Vaccines have been in the news recently thanks to the growing measles outbreak. It is important to know that immunizations are not just for kids. While parents are concerned that their children’s vaccines are up-to-date, they often do not realize that they need them as well.

The Center for Disease Control has changed their recommendations recently and it is often hard to keep up with the latest information. Here are some vaccines you should discuss with your health care provider if you are over 50. There is no one size fits all plan, so it is critical that you discuss your particular situation with your doctor. Your doctor will customize a plan that will factor in issues such as your health, previous immunizations, occupation, living arrangements and travel destinations:

Influenza vaccine: While researchers are hoping to develop a universal one time flu vaccine, you should consider a yearly flu vaccine in the meantime. As we age our immune system is not as strong, leaving us more susceptible to viruses such as the flu.

The flu is no joke—each year in the United States about 36,000 people die from this. Each year the flu strains differ and you should make sure to get vaccinated early in the season which lasts from September-March. Make sure not to use the nasal spray as it has not been shown to be effective in people over 49. You should also discuss the high-dose flu vaccine recommended for those over 65, but sometimes is recommended for younger people as well. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for all adults.

Td and Tdap: Tdap (tetanus, dipheraia, and pertussis) is a vaccine that everyone should get once, so if you have not had it you should get one. After that you will need a Td (tetanus and diptheria) booster every ten years. Pertussis or whooping cough is on the rise which is a contagious disease and dangerous to young children. So it is especially important if you are around children to help them stay protected by getting the vaccine. Additionally, it is recommended that pregnant women get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy sometime between 27-36 weeks. The CDC recommends that every adult should receive a TDap if they did not have one as an adolescent. Every ten years a booster Td is needed.

Shingles Vaccine: Shingles can be a very painful experience so it is a smart choice to consider getting vaccinated. The great news is that there is a new vaccine called Shingrix that works better than Zostavax. The CDC recommends getting the new vaccine even if you had the older vaccine and even if you already had shingles. Getting two doses of Shingrix spaced two to six months apart, has been shown to be more than 90 percent effective in preventing shingles. Most adults have the chicken pox virus laying dormant from childhood. Shingles or herpes zoster, happens when it reactivates later in life. The CDC recommends this vaccine for all healthy adults over 50.

MMR: Measles have been on the rise in the United States with outbreaks occurring in over 22 states. The disease is highly contagious and can spread easily. While most adults have immunity to measles it is important to discuss with your doctor. If you were born in the United States prior to 1957 you are most likely immune because almost everyone had measles then, which means you would probably have immunity for life. If you had the measles you can only get it once so you would be protected.

If you received the two doses of MMR as a child you are most likely are protected. However, if you were vaccinated between 1963-67, one of the two versions was ineffective, so you may not have protection. The live vaccine was the effective one, so if you are unsure ask your doctor. You can get a blood test to determine your immunity status or decide to get revaccinated. The MMR vaccine is considered safe for most people and getting another shot if you are unsure, is considered low risk. Of course there are groups of people that should not receive this including but not limited to pregnant women, people with tuberculosis, people with allergies to vaccine ingredients, or those with a weakened immune system.

Pneumococcal vaccines: While this vaccine is recommended to protect against pneumococcal disease in adults over 65, those younger may need them as well. Adults with certain chronic health conditions may want to consider this with their health care professionals.

HPV Vaccine: The vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus has been touted as a vaccine that offers protection against certain cancers including cervical and throat. While Gardasil 9 was recently approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults up to the age of 45, it is not recommended for those over 26. While it is safe, it is not seen to offer much protection if given after that age. This vaccine is relatively new and one to keep an eye on. Recommendations may change as new studies are conducted.

Other vaccines are available and should be discussed on an individual basis including Hepatitas A and B, Menengitis, and travel vaccines.

One of the problems we have as adults, is that we do not have our immunization records. While it is sometimes possible to track them down often they can’t be found. Make sure to keep a record going forward, and always keep a handy copy on your smartphone. Print out an adult immunization record from the CDC.  The adult vaccine assessment tool is a good resource that allows you to enter your particular information and obtain the CDC recommendations.  The CDC website also offers details on travel immunizations according to your health and the destination you are visiting.