We may not like hearing it, but it’s true: Adults aren’t off the hook when it comes to vaccines.
Even if you’ve had all your childhood vaccinations, there are plenty of reasons to get vaccinated when you’re older. Some vaccines wear off, new vaccines are available, you may be at higher risk for certain illnesses that shots can protect you from, and vaccinations help protect the people around you.
“What makes vaccines unique is that they protect the person who is vaccinated as well as the community in which they live,” said Bruce Gellin, president of global immunization at Sabin Vaccine Institute, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., that promotes vaccine development.
“This is as true for adults as it is for infants and children, and we’re encouraged that the research community is developing vaccines that will prevent serious infectious diseases like pneumonia across the lifespan,” Gellin continued.
Here are six vaccines you should consider getting as an adult to protect your health:
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HPV Vaccine (Gardasil 9)
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Tdap Vaccine
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Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
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Pneumococcal Vaccine
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Flu Vaccine
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Travel Vaccines