Adult Immunizations: Which Vaccines Do I Need?

Many immunizations were given during childhood to protect you from contagious diseases while your immune system was still developing. As an adult, you must stay current on certain immunizations to maximize your protection against potentially life-altering illnesses.

At Primary Care Walk-In Clinic, we offer a range of adult immunizations. We recommend that you stay current with immunizations as part of your preventive health care plan to avoid complications.

Our experienced medical providers can determine which vaccines you need based on your health and lifestyle.

Key benefits of adult immunizations

Adult immunizations protect against potentially serious, long-term health complications that certain bacteria and viruses cause. These complications may require hospitalization and ongoing medical care, which can be physically, mentally, and financially draining.

While immunizations may not prevent you from getting certain infections or diseases, they can significantly reduce the severity of your symptoms.

Staying updated on vaccines as an adult can also slow the spread of viruses in the population. You not only guard yourself from illness, but you also protect those in your family or community who can’t receive immunizations because of existing medical issues.

6 vaccines needed in adulthood

While many immunizations are safe and effective for adults, there are a few key vaccines you should stay current on throughout your adult years.

Our medical team recommends that otherwise healthy people receive immunizations and boosters like:

1. Seasonal flu vaccine

The influenza virus can cause potentially life-threatening side effects in adults, especially those with a weak immune system or a chronic lung disease.

Flu vaccines are recommended annually to protect against the specific strains of flu circulating through the population.

2. COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters guard against serious complications, including respiratory failure caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

3. Tdap

Tdap is a three-in-one immunization that protects you from contagious conditions like whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria, and tetanus.

Boosters are recommended for children and adults every 10 years.

4. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a contagious disease spread through body fluids exchanged through personal and sexual contact. The disease damages your liver and increases your risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.  

Adults between 19 and 64 should stay updated on hepatitis immunizations.

5. Human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Some strains of HPV are linked to reproductive cancers in men and women.

HPV vaccinations are available for individuals aged 26 and under.

6. Shingles

The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults aged 50 and over who have a history of chickenpox, a virus that can lay dormant in the body. When reactivated, shingles cause a painful rash on one side of the face or body.

Additionally, as an adult, you may need other vaccines and boosters based on your medical history and current health. If you plan to travel outside of the United States, our team can recommend the travel vaccines you might need to protect against malaria and other contagious diseases that are more common in other countries.

To get updates on adult immunizations, call the Primary Walk-In Medical Clinic office in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, or Gilbert, Arizona, today or book a consultation online. You can also visit the clinic on a walk-in basis without an appointment.