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7 Essential Vaccines for Adults 50+

As we age, our immune system naturally weakens, making adults over 50 more susceptible to serious infections and complications. Yet, many adults may skip, delay or be unaware of crucial vaccinations, putting themselves at risk for preventable diseases. Vaccination is a powerful tool for maintaining health, preventing severe disease, and reducing hospitalization risks. Getting vaccinated not only protects individuals but also helps protect those around them, especially vulnerable individuals with weakened immune systems. Our experts at Private Health Management summarize the latest guidance on seven essential vaccines recommended for adults aged 50 and older.

Recommended Vaccines

The following vaccines are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Physicians (ACP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).1 These vaccines are widely available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and community health clinics and are covered by most health insurance plans.

  1. Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV15, PCV20, PCV21, or PPSV23)

    Who needs it: Healthy adults aged 50 and older, or those 19-49 with certain risk factors such as smoking, chronic lung or heart disease, leukemia, lymphoma or alcoholism.
    Why it is important: Pneumococcal disease, which can lead to pneumonia, is serious, and potentially life-threatening. Adults over 65 face the highest risk of severe illness, with older adults being more likely to die from it
    How often: A single dose, if you have never been vaccinated before. Those who received older versions of the vaccine should check with their doctor about booster recommendations.

  2. Shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine (Shingrix®)

    Who needs it: Everyone aged 50 and older, even if they had the earlier recommended vaccine (Zostavax), or have already had shingles.
    Why it is important: One in three people will develop shingles, typically after age 50, with the risk increasing as they get older. The virus that causes chickenpox remains dormant in the body and can reactivate later in life, leading to painful blisters and nerve pain that can last months or years (postherpetic neuralgia).2
    How often: Shingrix comes in two doses, given two to six months apart.

  3. Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and/or the Td booster (tetanus, diphtheria)

    Who needs it: All adults.
    Why it is important: Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, has seen a spike in the U.S. in 2024, with more than five times the cases reported at the same time last year.4 The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine helps to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
    How often: Every 10 years.

  4. Influenza vaccine (Fluzone,® Fluvax®, and others)

    Who needs it: All adults.
    Why it is important: The flu leads to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths annually. Older adults face the highest risk, with those aged 65 and older accounting for 50–70% of flu-related hospitalizations and 70–85% of flu-related deaths.
    How often: Once a year. Flu season typically begins in October and ends in March, so vaccination is recommended by the end of October, since it takes about two weeks after a vaccination for flu-fighting antibodies to develop in the body. Adults aged 65 and older should opt for a high-dose version of the shot.

  5. COVID-19 vaccine (Updated Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech or Novavax)

    Who needs it: All adults, especially those aged 50 and older, who are at increased risk for complications from a coronavirus infection.
    Why it is important: Since it first emerged in the U.S., COVID-19 has claimed nearly 1.2 million lives and hospitalized millions more.6 Adults aged 50 and older face a higher risk, as they are more likely to experience severe complications from the virus.
    How often: Health officials haven’t set a schedule for COVID-19 vaccines, but it’s likely the shot will become an annual one for some people at least, much like the flu vaccine.

  6. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine (Arexvy™, Abrysvo®, or mRESVIA®)

    Who needs it: Adults aged 75 and older and those ages 60–74 who live in nursing homes or who have certain medical conditions that put them at increased risk for severe illness, like heart and lung disease.
    Why it is important: While RSV is commonly linked to children, it can also pose a serious threat to older adults. Each year, it leads to 60,000–160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000–10,000 deaths among those 65 and older. Clinical trials have shown that vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe symptoms from an infection.
    How often: For now, a single dose is recommended, however, these guidelines may change as this is a new vaccine.

  7. Hepatitis B Vaccine (Engerix-B®, Heplisav-B®, or Recombivax®)

    Who needs it: All adults 60+ should consider it. Anyone younger than 60 who has risk factors for Hepatitis B infection (e.g., diabetes, liver disease).
    Why it is important: Protects against liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.
    How often:
    • If unvaccinated: The standard Hep B vaccine series consists of 3 doses given over 6 months (0, 1, and 6 months).
    • Alternative schedules: Some newer versions offer 2-dose (over 1 month) or 3-dose (over 2 months) options.
    • If you’ve had some doses but not all: You can resume the series without restarting it.

Some adults at high risk due to travel or lifestyle factors may also consider vaccination for Hepatitis A.

Consult with your healthcare provider to determine which vaccines are right for you based on your age, health conditions, and other factors.

References

  1. CDC. Recommended Vaccinations for Adults. Vaccines & Immunizations https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-schedules/adult-easyread.html (2025).
  2. Pilishvili, T. & Bennett, N. M. Pneumococcal Disease Prevention Among Adults: Strategies for the Use of Pneumococcal Vaccines. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 49, S383–S390 (2015).
  3. Gershon, A. A. et al. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of herpes zoster. J Clin Virol 48 Suppl 1, S2-7 (2010).
  4. US whooping cough cases soar, but public knowledge of the contagious disease remains low | CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/pertussis/us-whooping-cough-cases-soar-public-knowledge-contagious-disease-remains-low.
  5. Flu deaths high in hospitalized elderly, up to 30 days after discharge, new data show | CIDRAP. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/flu-deaths-high-hospitalized-elderly-30-days-after-discharge-new-data-show (2024).
  6. CDC. COVID Data Tracker. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker (2020).
  7. CDC. Preliminary Estimates of RSV Burden for 2024-2025. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/php/surveillance/burden-estimates.html (2024).

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Sheley Baylon

Sheley Baylon, PharmD

Senior Research Director & Head of Pharmacology

Sheley Baylon is a licensed Doctor of Pharmacy with twelve years of experience in pharmacy and laboratory research. Previously, she worked at Loma Linda University Medical Center, advising patients on chemotherapy regimens and investigational medications. At Private Health Management, Sheley reviews medical literature to create patient-friendly reports, helping clients make informed health decisions.
Abby Dean

Abbey Dean, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Clinical Director | Nurse Practitioner

Abbey Dean is a Senior Clinical Director at Private Health Management, providing comprehensive care and case management to clients and their families. At the height of the pandemic, she also contributed to PHM’s COVID-19 Comprehensive Care Services team. With more than seven years of clinical experience in acute care, cardiology, and family medicine, Abbey is a dedicated clinician with a strong background in managing complex medical cases. She is board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), ANCC, and Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN). Abbey holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Florida Gulf Coast University.