Vaccination for adults

Vaccines aren't just for babies and children. Learn why vaccination is important for adults too.

COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect us against COVID-19. Vaccines will be available at no charge over the course of 2021 to everyone in Canada.

Vaccination will begin with groups who are at risk of:

exposure to COVID-19
severe illness and death from COVID-19

Everyone else will be able to get vaccinated once these groups have received their vaccine.

What you should know about vaccines for COVID-19

Why vaccination is important for adults

Vaccination isn't just for children. Vaccines are safe and protect you and those around you from vaccine-preventable diseases.

As we get older, the protection we had from previous vaccination can decrease for some diseases. Getting another dose (called a booster) can increase our immunity to provide the best protection. Some adults may have missed one or more of their vaccines. They may need to catch up and get these vaccines now.

There are also diseases that are more common in adults, even healthy adults. This is why additional vaccines are needed as we get older.

By keeping up to date with vaccines, adults can prevent the spread of disease to those who may be more likely to get sick from them. These include:

babies
young children
people who are pregnant
people with certain medical conditions, such as those who have weakened immunity

This is known as community immunity or herd immunity.

Check if your vaccines are up to date. Talk to your health care provider to see what you need to be fully protected.

Learn more about:

Vaccines for adults

Adults should discuss the type and number of vaccines they need with a health care provider. Your health care provider may ask questions about your medical history, including:

what vaccines you had in the past
if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant
if you have health conditions
your type of work
if you have upcoming travel

Adults may need a vaccine for the following vaccine-preventable diseases:

chicken pox (varicella)
diphtheria
hepatitis A
hepatitis B
HPV (human papillomavirus)
measles
meningococcal
mumps
pneumococcal
polio
rubella
shingles
tetanus
whooping cough (pertussis)

Vaccines for people who could become pregnant

Vaccination is important for everyone of reproductive age, whether planning a pregnancy or not.

During pregnancy, your immune system changes and this can put you at risk for a number of serious infectious diseases and complications. Your baby can also be affected by these infections, which can result 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. This will help protect you and your baby from certain infections that could cause serious complications. Talk to your health care provider about your vaccination status.

Learn more about vaccination and pregnancy.

Vaccines for adults 60 years of age and older

Some vaccine preventable disease are more common with age, as our immune system may not respond as well as we get older. This puts us at a greater risk for certain diseases, including:

flu
shingles
pneumococcal disease

The flu is more likely to cause severe illness and even death in older adults.

It's also important to make sure routine vaccines are up to date for diseases such as:

diphtheria
tetanus
whooping cough (pertussis)

Vaccines for adult travellers

Travelling to other countries can increase your risk for certain diseases. Discuss your travel plans with your health care provider or a travel clinic as far ahead of departure as possible.

Vaccination may prevent diseases that are common in other parts of the world. These include:

cholera
hepatitis A
hepatitis B
Japanese encephalitis
meningococcal
rabies
typhoid
yellow fever

Learn more about travel vaccinations.

Vaccine schedule for adults

It's recommended that adults get vaccinated for common diseases at certain stages of their life.

Recommended vaccines for all healthy adults

Diphtheria and tetanus

Every 10 years.

Shingles

1 or 2 doses starting at age 50.

Flu

Every year.

Whooping cough (pertussis)

1 dose as an adult and during each pregnancy.

Pneumococcal

1 dose at 65 years or older.

Other vaccines you may need

Hepatitis A

2 doses.

Hepatitis B

3 or 4 doses.

HPV (human papillomavirus)

3 doses.

Measles, mumps and rubella

1 or 2 doses.

Meningococcal

1 or more doses.

Chicken pox (varicella)

2 doses.

Travel vaccines

Varies.

You may need more or fewer vaccines depending on your medical history and risks. Talk to your health care provider about the right vaccines for you.

Provinces and territories have differences in how vaccines are provided and which vaccines are publicly funded.