Adult vaccinations should not be overlooked. There are some infectious diseases that continue to be a risk, even in adulthood. For example, you should receive a booster for tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years. “Also, if you’re an adult and you don’t know if you’ve had chickenpox, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated for it,” says Erin A. Flanagan-Klygis, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics and an attending pediatrician at Rush Children’s Hospital. Chickenpox can be overwhelming for the adult immune system.

In addition, some common diseases carry more risks for people as they age. For example, pneumonia caused by influenza or by pneumococcal infection has the potential to be life-threatening for some older adults.

Here’s a helpful list from the CDC of some common vaccines for adults:

Vaccines needed by adults

• Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccine (all adults, every 10 years)
• Hepatitis B vaccines (adults at risk, such as health care workers)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine (susceptible adults, such as health care workers or adults whose jobs requires that they work closely with children)
• Vaccines for travelers (vary by destination of travel)
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine (susceptible adults, such as adults whose job requires that they work closely with children)

Vaccines needed for those age 50 and older

• Influenza vaccine (for the flu)

Vaccines needed for those age 65 and older

• Pneumococcal vaccine (for pneumonia)

Vaccines needed for healthcare workers

• Hepatitis B
• Influenza vaccine
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine