Vaccines for Adults

Many of the same vaccines recommended for children are recommended for adults. Vaccines during adulthood are often boosters to maintain your immune system’s memory on how to fight diseases it was vaccinated for in childhood. Recommendations for adults depend on individual factors such as if and when you were vaccinated as a child, pregnancy, age, or being immunocompromised. Talk to a doctor or visit a health clinic to learn how to stay up to date on your vaccines. Below is a list of some vaccines recommended for adults. 

Immune System and Aging

Understanding how your immune system changes with age can help you make decisions to protect yourself. Aging causes changes in the immune system that weaken its ability to identify and eliminate pathogens efficiently. This can lead to a higher risk of infections and a decline in overall well-being, which is why some vaccines are recommended for older adults based on age. 

Changes to the aging immune system include: 

Increased Inflammation: Alterations in the immune system that occur in response to age-related changes and obesity can contribute to increased inflammation in the body, raising the risk for certain diseases.  

Shrinking of the Thymus: The thymus gets smaller in size with age. This “thymus shrinkage” is a natural process that can affect immune health by reducing the production of new T cells. 

Reduced Antibody Function: As we age, antibodies become less effective at fighting infections and responding to vaccines, weakening the immune system and making it harder to stay healthy. 

It is important to talk to a doctor or visit a health clinic to discuss which vaccination you need to protect yourself against common pathogens as you age.