Vaccines are one of, if not the, most important developments in public health history, and despite nearly a century of data, some people still doubt their safety and efficacy. Infectious disease experts, however, do not—and if you’re 50 years old or older, you’re going to want to get certain specific jabs to keep yourself safe from some awful (and awfully contagious) illnesses.
Dr. Julie Myers, MD, MPH, deputy chief medical officer at MetroPlusHealth, told Parade that you’ll obviously want to consult with your personal physician to find out which shots will be best for your own needs, but know that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the rare (and usually very minor) risks.
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“For most vaccines, the only risks are extremely minor, namely a sore arm at the site where the vaccine was administered. Importantly, manufactured vaccines are continually and closely monitored for safety,” Dr. Myers assured us. “Some vaccines have more rare but serious side effects. For example, the influenza vaccine rarely causes a grave neurologic syndrome called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Also very rarely, people can have an allergic reaction to a vaccine which requires emergency treatment such as with a shot of epinephrine.”
Dr. Brian Labus, PhD., MPH, REHS, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Public Health, concurred, explaining that vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize a pathogen before you are naturally exposed: “Part of this recognition can involve a minor immune response, which can include a low-grade fever, fatigue and muscle aches that resolve in a day or two,” he previously told Parade, noting that most people don’t even get those reactions, either. “The most common side effect of any type of vaccination is a sore arm.”
Since we’re in the midst of a measles outbreak in the year of our lord 2025 (how?), let’s rip off that bandaid first: Should adults who previously got vaccinated for measles get a booster to protect ourselves?
According to Dr. Myers, probably not.
“Illness with measles can be very severe and event fatal. Luckily, the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective,” she said. “All told, 99% of individuals who receive two doses of vaccine become immune to measles. Therefore, it is very rare for people with normal immune systems to still be susceptible to measles after two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
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She added, “Even if an adult does not recall receiving a vaccine in the past, individuals born before 1957 are considered immune to measles because they were likely exposed at some point early in their lives. In a true outbreak, boosters are recommended for anyone who is incompletely vaccinated, either kids or adults.”
Phew! That said, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about overall vaccination recommendations to be sure you’re keeping yourself as safe as possible from communicable viruses.
“Some adults, depending on their personal risk factors and vaccination history, may have a reason to receive additional vaccinations, such as those against the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, mpox, HPV, meningococcal or other infections,” Dr. Myers said. “Primary care physicians can help guide patients through the process of achieving full protection.”
With that out of the way, these are the vaccinations and boosters that infectious disease experts recommend, especially for patients 50 and older.
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Recommended Vaccines and Boosters for All Adults
Influenza vaccine (flu shot)
“Everyone, adults and kids alike, needs a new influenza vaccine annually,” Dr. Myers says. “The vaccine changes a bit every year in response to the strains of flu from the year prior, so it is not technically a booster.”
Related: Can You Get Your COVID Booster and Flu Shot At the Same Time? Here’s What Doctors Say
COVID-19 vaccine and booster
“The COVID-19 vaccine is currently recommended for everyone six months and older, but especially for those 50 and older,” Dr. Myers advised. “In the future, it is likely going to be recommended as an annual vaccine like the influenza vaccine.”
A big bonus to the COVID-19 vaccine is that it’s been shown to prevent long COVID and may even protect your cognitive health and heart health if you do get infected.
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDAP) booster
Dr. Myers recommends all adults get a TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster every 10 years. You’ll get one shot with all three vaccines in one.
Related: Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Get Some Vaccines Every Year, According to Infectious Disease Experts
Recommended Vaccines and Boosters for People 50+
Zoster vaccine (shingles vaccine)
Dr. Myers recommends the zoster vaccine for patients 50 and older. It has two doses and protects people from shingles, an excruciatingly painful rash associated with chicken pox.
RSV vaccine
“The RSV vaccine is a new vaccine for people 75 and older as well as for some people ages 60 to 74 who either live in a nursing home or have certain medical conditions that place them at higher risk for severe illness if infected,” Dr. Myers explained. “The virus itself causes a severe respiratory illness.”
Related: The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do Before Getting a Vaccine, According To Infectious Disease Experts
Pneumococcal vaccine
“The pneumonia vaccine, also called the pneumococcal vaccine, is approved for us in adults aged 50 or older as well as some adults 19 to 49 who have chronic conditions or who smoke or suffer from alcoholism,” Dr. Myers says.
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Related: These Are the Vaccine Side Effects You Should Worry About, According to Infectious Disease Experts
Sources
- Dr. Brian Labus, PhD., MPH, REHS
- Dr. Julie Myers, MD, MPH
