12 Vaccines Recommended for Adults

October 28, 2025

3 min read

We usually associate the term "vaccination" with children's healthcare. For example, in the U.S., most people get vaccinated against rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, pneumonia, meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, Haemophilus influenza, rubella, polio, mumps, papillomavirus and influenza by the age of 16. However, there is a whole range of vaccines recommended to people in adulthood.

Key takeaways

We usually associate the term "vaccination" with children's healthcare.
What diseases should adults be vaccinated against?

Who this is for

People exploring Bacterial and viral infections through vaccination, viruses.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Vera

Head of Therapy Department

What diseases should adults be vaccinated against?

Diphtheria affects the heart, nervous system, and muscles lead to asphyxia, and can even cause paralysis. Although children are vaccinated against diphtheria immediately at birth, not everyone knows that it is necessary to have a vaccine again in adult age.

Tetanus is a dangerous contagious disease that you can get even after slight skin damage. Adults need to vaccinate every 10 years.

Pertussis is accompanied by a prolonged exhausting cough that can lead to respiratory failure. Pertussis is particularly dangerous for newborn children, as they can easily get infected by parents. In adulthood, it is recommended to check antibody titer before getting a new vaccine.

Rubella in adults often takes a severe form. The diseases can lead to pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis. Rubella is also very contagious. The vaccine is administered to people from 18 up to 35 years and those in the risk group from 36 to 55 years of age — twice per life.

Measles vaccination is especially important for young women planning pregnancy since getting infected during the 1st and 2d trimester of pregnancy when the fetus forms and actively develops can lead to developmental defects or even death. The vaccine is administered to women over 18 years of age.

Hepatitis B is one of the most dangerous contagious diseases and can affect all internal organs, blood vessels, and joints in a short time. The standard vaccination scheme for adults is 0–1–6 (0—is the first vaccination day, 1—one month after the first vaccine, 6—date in half a year). The vaccine's protective effect lasts for 7–10 years, after which it is necessary to have a new vaccine. To check for immunity, it is necessary to have a blood test for HBV antibodies as some people remain immune for 30 years. The vaccine is administered to people under 55 years of age.

Flu: the risk group includes people with low immunity, chronic diseases, and the elderly. It is necessary to vaccinate before the onset of epidemics. Developing antibodies takes approximately two weeks. A vaccine helps to reduce the risk of complications by 40–60 %. The vaccine is administered annually at any age.

Chickenpox or herpes virus is dangerous for people with low immunity and pregnant women. Vaccination is administered in two doses with an interval of 6 weeks between doses. After vaccination, people develop immunity for life in most cases, but it is not guaranteed.

The human papillomavirusis particularly dangerous for women and is sexually transmitted. The HPV vaccine prevents malignant transformations of the cervix and the appearance of genital warts.

If the vaccine is administered until the age of 25 years without cases of previous HPV infection, the vaccine will be highly effective. The vaccine is administered three times under the scheme of 0–2–6 months. The vaccine remains effective for 10 years.

Generalized meningococcal infection is especially dangerous for young people, travelers who live in hotels, military servicemen, and athletes. It is recommended to vaccinate before the age of 24.

8–15% of people infected by the generalized meningococcal infection die within 24–48 hours of showing the first symptoms. Approximately 10–20 % of people who have this disease become incapacitated. The vaccine is administered one time only.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a serious disease of the nervous system leading to paralysis and death. The disease is transmitted by ticks. The vaccine is administered in three stages and should be repeated every three years. The vaccine is particularly recommended to those who live in endemic regions and for travelers.

The pneumococcal infection causes diseases of the ears and throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, and meningitis as well as complications such as heart damage and general blood poisoning. It is especially dangerous for aged and weak people. The scheme of immunization is determined by the medical practitioner based on the type of vaccine.

Adults are vaccinated one time only. If necessary, the vaccine is repeated every five years. Before administering any vaccine, it is necessary to consult with a medical practitioner and identify antibodies for specific viruses and contraindications for vaccination.

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