Adult Vaccinations: A shot worth taking
Becoming an adult doesn’t mean you’re done getting shots. As you age, the protection you received from childhood vaccines can wear off, and you’re also at risk for new age-related diseases like shingles or bacterial strep infections.¹
By keeping up with your recommend vaccinations, you can protect yourself, and others, from preventable diseases. To help you maintain your best health, we’ll discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended vaccines for adults and how you can get them.
Recommended vaccines for adults
The vaccines in the table below are recommended for all adults age 19 and older by the CDC.² Please note: Your age, job, health and lifestyle may impact the type of vaccines you need.
Consider talking to your healthcare provider about additional vaccines you may need as an adult, such as the Human papillomaviruses* (HPV), chicken pox, hepatitis A and B, measles mumps rubella (MMR) and pneumococcal vaccines.
* The HPV vaccine is recommended for young adults ages 11-26.
Where to find vaccines
Before getting a vaccine, check your Evidence of Coverage or benefit plan document (Certificate of Insurance or Summary Plan Description) to see if it's covered by your Humana plan and where you can go to receive the vaccine.
To do this, sign in to your MyHumana account, select “Coverage” from the main menu and find the “Documents and Forms page.” Here, you can view all your plan information. You can also speak with Humana member services by calling the number on the back of your member ID card.
We recommend going to your local pharmacy first to see if you can get your vaccines. It may be faster and easier than making an appointment with your healthcare provider, plus it may be covered by your Humana plan.
If you live near a CenterWell Pharmacy™ retail location, you may be able to get the vaccine you need there for little or no charge. Find a location near you. However, if you’re unable to visit a CenterWell Pharmacy location or your local pharmacy, speak with your healthcare provider about how you can get your vaccines.
Get your vaccines
Vaccines are safe, effective and lower your chances of becoming seriously ill or dying from infectious diseases. They do this by using your body’s natural defenses to develop immunity.³
If you’re behind on your recommended vaccines, work with your healthcare provider to get the vaccines you need. And if you’re not sure what vaccines you need, call your healthcare provider for help.
By staying up-to-date on your recommended vaccines as you age, you’ll protect yourself and others from preventable diseases.
Sources:
- “What vaccines are recommended for you,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed July 23, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/index.html.
- “Recommended adult immunization schedule for ages 19 years or older, United States, 2021,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed July 23, 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html.
- “10 Reasons to get vaccinated,” National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, last accessed July 23, 2021, https://www.nfid.org/immunization/10-reasons-to-get-vaccinated/.
Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider to determine what is right for you.