We may become older and wiser, but our immune systems are more likely to be weaker than they once were. People aged 65 and above are at the highest risk of developing serious flu complications. A healthy adult 65 and older is 10x more likely to be hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia.
This makes it easier for infections to occur, ultimately leading to more severe symptoms. Fortunately, staying up to date on vaccines can help protect seniors from many preventable illnesses and complications.
Here’s an overview of the recommended vaccines for older adults in 2025:
Ages 50–64
- COVID-19: Updated vaccine recommended for all adults 18+ (annual 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine).
- Flu: Annual vaccine.
- Pneumococcal pneumonia: Recommended if you have never received it before and you are 50+
- Shingles: Two doses for all adults 50+.
- Td/Tdap: Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster every 10 years, or Tdap once if you never had it as a child; Tdap also during each pregnancy.
Ages 60 and Up
- COVID-19: At 65+, recommended to receive 2 doses of any 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine, 6 months apart.
- Flu: Annual vaccine.
- Pneumococcal: Recommended if you have never received it before and you are 50+
- Shingles: Two doses for adults 50+.
- RSV: Adults 60–74 are at increased risk, and all adults 75+ should get one dose.
- Td/Tdap: Booster every 10 years; Tdap once if never received as a child; Tdap in each pregnancy.
Other Guidance
- If you were born before 1957, you are assumed to be immune to measles, mumps, and rubella and do not need the MMR vaccine.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is still recommended for all adults 18 and older, especially since protection decreases over time and new variants can appear (this is why the 2024-2025 vaccine is suggested).
Tips if You Can’t Find Your Vaccine Records
- Ask previous healthcare providers, schools, or jobs for records.
- Check your state’s immunization registry.
- If you cannot find your records, it is safe to get vaccines again; extra doses are not harmful.
Addressing Common Concerns
The CDC continues to recommend immunizations for adults, especially seniors, to prevent severe disease.
According to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, RSV vaccines are now available for adults 60 and older, with three approved options in the U.S. (Arexvy, Abrysvo, and mResvia). One dose protects against severe RSV for up to two years and is recommended for all adults 75+, as well as adults 60–74 who are at increased risk.
You may have heard conflicting information about vaccines from public figures and in the news. For example, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has questioned the safety or necessity of certain vaccines. In 2025, Secretary Kennedy replaced members of a key CDC vaccine advisory committee with individuals known for vaccine skepticism. This move has been criticized by former committee members and many in the scientific community. They warn that it could undermine rigorous, evidence-based review and public confidence in vaccinations.
Age-Appropriate Vaccines Are Still Recommended
Despite these policy shifts, leading medical organizations, including the CDC, continue to strongly recommend age-appropriate vaccinations for adults and seniors. Research consistently shows vaccines are safe and help prevent serious disease.
The COVID-19 vaccine remains on the recommended schedule for adults because protection decreases over time and new variants appear.
