Vaccines for Teens and Adults
Babies and young children aren’t the only ones who need vaccines to stay healthy!
Teens and adults are at risk for certain preventable diseases. The best way to ensure protection is to stay up to date with recommended vaccines. Teen and adult immunizations also prevent the spread of illness to babies and family members, and they protect community members who cannot be vaccinated.
Which vaccines do pre-teens and teens (7-18 years of age) need?
1 dose at 11 – 12 years old to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). A Tdap booster is needed every ten years. If you become pregnant you will need the Tdap vaccine in the 3rd trimester of every pregnancy.
If not previously immunized, pre-teens and teens may also need additional vaccines on the routine childhood schedule. Talk to your doctor about catch-up vaccines for missed childhood doses.
Which vaccines do adults need?
2, 3, or 4 doses (depending on the type of vaccine) recommended for all adults ages 19 – 59 years to protect against hepatitis B. Adults 60 and older with certain risk factors should also be vaccinated.
Some adults may also need other vaccines based on their age and health status, or if they missed vaccines as a child. Check with your doctor to see which vaccines you might need.