Adult Vaccination: Which Vaccinations Should Adults in India Consider?
Many people think vaccination ends with childhood. Once school vaccinations are complete, vaccines may not be discussed again until there is an injury requiring a tetanus shot or an outbreak of an infectious disease.
That said, vaccination is an essential aspect of preventive medicine. While some vaccine-induced immunity wanes over time, adults may have not received some vaccines at earlier ages, while some diseases become more severe with age and other health issues.
But what vaccines are required for adults?
Table of Content:
- Why Do Adults Need Vaccines?
- Which Vaccines May Adults Need?
- Why Is the Flu Vaccine Needed Regularly?
- What About Pneumococcal Vaccination?
- Do Adults Still Need Tetanus Vaccination?
- Who Should Consider Hepatitis Vaccination?
- What About HPV and Shingles Vaccines?
- “I’m 50, 60 or 70 and Healthy. Do I Still Need Vaccines?”
- Make Vaccination Part of Your Preventive Health Check
Why Do Adults Need Vaccines?
Vaccination helps the immune system recognise and react to certain infections. Adult immunisation may be needed for several reasons, including waning protection, age-related risk, chronic disease, occupation, pregnancy, travel and incomplete childhood vaccination.
There is no single adult immunisation schedule in India that is appropriate for every person. Vaccination should be personalised according to age, previous vaccination history, health conditions, occupation and other risk factors.
The Indian Medical Association’s life-course immunisation guidance includes several vaccines relevant to adolescents and adults, including influenza, hepatitis A and B, Tdap/Td, pneumococcal and others.
Which Vaccines May Adults Need?
Here is a simple overview:
| Vaccine | Who may need it? |
|---|---|
| Influenza | Older individuals, in particular seniors and those with elevated risk of complications |
| COVID-19 | As Per recommendations and personal risk factor |
| Pneumococcal | Senior population and selected individuals at increased risk |
| Td/Tdap | Adults who require tetanus, diphtheria, or who require appropriate boosters |
| Shingles (Zoster) | Older individuals and selected higher risk individuals |
| HPV | Adolescents and selected adults depending on age and medical advice |
| Hepatitis B | Individuals who are inadequately protected previously or who are at increased risk |
| Hepatitis A | Selected individuals based on risk, travel, or clinical indications |
There are also other vaccines that might be suitable, depending on travel situation, profession, previous immunity, and health situation.
Why Is the Flu Vaccine Needed Regularly?
Influenza is not simply a severe common cold. It can cause significant respiratory illness and complications, particularly among older people, pregnant women, healthcare workers, people with chronic diseases and those with weakened immunity. India’s NCDC identifies these groups among those at higher risk from seasonal influenza.
Unlike many vaccines, the influenza vaccine is generally given annually because circulating influenza strains change. Vaccine composition is therefore reviewed and updated.
The NCDC currently publishes seasonal influenza information and updated vaccine composition guidance for India, including information for the 2026 season.
What About Pneumococcal Vaccination?
Infections can feel due to pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia as well as other invasive diseases. The older you get and the more you have certain health issues, the more important the decision of getting a pneumococcal vaccine is.
Nevertheless, a kind of pneumococcal vaccine and vaccination schedule can differ. Do not forget to consider your age, past diseases and past vaccination history when determining your schedule.
Do Adults Still Need Tetanus Vaccination?
Tetanus vaccination is not for children only. Adults may also need to receive tetanus and diphtheria vaccines, where Tdap also protects against the whooping cough.
IMA life-course guidance includes Tdap/Td vaccination and booster recommendations for adults.
Instead of waiting until you suffer a cut or injury to think about tetanus, discuss your vaccination history during routine preventive healthcare visits.
Who Should Consider Hepatitis Vaccination?
Hepatitis B vaccination may be important for adults who were not previously vaccinated or who have increased exposure risk. Hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis A vaccination may be considered for selected adults based on factors such as medical risk, travel and individual circumstances.
If you cannot remember whether you completed a vaccination series, discuss this with your healthcare provider rather than automatically restarting vaccination.
What About HPV and Shingles Vaccines?
HPV vaccination is best known for helping prevent infections associated with cervical and several other cancers. While vaccination is particularly important at younger ages, selected adults may also be considered depending on age, previous vaccination and individual circumstances.
Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, becomes active again later in life. Vaccination against shingles may be considered for older adults and certain risk groups.
“I’m 50, 60 or 70 and Healthy. Do I Still Need Vaccines?”
Possibly.
Being healthy does not necessarily mean vaccination is no longer useful. Age itself can change susceptibility to certain infections and their complications.
Older adults should review their vaccination history with a healthcare professional, particularly for influenza, pneumococcal disease, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis and shingles. The exact recommendations depend on age, previous vaccination and individual health factors.
Similarly, adults with diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, kidney or liver disease, or weakened immunity may have different vaccination needs.
Make Vaccination Part of Your Preventive Health Check
Adult vaccination should be treated like other preventive health measures, such as blood pressure monitoring, blood tests and age-appropriate screening.
Keep a record of vaccines you have received and review it periodically with your doctor. Recommendations can change, so current Indian guidance should always be considered rather than relying on an old vaccination schedule.
Sikund Diagnostic Centre supports preventive healthcare services in Dehradun. Adults can discuss their vaccination history, individual risk factors and appropriate preventive health measures with a qualified healthcare professional.
