Vaccines are not just for children—adults also need protection against serious illness from diseases like tetanus, hepatitis, shingles and pneumonia. In fact, most adults in Vermont choose to get vaccinated, just as they do for their children. Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations throughout your life helps protect you, your family, and your community from illnesses that can cause severe complications.
If you plan to travel outside the country, you may need immunizations for diseases that aren’t common in the United States, like cholera and Yellow fever. Plan to get these immunizations at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to give your body time to build up immunity.
It’s Ok to Have Questions
It’s normal to have questions about vaccinations! If you have questions or concerns, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist to decide what’s right for you and your family. Vaccines are a key part of staying healthy at every stage of life—make sure you’re protected!
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for all adults ages 75 and older are now available. Some adults aged 60-74 years with certain medical conditions should also be vaccinated. Talk to your provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you.
Recommended Vaccines by Group
The vaccines you need are based on your age, if you are pregnant, work in health care, are planning to travel, or live with a medical condition. You can always talk to your doctor about which vaccines are recommended for you.
People 65 and over with Medicare Part D drug coverage pay nothing out-of-pocket for a wide range of recommended vaccines.
- HPV Vaccine (Cervical and other cancers caused by HPV): Recommended for everyone up to age 26; a two-or three-dose series depending on age at initial vaccination. If you are over 26 years old, talk to your doctor about the HPV vaccine.
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): If not previously received, get a single dose, then a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years.
- Hepatitis A and B Vaccines: Two or three doses, depending on the specific vaccine and schedule.
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): If not previously received, get a single dose, then a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years.
- Hepatitis A and B Vaccines: Recommended for those at risk; talk with your health care provider.
- Shingles Vaccine: Two doses recommended for adults aged 50 and older.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumonia): Recommended for adults aged 50 and older; those aged 19-49 with certain health conditions should talk to their health care provider.
- RSV Vaccine (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): A single dose recommended for adults aged 75 and older; adults aged 60-74 with certain risk factors should talk to their health care provider.
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): A single dose if not previously received, then a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years.
Vaccination during pregnancy is crucial to protect both the expectant mother and the developing baby. The following vaccines are recommended:
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): It is recommended to receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks gestation. This timing helps maximize the transfer of antibodies to the baby, providing protection against whooping cough in early life.
- Influenza Vaccine: Pregnant people are advised to get a flu shot during the fall or winter months, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. The flu vaccine is safe during pregnancy and helps protect both mother and baby from influenza-related complications.
- RSV Vaccine (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): For those between 32 and 36 weeks gestation during the RSV season (September through January), the RSV vaccine is recommended. This vaccine can reduce the risk of severe RSV illness in newborns during their first months of life.
- COVID-19 Vaccine: Recommended for pregnant people at any stage of pregnancy, it helps protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and complications for both the parent and baby. Vaccination during pregnancy also provides antibodies to the newborn, offering early protection after birth.
It’s especially important for adults with chronic health conditions—such as COPD, asthma, heart disease, or diabetes—to stay informed about and receive vaccines that are specifically recommended for their condition, in addition to standard adult vaccines. Due to the higher risk of serious problems or complications from certain vaccine-preventable diseases associated with these conditions, you may require additional vaccinations beyond the typical adult schedule. Therefore, it's crucial to have a conversation with your doctor about which specific vaccines are recommended for you, based on your individual health needs.
If you work directly with patients or handle materials that could spread infection, you should get appropriate vaccines to reduce the chance that you will get or spread vaccine-preventable diseases.
All health care workers should make sure they’re up to date on these vaccines: COVID-19, Chickenpox (varicella), Flu (influenza), Hepatitis B, Meningococcal – especially lab workers who work with Neisseria meningitidis (MenACWY vaccine); measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine); or tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (Tdap or Td vaccine). You may need other vaccines, too. Talk with your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you.
Read the Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations from Immunize.org
If you plan to travel outside the country, you may need immunizations to protect yourself against diseases that aren’t common in the United States. Start planning early and follow these tips:
Make sure you are up to date on recommended vaccines. Talk with your health care provider and get any vaccines that you may have missed.
Learn about the recommended and required vaccines for the locations you will be visiting. This resource also has tips on staying safe and healthy on your trip.
Don’t wait and make an appointment as soon as possible. Plan to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip. This will give you time to build up immunity and get the best protection.
Get more information on recommended vaccines
Where to Get Vaccinated & What They Cost
You can get vaccinated at your primary care office, OB-GYN office, or pharmacy. In Vermont, the Health Department provides all recommended adult vaccines to primary care providers, free of charge. Providers may charge a small fee to administer vaccines, which is typically covered by insurance.
If you don’t have health insurance, you may be able to receive vaccines at no cost. Reach out to your local health office to learn more.
Please note that because Medicare does not participate in the Vermont Vaccine Program, state-supplied vaccines are not available for those 65 and older. If you are in this age group, please consult your health care provider or local pharmacy for vaccination options.
Use Vaccine.gov to find a pharmacy that offers vaccines near you.
Vaccination Records
Your health care provider should be able to provide an up-to-date copy of your vaccination records. All vaccines given should be recorded by your health care provider in the Vermont Immunization Registry, regardless of where you were vaccinated. You can also contact the Immunization Registry User Support for your vaccination records: 888-688-4667 (option 1) or [email protected].
