A Word From Verywell

Anju Goel, MD, MPH, is a member of Verywell’s medical expert board and a board-certified physician with over 10 years of experience in the California public health system, addressing communicable disease, health policy, health promotion, and disaster preparedness.

Vaccines aren’t just for kids—adults need them too, both to stay healthy and to prevent the spread of serious diseases. We also must be diligent about vaccines that are specifically for older adults, including those that protect against RSV and shingles.

When COVID-19 vaccines first became available, people were clamoring and even cutting in line to get them. Now, uptake is at an all-time low, even though we continue to have new formulations of the vaccine every year.

The reluctance to get vaccinated is not just limited to COVID. More people are choosing not to vaccinate themselves or their children against flu, measles, and other diseases because they believe the vaccines are not safe. However, vaccines undergo rigorous testing before licensing as well as ongoing surveillance after they’re authorized.

Some people think that building natural immunity after infection is better than being vaccinated. But natural immunity is unpredictable, and the cost of illness can be very high. In 2025, more than 2,200 people developed measles, a vaccine-preventable disease that was declared eliminated decades ago.

Vaccines may not offer perfect protection, but getting vaccinated is far safer than getting the disease the vaccine is designed to prevent.

Vaccination is especially important for older patients because they’re more susceptible to severe illness and death from infections. Conditions like shingles can lead to lingering symptoms even after the initial illness resolves. In addition to concerns about cost or vaccine safety, older patients may also face barriers like mobility issues that make it harder to visit a doctor.

I encourage anyone who’s unsure about vaccination to have an open discussion with their healthcare provider about their concerns. We’re here to support you and help you make decisions that promote your health. We can share information that may be more reliable than what you find outside the doctor’s office. If your provider is unwilling to talk to you about your concerns, you have the right to find another provider that will listen to you and answer your questions.

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Common Vaccines Recommended for U.S. Adults

For all adults

Once a year

For all adults (subject to change)

Once a year

For all adults

Every 10 years

For people 11-26 years old

2 doses minimum

For adults 50+, or 19+ with an underlying condition

2 doses

For adults 50+

1-2 doses

For adults 75+, or adults 50+ at risk of severe illness

1 dose

RSV

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Not Enough Adults Are Getting the RSV Vaccine. Here’s Why That Matters

Who Should Get the RSV Vaccine?

HPV

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What the HPV Vaccine Does If You’re Already Infected

The HPV Vaccine Protects Against More Than Just Cervical Cancer, Experts Say

Shingles

How Long Does The Shingles Vaccine Protect You For?

Need Another Reason to Get Your Shingles Vaccine? It May Protect Against Dementia

What Happens If You Skip Your Second Shingrix Shot?

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis

Tdap Vaccine: Uses, Side Effects, Schedule, and More

How Long Do Tetanus Vaccinations Last For?

Do You Need Tetanus Boosters Every 10 Years?