Get Shots to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49)

Shots (Vaccines)

Section #1 The Basics: Overview

Adults need to get shots (vaccines) just like kids do. Make sure you're up to date on your shots.

Get a flu vaccine every year. The seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.
Get the Tdap shot to protect from tetanus, diphtheria (“dif-THEER-ee-ah”), and whooping cough (pertussis). Everyone needs to get the Tdap shot once, and pregnant women need a dose during every pregnancy. Learn about the Tdap shot.
After you get a Tdap shot, get a Td shot every 10 years to keep you protected from tetanus and diphtheria. Learn about Td shots.
If you're age 50 or older, find out which other shots you may need. Older adults need shots to protect against diseases like shingles and pneumonia ("noo-MOHN-yah").

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about other shots you may need to stay healthy.

Section #2 The Basics: Health Benefits

Why do I need to get these shots?

Shots (vaccines) help protect you against diseases that can be serious – and sometimes deadly. Many of these diseases are common, but vaccines can prevent them.

Even if you got all your shots as a child, you still need shots as an adult. The protection from some shots can wear off over time. And as you get older, you may be at risk for other diseases, like shingles.

Getting shots doesn't just protect you – it also protects the people around you. Some people in your family or community may not be able to get certain vaccines because of their age or health condition.

Protect yourself and the people around you by staying up to date on your shots. Find out how getting your shots helps protect people in your community.

Learn more about some of the recommended shots for adults. Watch this short video about whooping cough vaccines:

And check out this short video on pneumococcal vaccines.

Section #3 The Basics: Other Shots

Do I need any other shots to help me stay healthy?

You may need other shots if you:

Didn’t get all of your shots when you were a child
Have a health condition like HIV that makes it harder for your body to fight off infections
Have a long-term health condition like diabetes or heart, lung, or liver disease
Are pregnant
Are a man who has sex with men
Smoke
Spend time with infants, young children, or older adults
Travel outside the United States

And you may need other shots if you work in a:

School
Daycare
Hospital
Health clinic
Nursing home
Prison

Ask your doctor or nurse if you need any other shots. You can also use this tool to find out which shots you may need.

Section #4 Take Action: Make a Plan

Talk with a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about getting up to date on your shots.

Make a plan to get your shots.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor or nurse to get the shots you need. You may also be able to get shots at your local pharmacy.

Use this vaccine clinic locator to find out where you can get important shots.

Get a seasonal flu shot every year.

Remember, everyone age 6 months and older needs to get the seasonal flu vaccine every year.

What about cost?

Under the Affordable Care Act, most private insurance plans must cover recommended shots for adults. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to get your shots at no cost to you. Talk to your insurance company to learn more.

If you don’t have insurance, you still may be able to get free shots.

Find a free or low-cost vaccination program in your state.
Find a health center near you and ask about affordable vaccine services.

To learn about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov.

Section #5 Take Action: Keep a Record

Keep a copy of your vaccination record.

Ask your doctor to print out a record of all the shots you've had. Keep this record in a safe place. You may need it for certain jobs or if you travel outside the United States.

If you're not sure which shots you’ve had, try these tips for finding old vaccination records. If you still can’t find a record of your shots, talk with your doctor about getting some shots again.