Preventive Care
The Vaccines Adults Actually Need
Why Adults Still Need Vaccines
Most people think of vaccines as something you get as a kid and then forget about. That's not quite how it works. Some of the protection you built up in childhood fades over time. Other vaccines didn't exist when you were young. And a few are designed specifically for conditions that become more relevant as you get older.
The honest truth is that a lot of adults are behind on vaccines and don't know it. Not because they're being careless, but because no one sat down with them and went through what they actually need now. That's something we can fix at a regular visit.
The Core Vaccines for Every Adult
Flu vaccine. Every year, ideally in early fall. The flu strains circulating each season change, which is why last year's shot doesn't cover you this year. For most healthy adults, the flu is miserable but manageable. For older adults, people with chronic conditions, and anyone living with someone vulnerable, it can be serious. Getting vaccinated is one of the more straightforward things you can do to protect yourself and the people around you.
COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC updates its guidance on COVID vaccines regularly as new variants emerge and as research continues. The current recommendation is to stay up to date with the most recent formulation. If you're not sure where you stand, we can look that up with you at your visit.
Tdap and Td. Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). You need one dose of Tdap as an adult if you didn't get it after age 11, and then a Td booster every 10 years after that. Whooping cough in particular can be dangerous for infants, so if there's a new baby in your life, being up to date on Tdap matters more than you might think.
Age-Specific Vaccines
Shingrix (shingles vaccine). Recommended starting at age 50. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and if you had chickenpox as a kid, that virus is still in your body. Shingrix is a two-dose series, and it's significantly more effective than the older shingles vaccine (Zostavax) that some patients received years ago. If you got Zostavax, you can still get Shingrix.
Pneumonia vaccines. Pneumococcal disease causes a type of pneumonia that can be severe in older adults. The CDC recommends vaccination starting at age 65, though if you have certain health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or a weakened immune system, you may need it earlier. The current options are PCV20 (a single shot) or a combination of PCV15 followed by PPSV23. We'll help you figure out which applies to you and whether you've already had one of the older formulations.
RSV vaccine. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) has been a serious concern for older adults for a long time, and now there's a vaccine for it. It's recommended for adults 60 and older, and also for pregnant individuals during RSV season to protect newborns. This is a newer vaccine, so many adults haven't had it yet.
Hepatitis B. If you were vaccinated as a child, you're likely covered. But many adults who grew up before the hepatitis B vaccine became routine never received it. The CDC now recommends it for all adults through age 59, and for adults 60 and older based on individual risk and preference. It's a three-dose series, and it protects against a virus that can cause serious liver disease.
What Is Optional and What Is Not
There's a difference between "optional" and "not recommended." When the CDC lists a vaccine as recommended, that means the evidence supports it for most people in that group. It's not a suggestion to consider if you feel like it.
HPV vaccine. Recommended for everyone through age 26. For adults between 27 and 45, it's a shared decision, meaning you and your doctor talk through whether it makes sense for you based on your history and risk. It's not automatically recommended for everyone in that age range, but it's not off the table either.
Hepatitis A. Recommended for adults at increased risk, including people who travel internationally, people with chronic liver disease, and others. If you're planning travel to certain regions, this is worth discussing before you go.
Travel vaccines. These depend entirely on where you're going and for how long. Typhoid, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and others may be needed depending on your destination. If you have a trip coming up, bring it up at your visit so we can look at what you need and how much lead time is required.
Getting Caught Up at Pandora Family Medicine
We stock the most commonly needed adult vaccines on site. For most of them, you don't need a separate appointment. Come in for a physical or a follow-up visit, and we can review what you're due for and take care of it the same day.
Bring records from a previous doctor or pharmacy if you have them. No records? We can work with what you know and, in some cases, do immunity testing to see whether you're already protected before giving a vaccine you may not need.
On cost: Most CDC-recommended vaccines are covered at no out-of-pocket cost under preventive care benefits, whether you have private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. We'll check your coverage before administering anything so there are no surprises. If something isn't covered, we'll tell you the cost upfront.
Being up to date on vaccines is one of those things that's easy to let slide when nothing feels urgent. But the best time to get caught up is before you need it. If you're not sure where you stand, that's a perfectly good reason to schedule a visit.