From the Guidelines
Adults should follow a regular vaccination schedule to maintain optimal health and prevent infectious diseases, with the core vaccines including an annual influenza vaccine, Tdap every 10 years, and pneumococcal vaccines for adults 65 and older, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 1. The recommended adult vaccination schedule is outlined in the ACIP's guidelines, which include:
- Influenza vaccine: 1 dose annually for all adults
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): substitute 1-time dose of Tdap for Td booster, then boost with Td every 10 years
- Pneumococcal vaccines: 1 dose of PCV13 and 1 or 2 doses of PPSV23 for adults 65 and older
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): 1 or 2 doses for adults born after 1957 and without documented immunity
- Varicella vaccine: 2 doses for adults who have never had chickenpox
- Shingrix vaccine: 2 doses for adults 50 and older to prevent shingles
- Hepatitis A and B vaccines: advised for those at risk or without immunity
- HPV vaccine: complete the series if not done earlier, or discuss with provider for those 27-45 years old Key considerations for vaccination schedules include:
- Age-based recommendations
- Medical condition-based recommendations
- Risk factor-based recommendations
- Consultation with a healthcare provider to develop a personalized vaccination plan It is essential to note that the ACIP's recommendations are based on the latest available evidence and are subject to change as new information becomes available 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
2.6 Vaccination Schedule for Adults 18 Years of Age and Older The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Adult Vaccination Schedule
The recommended adult vaccination schedule includes tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination.
- Tdap vaccination is recommended for adults aged 18-64 years whose most recent tetanus vaccination was ≥10 years prior 2.
- For adults with infant contact and health-care personnel (HCP) with direct patient contact, the single recommended Tdap dose is suggested to be administered as soon as 2 years after the last tetanus vaccination 2.
- Decennial boosters are recommended for elderly persons who have received primary tetanus vaccination in the past 3.
- Routine immunization of seniors against pertussis every ten years yields a high level of protection of older individuals, and at the same time contributes to epidemiological control of pertussis in the population 3.
Vaccination Coverage
- Self-reported tetanus vaccination coverage (vaccination within the preceding 10 years) was 60.4% in 1999 and 61.6% in 2008 in the US 2.
- Among adults aged 18-64 years, Tdap coverage was estimated to be 5.9% in 2008 2.
- A substantial lack of adherence by Italian regional healthcare services to current national recommendations on tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis adult vaccination was shown, with a national vaccination coverage rate of 10.6% 4.
Alternative Vaccination Strategies
- A single booster shot at age 65 is considered a feasible alternative strategy, possibly administrable along with other already-recommended, age-specific vaccines 4.
- Clinical decision support alerts can reduce potentially unnecessary tetanus vaccinations in the emergency department by warning providers when ordering a tetanus vaccine if a prior one had been given within 10 years 5.
Interactions with Other Vaccines
- Tdap vaccination 3-4 weeks before administration of pneumococcal CRM197-conjugate vaccine (coadministered with quadrivalent meningococcal TT-conjugate vaccine) significantly reduced the geometric mean titres to seven of the 13 pneumococcal serotypes in adults 6.
- Deferring tetanus/diphtheria until after administering the conjugate vaccine is recommended to avoid immune interference 6.