10 Recommended Adult Vaccines

Zoster (shingles)

Who should get it: People ages 60 and up.
How often: Once

Varicella (chicken pox)

Who should get it: Anyone who has never had the illness or never been vaccinated (but not pregnant women).
How often: 2 doses over 4 to 8 weeks

Hepatitis A

Who should get it: Those who share needles, travel to certain countries, or have chronic liver disease.
How often: 2 doses over 12 to 18 months

Hepatitis B

Who should get it: HIV patients; health care providers; those who travel to certain countries or have multiple sex partners, chronic liver disease, failing kidneys, or renal disease.
How often: 3 doses over 6 months

HPV

Who should get it: Girls and women who haven't been infected.
How often: 3 doses over 6 months

Influenza

Who should het it: Everyone, especially those ages 50 and up and those with weakened immune systems.
How often: Yearly

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Who should get it: Those under 50 (except pregnant women); some HIV patients; people with diabetes, failing kidneys, or chronic lung, heart, or liver disease; those who've had their spleen removed or work in a health care facility.
How often: 1 or 2 doses, as needed

Meningococcal (meningitis)

Who should get it: Those who live in a college dorm, travel to certain countries, or have had their spleen removed.
How often: 1 or more doses, as needed

Pneumococcal (pneumonia)

Who should get it: Those 65 and older and people with diabetes or chronic heart, liver, or lung disease (but not asthma).
How often: Once; twice if you have certain risk factors

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough)

Who should get it: Everyone needs protection from tetanus and diphtheria; 19- to 64-year-olds also need the pertussis vaccine.
How often: Every 10 years. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor.