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CHI Saint Joseph Health 2 minute read

Vaccines Can Provide Powerful Protection

Vaccines can prevent serious illnesses and could even save your life. Here's what you need to know to keep up with immunizations.
All categories CHI Saint Joseph Health Screenings and Immunizations
vaccine protection

Vaccines can prevent serious illnesses and could even save your life. They are also required for children to attend public schools, summer camps and, in some cases, to travel abroad. The vaccines you need may depend on your current and past health history — people with certain medical conditions may need to get some vaccinations more frequently and avoid others. Your CHI Saint Joseph Health primary care provider (PCP) is your best source of information about which vaccines your family needs, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following vaccines for healthy children and adults:

Everyone 6 months and older:

  • Annual flu shots every fall
  • COVID-19 vaccination
  • COVID-19 boosters as recommended by the CDC or your PCP

Babies:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Rotavirus
  • Hib
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio

Age 1:

  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Varicella (chickenpox)

4:

  • DTaP booster
  • MMR booster
  • Polio booster
  • Varicella booster

Age 11:

  • Tdap
  • HPV
  • Meningitis

Age 16:

  • Meningitis booster

Age 18 and older:

  • Tdap booster every 10 years and/or when pregnant
  • MMR boosters if born after 1957
  • Varicella boosters if born after 1980
  • Hepatitis A and B if you did not receive them as a child
  • HPV if you did not receive it as a child and only if your doctor recommends
  • Meningitis and/or boosters if needed

Age 50 and older:

  • Shingles vaccine

Age 65 and older:

  • Pneumococcal vaccine

Staying healthy starts with a strong relationship with your doctor. Find a provider near me.