From the Guidelines
All adults aged 18-80 years should follow the recommended vaccine schedule, which includes annual influenza vaccination, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, and other vaccinations based on age and risk factors, as outlined in the 2019 recommended adult immunization schedule 1. The vaccine schedule is tailored to different age groups, with specific recommendations for each group.
- For adults aged 19-21 years, recommended vaccinations include influenza, Tdap, MMR, varicella, and HPV 1.
- For adults aged 22-26 years, recommended vaccinations include influenza, Tdap or Td, MMR, varicella, and HPV 1.
- For adults aged 27-49 years, recommended vaccinations include influenza, Tdap or Td, MMR, varicella, and HPV for those who weren't adequately vaccinated earlier 1.
- For adults aged 50-64 years, recommended vaccinations include influenza, Tdap or Td, MMR, varicella, zoster recombinant (RZV), and pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) 1.
- For adults aged 65 years and older, recommended vaccinations include influenza, Tdap or Td, MMR, varicella, zoster recombinant (RZV), pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13), and pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) 1. It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best vaccine schedule based on individual health conditions, occupation, lifestyle, and previous vaccination history 1.
From the Research
Recommended Vaccine Schedule for Adults
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides a recommended immunization schedule for adults aged 19 years or older in the United States 2. The schedule includes several updates and is intended to support healthcare providers in making recommendations for individual patients.
Vaccines Recommended for Adults
- Influenza vaccine: recommended annually for all adults aged ≥18 years 3
- COVID-19 vaccine: recommended annually for all adults aged ≥18 years 3
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine: recommended for adults aged ≥75 years and for those aged 60-74 years who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease 3
- Other vaccines: recommendations vary based on age, health status, and other factors, and can be found in the ACIP-recommended immunization schedule 2, 4
Timing of Vaccination
- Influenza vaccine: modifying the timing of vaccination to minimize the time between vaccination and influenza activity may be beneficial in older adults 5
- COVID-19 vaccine: no specific guidance on timing of vaccination is provided in the available evidence
- RSV vaccine: no specific guidance on timing of vaccination is provided in the available evidence
Resources
- The 2025 adult immunization schedule can be found on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/index.html 2
- The full ACIP recommendations for each vaccine are available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html 4