Vaccination for adults
On this page
- Why vaccination is important for adults
- Vaccines for adults
- Vaccines for people who could become pregnant
- Vaccines for older adults
- Vaccines for adult travellers
Why vaccination is important for adults
Vaccination isn't just for children. Vaccines protect you and those around you from vaccine-preventable diseases.
As we get older, there are certain diseases that are more common or cause more serious illness, even for healthy adults. This is why additional vaccines are needed as we get older.
Some adults may have missed one or more of their vaccines. They may need to catch up and get these vaccines now.
Keep up to date with your vaccines to prevent the spread of disease to those who may be more likely to get sick from them. This includes:
- babies
- young children
- people who are pregnant
- people with weakened immune systems due to certain medical conditions or treatments
This protection of the people around us is known as community immunity or herd immunity.
Learn more:
- Vaccine safety and possible side effects
- Vaccine records: Access your or your child's vaccination history
Vaccines for adults
Some vaccines are recommended for all adults, while others may be recommended based on individual risk factors, such as:
- age
- travel
- activities
- underlying illness
- occupation (for instance, if you're a health care worker)
You should talk with a health care provider, or your local public health unit or office about:
- which vaccines you need
- the number of doses needed to ensure you're up to date with your recommended vaccinations
Your health care provider may ask questions about your medical history, including:
- what vaccines you've had in the past
- if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you have any health conditions
- any medications or treatments that may affect your immune system
- your type of work
- if you have upcoming travel
Provinces and territories have differences in how vaccines are provided and which vaccines are publicly funded.
Adults may need a vaccine for the following vaccine-preventable diseases:
- chickenpox (varicella)
- COVID-19
- diphtheria
- flu (seasonal influenza)
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- measles
- mumps
- meningococcal disease
- pneumococcal disease
- polio
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- rubella
- shingles (herpes zoster)
- tetanus
- whooping cough (pertussis)
Learn more:
Vaccines for people who could become pregnant
During pregnancy, your immune system changes. This can put you and your baby at risk for a number of serious infectious diseases and complications. Infections during pregnancy can also affect your baby, potentially resulting in:
- birth defects
- premature birth
- miscarriage (losing a baby before birth)
- death
Since an unplanned pregnancy can happen, it's important to keep your vaccinations up to date at all times. Talk to your health care provider, or your local public health unit or office about your vaccination status.
Learn more:
Vaccines for older adults
Some vaccine-preventable diseases are more common and severe with age, as our immune system may not respond as well as we get older. This puts us at a greater risk for severe illness and complications from certain diseases, including:
- flu
- RSV
- shingles
- COVID-19
- pneumococcal disease
It's also important to make sure routine vaccines are up to date for diseases such as:
- tetanus
- diphtheria
- whooping cough (pertussis)
Learn more:
Vaccines for adult travellers
Travelling to other countries can increase your risk for certain diseases. Vaccination may prevent diseases that are rare in Canada but common in other parts of the world.
Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before travelling to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it's still worthwhile to make an appointment.
The vaccines you may need will depend on several factors, including:
- where you plan to travel
- planned activities
- the length of your trip
- other individual health or risk factors
Learn more: