Even if you received the vaccines you needed as a child, the protection for some vaccines can wear off. Every year, thousands of adults in the U.S. become seriously ill and are hospitalized because of diseases that vaccines can help prevent.
All adults need a COVID-19 vaccine, a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine, and Td or Tdap vaccine. Depending on your job, lifestyle, health conditions or travel plans, you might be at risk for other diseases. Visit this site to see what vaccines are recommended for you.
Vaccines also lower the risk of you spreading disease to loved ones. Some people may not be able to get certain vaccines and they rely on you to help prevent them from getting sick. Infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems (like those undergoing cancer treatment) are especially vulnerable to infectious disease. For example, newborn babies are too young to be vaccinated against whooping cough.