August is National Immunization Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to revisit preventive health care—especially for seniors because they’re more likely to experience severe symptoms when sick. Older adults may need boosters for infrequent immunizations as antibodies decrease over time, or stronger doses of vaccines they’ve received in the past. To help you understand which vaccines you or your senior loved one need, talk to a doctor. From flu shots to RSV vaccines, explore the importance of the top recommended vaccines for adults over 65 below.
1. Influenza (Flu Shot)
Annual flu shots are recommended for all ages, but a flu vaccine for older adults is especially important because a bad case of the flu can lead to pneumonia and other complications. It’s best to get vaccinated by the end of October so you’re fully protected before flu season peaks, according to older adult vaccination recommendations from the National Institute on Aging.
Many seniors aren’t adequately protected by the standard adult flu vaccine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a stronger vaccine for adults over 65 or an adjuvanted flu vaccine. Both options can increase a senior’s immune response, and your doctor and pharmacist can recommend which one is best for you.
2. COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines aren’t yet recommended annually, but new vaccines are released as needed to protect against the different strains of the virus. Whether you’ve had a COVID-19 shot in the past or not, the CDC recommends the 2024-2025 COVID-19 booster for all adults.
Older adults are still the most likely age group to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms. Before scheduling a vaccine, consult your doctor or pharmacist about your vaccine history and any times you’ve had COVID-19 in the past. They can help you determine how frequently and if you should get a booster.
3. Pneumococcal (Pneumonia)
The CDC recommends a pneumococcal vaccine for all adults over 50. These vaccines for seniors can help prevent pneumonia as well as other invasive diseases, such as meningitis and infections in the bloodstream.
Seniors typically only need one or two pneumococcal vaccines, depending on which vaccine they receive. Two types of vaccines are currently available, and it’s important to discuss them with a doctor to decide which one will offer the most protection for your unique health needs.
4. Shingles
Anyone who has had chicken pox has the inactive virus in their body, which can reactivate as shingles. Adults over 50 should receive the shingles vaccine, even if they’ve received a chicken pox vaccine or are unsure if they’ve had chicken pox in the past.
In the U.S., Shingrix is the only available shingles vaccine. Seniors who received Zostavax, an earlier version of the vaccine, can be vaccinated again. Shingrix is 90% effective at preventing shingles for people who have never had it and for those who want to prevent a future outbreak.
5. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis/Whooping Cough)
All adults should receive a Tdap vaccine every 10 years. If someone has had a severe or particularly dirty wound, the CDC recommends a booster after 5 years. It’s important for seniors to stay up to date with their Tdap vaccine since it protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis), all of which can lead to respiratory problems and possibly hospitalizations.
Older adults who are expecting a grandchild should consult their doctor to see if they’re due for a Tdap shot. As a precaution, expecting parents may ask you to make sure that your Tdap is up to date, especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time with the baby. If a newborn gets whooping cough, they may be at risk for apnea, convulsions, pneumonia, or brain damage, according to whooping cough complications listed by the CDC.
6. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV typically causes cold-like symptoms in adults, with children experiencing more severe symptoms. However, within the last few years, health professionals have seen an increased risk of severe symptoms in older adults.
Because of this shift, the CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for all adults over 75. Adults between 50 and 74 should speak to their doctor to determine if they need a vaccine. Some risk factors, such as heart or lung disease, increase the risk of severe RSV.
Which Vaccines Do You Need?
Each vaccine for seniors has its own dosing schedule, which can make it difficult to keep track of which vaccines you or your loved one needs. It’s a good idea to review your immunization record with your doctor.
If you’re not sure about which important vaccinations for older adults you’ve had, you can take an antibody serology test, often called a titer test. It measures the antibodies in your blood and can help determine which vaccines you need.
Other factors that you should discuss with your doctor include:
- Any severe side effects you’ve had to a vaccine in the past, such as an allergic reaction
- Travel plans that may require you to vaccinate against diseases that are uncommon in the U.S.
- Any chronic health conditions that may make you a candidate for more frequent vaccines, such as a heart condition
- Your risk factor for other illnesses that may warrant additional vaccines, such as hepatitis B
Getting Vaccinated in Senior Living
Vaccines for seniors can help prevent illness or lessen the symptoms if you or a loved one does get sick. It’s especially an important precaution in senior living communities to help prevent the spread of illness among residents.
In Sunrise communities, vaccination is a resident choice. However, we do follow CDC guidelines and encourage it for residents—unless they have medical reasons, known as contraindications, which may mean they’re not a good candidate for certain vaccinations.
We highly encourage the flu vaccine and have our communities host at least one on-site flu vaccine clinic every year. Sunrise team members, residents, and their families are all welcome to sign up for the on-site vaccine clinic.
If you have any questions about vaccination practices at Sunrise or if you’d like to learn more about how our care teams help residents stay healthy, reach out to a Sunrise community near you. We’re happy to answer your senior care questions.
This blog was expertly reviewed by Jennifer Nycz, Chief Clinical Officer at Sunrise Senior Living, to help ensure accuracy and relevance.
References
[1] National Institute on Aging. National Institutes of Health. (2023, August 24). Vaccinations and older adults.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 5). Flu and people 65 years and older.
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 25). Adjuvanted flu vaccine.
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, June 6). Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 26). Pneumococcal vaccination.
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 26). Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations.
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 19). Shingles vaccination.
[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, February 28). Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine VIS.
[9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 2). Symptoms of whooping cough.
[10] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 8). RSV in adults.
[11] National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. (2025, August 20). Antibody serology tests.