severity and any complications related to shingles, including postherpetic neuralgia which can be a long and debilitating condition.

Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk for getting shingles.
You can still get the shingles vaccine even if you are not sure if you had chicken pox.
You should still get the Shingrix shingles vaccine, even if you had the old Zostavax shingles vaccine years ago.
You need to get the Shingrix vaccine at a pharmacy.

For more information, visit: CDC Shingles Vaccination

Vaccines protect against pneumococcal disease, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. This bacteria can cause serious-illness, including pneumonia, which can result in hospitalization and death.

It is recommended that all adults over age 50 and those with underlying lung disease (asthma, COPD, smokers), receive pneumonia vaccines.
There are 2 types of pneumococcal pneumonia vaccines available. Talk to your provider to determine which vaccines are appropriate for you.
We have pneumonia vaccines in our office.

For more information, visit: CDC Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations

Tetanus is an infection caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria which is found in dirt and can cause serious illness and even paralysis. It is recommended that all adults should get a tetanus booster every 10 years. Some forms of the tetanus vaccine also help to protect against diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

We have tetanus vaccines in our office.
Medicare may not cover routine tetanus vaccines, in which case the vaccine can be given at a pharmacy.

For more information, visit: CDC Tetanus Vaccination