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Home ❯ Patient resources ❯ Immunizations

Immunization for adults: Stay protected as you age 

As people get older, their immune systems naturally weaken, making them more susceptible to infections and less able to fight off diseases.2 Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting older adults against serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends these six vaccinations specifically for adults aged 65 and older.3 

COVID-19

Adults are advised to receive a minimum of one COVID-19 vaccine dose each year, with individuals aged 65 and above recommended to get two doses.3

The COVID-19 vaccine not only helps prevent illness but also reduces the severity of symptoms, hospitalization risk, and COVID-related mortality if infection occurs.4

Flu

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for all adults.3 Thousands of people die from influenza each year in the United States.5 Vaccination reduces the likelihood of illness and typically results in milder cases if infected.6  

For adults 65 and older, a high-dose flu shot is suggested.6  

While September or October is the ideal time for vaccination (as flu infections peak between December and February,7 getting vaccinated later is still good for.6 But if you miss that window, it’s better to get vaccinated later than to skip it altogether. 

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) typically causes mild cold symptoms but can be severe in older adults, potentially leading to hospitalization.2

The CDC recommends RSV vaccination for everyone 75 years and older, while those between 60 and 74 should consult their doctor about vaccination eligibility.8

Similar to the Flu, RSV season peaks during the fall and winter months, so it’s recommended to get vaccinated before then.2

Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection caused by bacteria that can lead to pneumonia, a potentially life-threatening condition in older.9  

The CDC recommends that adults over 50 get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, and those under 50 with certain risk factors may also benefit from vaccination.9 

Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) or Td

While most people are vaccinated in childhood, the CDC recommends a booster dose every 10 years to maintain protection against these diseases. If you’re unsure when you last received a Tdap or Td vaccine, consult your doctor to determine if you’re due for a booster. You can get Tdap, which covers all three, or Td, which covers just tetanus and diphtheria.10

Tdap and Td are vaccines that protect against serious bacterial infections. Here’s what they cover: 

Tdap: Protects against three diseases:10

  • Tetanus: A bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness and spasms 
  • Diphtheria: A bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory problems 
  • Pertussis (also known as whooping cough): A highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing fits 

Td: Protects against Tetanus and Diphtheria 

Shingles

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and since over 99% of people born before 1980 in the United States have had chickenpox, they are at risk of developing shingles.11  

About 1 in 3 people may get shingles, characterized by a painful and itchy rash on one side of the body.11 Complications can include prolonged nerve pain (lasting months or years in some cases), eye damage, and vision loss.12  

The CDC recommends 2 doses of the shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older, with some individuals under 50 potentially eligible as well.13

Other adult vaccinations

Adults may require additional vaccinations based on their specific circumstances, such as travel plans. For example, if you’re traveling outside the United States, you may need protection against typhoid fever or yellow fever.14 To determine the best course of action, consult your doctor, ideally during your next annual wellness visit, to discuss your vaccination history and identify any necessary vaccines. Your doctor will create a personalized plan to ensure you’re up to date on all recommended vaccinations. Would you like to know more about travel vaccinations or other recommended adult vaccines? 

Immunization for your child

At Optum, we believe the best approach is to follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Please contact your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions about pediatric vaccinations. 

View Optum’s full pediatric vaccine policy  › 

Pediatric immunization policy 

Our pediatrics department is committed to delivering the highest quality health care in a safe and welcoming environment. Our relationship with patients and families is based on mutual respect, openness, and trust. With this goal, we partner with families and educate caretakers and children about how to maximize their health. We are proud to say that our policies and practices adhere to the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 

With this in mind, we are thankful that today’s medicine allows us to prevent life threatening diseases through vaccination. Vaccines are consistently monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the division within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), who’s recommendations for vaccinations are covered by health insurance without any cost-sharing requirements (such as a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible).15,16 These entities ensure that vaccines remain safe to use and provide the best outcomes. Although adverse reactions rarely occur17, studies have shown that vaccines prevent devastating diseases, decrease infant mortality/disability and keep kids healthy into adulthood.18

The safety of our patients and communities is our priority. However, we have found that we cannot provide high-level care without using the tools that allow us to prevent disease. As such, our practices include following the vaccination guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We have established protocols that enable our pediatricians to providing the highest quality care possible. This includes our providers’ right to opt out of providing care to children whose parents uniformly and unequivocally refuse to vaccinate them. We always hope that we can work with parents to improve their comfort level and increase their knowledge about the benefits of vaccines. We encourage you to bring any questions you have about vaccines and your child’s recommended vaccination schedule to your pediatrician so they can help you make informed decisions about your child’s health. Our pediatricians are committed to delivering health care in a trusting partnership with our patients, and thank you for maintaining the safety of our practice, community and the children we serve by adhering to the highest clinical standards of health guidelines. 

For more information about a child’s vaccination schedule, please visit the AAP website for immunization schedules.   

Sources:

  1. World Health Organization. Vaccines and immunization. Last updated March 8, 2024. Accessed November 3, 2025. 
  2. National Institute on Aging. Vaccinations and older adults. Last reviewed August 24, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended vaccinations for adults. Published November 22, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Last updated October 3, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts about estimated flu burden. Last reviewed August 14, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who needs a flu vaccine. Last reviewed October 3, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu season. Last updated October 28, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine VIS. Last reviewed October 17, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal vaccination: What everyone should know. Last reviewed October 26, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccination. Last reviewed June 26, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About shingles (herpes zoster). Last reviewed May 10, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (herpes zoster): Complications of shingles. Last reviewed April 19, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shingles (herpes zoster): Vaccination. Last reviewed May 10, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead. Last reviewed January 13, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2024. 
  15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shared clinical decision-making. Last reviewed January 7, 2025 Accessed November 3, 2025. 
  16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC monitoring program. Last reviewed August 7, 2024. Accessed November 3, 2025. 
  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing and managing adverse reactions. Last reviewed August 7, 2024. Accessed November 3, 2025. 
  18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health and economic benefits of routine childhood immunizations in the era of the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, 1994–2023. MMWR. Last reviewed August 8, 2024. Accessed November 3, 2025.