Adult Vaccination Schedule Calculator: Age and Risk Factors

Use the Adult Vaccination Schedule Calculator

Answer a few questions about age and risk to generate a clean, printable adult vaccination plan you can review with a clinician or pharmacist.

How to Use Adult Vaccination Schedule Calculator: Age and Risk Factors

1. Step 1: Enter your age

   Provide your age in years (19 or older). The calculator uses age for shingles, pneumococcal, and other cutoffs.

2. Step 2: Select risks

   Toggle pregnancy, chronic conditions, smoking, travel, or work settings that may change recommendations.

3. Step 3: Add history (optional)

   If you know past doses (e.g., Tdap, HepB, shingles), open the history section and select your status.

4. Step 4: Generate your plan

   Tap Generate plan to get a labeled list of vaccines: Due now, Consider, or Up to date.

5. Step 5: Save or print

   Use Print plan to bring your list to a pharmacy or appointment.

Key Features

• Age and risk factor assessment
• Pregnancy and occupation adjustments
• Pneumococcal and shingles logic
• Travel vaccination considerations
• Printable personalized vaccination plan

Understanding Results

Adult Vaccination Schedule Calculator: Logic behind your plan

This calculator maps your inputs to the CDC adult immunization schedule. Instead of a math formula, it follows decision rules: core vaccines for all adults (influenza, current COVID‑19, and Tdap boosters), age‑based additions (shingles at ≥50; pneumococcal at ≥65), and risk‑based recommendations (for immunocompromise, diabetes, chronic heart/lung disease, asplenia, dialysis, smoking, pregnancy, dorm/military living, travel, and healthcare work).

How to read the labels

Each vaccine is tagged as Due now (typical next step), Consider (shared decision‑making or risk‑dependent), Up to date (based on your answers), or Not applicable (generally not indicated now). Timing notes appear under each item (for example, shingles 2 doses 2–6 months apart, or Tdap every 10 years). If you provided history, that label adjusts accordingly.

Assumptions & limitations

Recommendations can change with prior doses, product types, and clinical situations that are not captured here. Live vaccines (like MMR and varicella) are not given during pregnancy. Some conditions require different spacing or extra boosters. Use this plan as a conversation starter and confirm details with your clinician or pharmacist.

Complete Guide: Adult Vaccination Schedule Calculator: Age and Risk Factors

Use the adult vaccination schedule calculator to see age‑ and risk‑based recommendations. Review boosters, travel needs, and timing with a printable plan.

Our adult vaccination schedule calculator: age and risk factors helps you turn CDC guidance into a short, practical plan. Enter your age, pregnancy status, and any risk factors you may have. If you know your vaccine history, expand the history section to refine your results. You will get a mobile‑friendly list of vaccines that are due now, up‑to‑date, or worth discussing with your clinician.

Why adult vaccines matter

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and time away from work or family. While many people associate vaccines with childhood, immunity can fade and new risks can emerge in adulthood. The CDC adult immunization schedule groups recommendations into three buckets: vaccines for all adults, age‑based vaccines, and vaccines for people with certain risks. Our tool mirrors that structure so your plan is easy to understand and act on.

At a minimum, most adults should stay current on seasonal influenza, COVID‑19, and Tdap boosters. Depending on your age and health, you may also need shingles or pneumococcal vaccination, and if you never completed the series, hepatitis B. If you were never immunized for MMR or varicella, those can be critical catch‑up vaccines—especially before travel or work in healthcare.

If you’re planning international travel, your plan may include additional protection. For a deeper pre‑travel review, try our Travel Vaccine Calculator. Parents or caregivers can review schedules for children with the Child Immunization Schedule Calculator.

How the adult schedule is determined

U.S. recommendations are made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and published by the CDC. The schedule weighs disease risk, vaccine effectiveness, severity of outcomes, and community benefits. It also considers practical issues like series timing and whether a vaccine is safe during pregnancy. You can view the current adult schedule on the CDC website (authoritative, non‑commercial) or discuss it with your clinician.

Our calculator implements a straightforward version of this logic so you can see what typically applies in common situations. For example, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for all adults at age 65 and for younger adults with certain health conditions or smoking history. Similarly, shingles vaccination begins at age 50. Universal hepatitis B vaccination covers ages 19–59, while age 60+ is based on risk and shared decision‑making.

If you are missing records or are unsure about past doses, the safest approach is often to vaccinate. When in doubt, our Catch‑Up Immunization Calculator can help you explore common paths for getting back on track.

Recommendations by age

While individual risk factors matter, age alone drives several adult recommendations.

Age 19–26: Stay current on annual influenza, the latest COVID‑19 formulation, and Tdap (1 dose if never received, then Td/Tdap every 10 years). If you did not complete HPV, finish the series. Consider MMR and varicella if no evidence of immunity, especially before travel or healthcare work. Hepatitis B is recommended for all adults through age 59—so if you haven’t completed it yet, this is a good time.

Age 27–49: Continue influenza, COVID‑19, and Td/Tdap boosters. HPV may still be appropriate through 45 using shared decision‑making. If chronic conditions exist or you smoke, pneumococcal vaccination can be recommended before 65. Pregnancy introduces specific timing for Tdap (27–36 weeks), and influenza is recommended during pregnancy. Some may also be eligible for RSV vaccination based on age or pregnancy timing.

Age 50–59: Add shingles (RZV/Shingrix)—a two‑dose series separated by 2–6 months. If you haven’t completed hepatitis B, it’s still recommended for this age group. Pneumococcal vaccination may be indicated depending on medical conditions or smoking history. Keep annual influenza and up‑to‑date COVID‑19.

Age 60+: Continue core vaccines. Pneumococcal becomes routine by age 65 (or earlier with risk). RSV vaccination is available for adults 60+ after shared decision‑making—your clinician can help weigh timing and benefits. If you didn’t complete hepatitis B earlier, discuss whether it makes sense now based on your risks and preferences.

Pregnancy‑specific guidance

Two vaccines are front‑and‑center in pregnancy: Tdap and influenza. Tdap should be given at 27–36 weeks during each pregnancy to protect the newborn from pertussis in the first months of life. Influenza vaccination protects both the pregnant person and the baby and is recommended if the pregnancy overlaps with flu season.

RSV vaccination may be considered when pregnant during an RSV season—timing matters, so a quick conversation with your prenatal clinician is helpful. Live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are not given during pregnancy but can be administered postpartum if needed.

To estimate the best timing for pregnancy‑related doses, you may find our Pregnancy Week Calculator helpful.

Chronic conditions and other risks

Certain conditions increase the risk of severe disease or invasive infections. Adults with immunocompromise, asplenia, diabetes, chronic lung or heart disease, chronic liver disease, or those on dialysis may need vaccines earlier and sometimes with additional doses or boosters. Smoking is also an important risk for pneumococcal disease. Occupations (like healthcare) and living situations (e.g., college dorms or military barracks) can change the calculus for MMR or meningococcal vaccination.

If you’re unsure how your conditions map to the schedule, start with this tool, then bring the printable plan to your clinician. You can also explore related risk tools on our site, such as the general Vaccination Schedule Calculator and the Age Calculator if you need a quick age confirmation for eligibility.

Pneumococcal: PCV20 vs PCV15 + PPSV23

Adults who qualify for pneumococcal vaccination generally have two options: a single dose of PCV20, or PCV15 followed by PPSV23 given at least one year later. Both strategies provide broad coverage. PCV20 simplifies timing by avoiding a second appointment, while PCV15+PPSV23 may be preferred for specific clinical reasons. For many people—especially those vaccinated outside of childhood—either approach is acceptable.

If you’ve already received older products, your clinician can advise whether additional doses are needed. Our calculator labels pneumococcal vaccination as “Due now,” “Consider,” or “Up to date” based on your answers.

Catch‑up planning and missing records

Many adults are unsure about past doses. In that case, clinicians often either check serologic immunity (for select vaccines) or proceed with vaccination. Most vaccines can be given safely even if you may have received a prior dose years ago. If your records are incomplete, the priority is to protect you now rather than delay care.

Our Catch‑Up Immunization Calculator walks through common series and typical intervals so you can see what a full catch‑up plan looks like. If you are mapping out vaccines for your whole family, also check the general schedule calculator for a bird’s‑eye view.

Travel and occupation

International travel can change recommendations. Proof of MMR immunity is particularly important for travelers, and hepatitis A is widely recommended for many destinations. Certain regions have meningococcal requirements, and additional vaccines (outside the routine U.S. schedule) may be advised based on itinerary and duration. For a pre‑travel checklist, open our Travel Vaccine Calculator after you’ve reviewed your adult plan here.

In healthcare and laboratory settings, proof of immunity to MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B is commonly required. The specifics vary by employer and role. Our tool flags these situations so you can prepare documentation ahead of time.

Using the calculator well

Start by entering your age, then toggle any risk factors that apply. If you’re pregnant, enable that option to activate pregnancy‑specific timing (e.g., Tdap in weeks 27–36). Expand the history section only if you’re confident about past doses—otherwise, leave items as “Unsure” and plan to discuss details with your clinician. Tap “Generate plan” and you’ll see a concise list labeled “Due now,” “Consider,” or “Up to date.” When you’re ready, use the “Print plan” button to take a copy to your appointment.

If you want to compare adult and pediatric schedules in one place for household planning, the Vaccination Schedule Calculator provides a combined view, and the child calculator lets you drill down for kids under 19.

Safety, access, and cost

Vaccines used in the United States are extensively monitored for safety and effectiveness. Mild reactions—such as soreness or low‑grade fever—are common and short‑lived. Serious reactions are rare, and strong post‑marketing surveillance looks for unusual patterns. If you have a history of severe allergies or prior reactions, tell your clinician so they can plan appropriately.

Coverage depends on your insurance and location, but many adult vaccines are covered with no out‑of‑pocket cost in primary care or pharmacies. If you’re paying cash, pharmacies often list transparent prices online. Local health departments sometimes offer low‑ or no‑cost programs for vaccines recommended by public health agencies.

For additional prevention planning (beyond vaccines), you can explore tools like the Heart Disease Risk Calculator or general wellness trackers. Start with good sleep, nutrition, and activity; then use vaccination to lock in protection against preventable infections.

References: CDC Adult Immunization Schedule; World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine guidance. External sources are limited to official, non‑commercial sites for clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions