Adult vaccines are not only for children. Health schedules recommend the annual flu vaccine for older adults, people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women [1]. Adults may need a tetanus booster depending on their vaccination record and any wounds, and a pneumococcal vaccine when they reach older age or have conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or the nearest Ministry of Health health centre what is right for you.
What are adult vaccines and why do we need them?
Many people think vaccines end with school, but protection requires follow-up throughout life. A vaccine trains the immune system to recognize germs and defend the body against them [2]. If the body later encounters the germ, it "remembers" it and attacks it [2]. You can read the definition of vaccine in the ClinicsJo glossary.
Gaining immunity through a vaccine is safer than gaining it by catching the disease itself [2]. A vaccine protects not only you but also the people around you, especially those who cannot take certain vaccines, such as people with weakened immune systems and infants [2]. This is called "community immunity."
Vaccines differ in their composition. Some are inactivated, some are made from parts of the germ, and some are live attenuated [2]. For this reason, who can take each type differs, and this may change with pregnancy or weakened immunity.
Adult vaccine schedule by age and risk
Each country publishes its own schedule and updates it from time to time [2]. The following table is an example from the UK's National Health Service (NHS), and it illustrates the general logic: age, health condition, and pregnancy determine what you need [1]. It is not the Jordanian schedule. You can refer to the Jordanian vaccination schedule and ask your doctor.
| Category | Vaccines listed in the NHS schedule |
|---|---|
| Age 65 | Influenza (annually after that), pneumococcal, and shingles (for those who turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023) [1] |
| Ages 70 to 79 | Shingles [1] |
| Age 75 and older | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 [1] |
| Diabetes, chronic heart or lung disease, chronic neurological disease, chronic kidney or liver disease | Pneumococcal and influenza [1] |
| Chronic kidney disease | In addition to the above: hepatitis B [1] |
| Chronic liver disease or haemophilia | Hepatitis A and B [1] |
| Weakened immunity due to illness or treatment | Pneumococcal, influenza, COVID-19, and shingles (for those aged 18 and over) [1] |
| Spleen problems (such as sickle cell anaemia) | Meningococcal (ACWY and B), pneumococcal, and influenza [1] |
| Pregnancy | Influenza in season, pertussis around week 20, and RSV from week 28 [1] |
Do not transfer this table to yourself word for word. Age groups and covered categories may differ in Jordan, and recommendations may change from year to year. The most important thing is to know the questions to ask your doctor.
Do I need the flu vaccine every year?
In the NHS schedule, the flu vaccine is given every year after age 65, to people with the chronic conditions listed above, and to pregnant women during flu season [1]. The practical reason is that seasonal flu can lead to complications in older adults and people with chronic diseases, and that protection is renewed each season. You can find details in the influenza condition page and the influenza vaccine guide.
Where can I get the flu vaccine?
Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nearest Ministry of Health health centre about the vaccine's availability and schedule. You can also browse the influenza vaccine page on ClinicsJo to find doctors and clinics that list this service in their profiles.
An inactivated flu vaccine cannot cause influenza itself. It relies on parts of the virus, not a live virus capable of replicating. You may experience some pain at the injection site or mild tiredness for a short period.
When does an adult need a tetanus booster?
Tetanus is a serious disease caused by bacteria. The vaccine is based on a "toxoid," meaning the germ's toxin after its effect has been neutralized [2]. In the NHS schedule, a Td/IPV booster appears at age 14 [1]. The timing of a booster for an adult depends on their vaccination record and whether they have had a contaminated wound. There is therefore no single answer for everyone.
It is best to bring your vaccination record with you, and to ask your doctor about any deep or contaminated wound, such as one with soil or rust, if you cannot recall your last dose. Detailed information about the vaccine is available on the tetanus toxoid page. To learn more about combined protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, read about Tdap and DTaP vaccines. The page How often should I get a tetanus vaccine? also answers this question.
- If you are not sure whether you completed your childhood vaccinations, ask your doctor about completing the basic series.
- Any large or dirty wound warrants medical review, even if it seems minor.
- Pregnant women may be advised to have the pertussis vaccine in every pregnancy (see the pregnancy section).
Who needs the pneumococcal vaccine?
Pneumococcal bacteria cause pneumonia and other serious diseases. In the NHS schedule, the pneumococcal vaccine is given at age 65 [1]. It is also given to people who have:
- Diabetes.
- Chronic heart or lung disease, such as severe asthma and heart failure.
- Chronic kidney or liver disease.
- Chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease.
- Spleen problems.
- A cochlear implant.
- Weakened immunity [1].
There are different types of this vaccine, and your doctor will determine the type suitable for your age and condition. For more, read pneumococcal pneumonia and visit the pneumococcal vaccine (Synflorix / Prevenar) page. For reassurance about safety, see Is the pneumococcal vaccine safe?.
What about hepatitis, shingles, HPV, and others?
Hepatitis B and A
In the NHS schedule, the hepatitis B vaccine is given to people with chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, or haemophilia, and the hepatitis A vaccine is added for people with chronic liver disease and haemophilia [1]. The hepatitis B vaccine is also given to babies born to mothers with the infection [1]. A doctor may also recommend vaccination based on occupation or exposure risk, and this is an individual decision.
Shingles
In Britain, the shingles vaccine is offered at age 65, to people aged 70 to 79, and to adults aged 18 and over who have severe immune deficiency [1]. As for its availability in Jordan, ask your doctor; do not assume it is available.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
In the NHS schedule, the HPV vaccine is given at age 12 to 13. New university students are advised to make sure they have received it, because it helps prevent genital warts and virus-related cancers such as cervical cancer [1]. If you did not receive it in childhood, ask your doctor whether catch-up vaccination is possible, as a delay does not always mean the opportunity has been lost [1].
Measles, meningococcal disease, and COVID-19
The NHS schedule advises young people heading to university to make sure they have had two doses of MMR, due to outbreaks of mumps and measles on campuses [1]. You can read the MMR vaccine definition and about the importance of measles vaccination. It also recommends meningococcal ACWY vaccine for people with spleen problems and for young people up to their 25th birthday [1]. You can find information about the meningococcal vaccine in the directory. For COVID-19, you can review COVID-19 vaccines.
Which vaccines does a pregnant woman need?
The NHS schedule recommends the following for pregnant women [1]:
- The influenza vaccine during flu season.
- The pertussis vaccine around week 20 of pregnancy.
- The RSV vaccine from week 28.
This is a British recommendation. Timing and availability may differ in Jordan, so ask your obstetrician-gynaecologist or the Ministry of Health's Maternal and Child Health Centre about the schedule approved for you.
If you are planning a pregnancy, ask about your immunity to German measles (rubella), because infection during pregnancy is dangerous. You can read about German measles and pregnancy. Some vaccines are discussed before pregnancy rather than during it, including live attenuated vaccines [2]. Do not take or postpone any vaccine on your own; take this step only after consulting your doctor.
Are adult vaccines safe?
Vaccines undergo extensive safety testing and evaluation before they are approved [2]. Mild side effects may occur after the injection, such as pain, redness at the site, a mild fever, or tiredness for a short period. People who have an allergy to the ingredients of a particular vaccine, or who have weakened immunity, should tell their doctor before the injection, as these cases are reviewed carefully [2].
Before any vaccine, tell the doctor or nurse about the following:
- A previous allergy to a vaccine or medication.
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant.
- Treatments that weaken immunity or chronic diseases.
- Any acute illness with fever on the day of the appointment.
When should I see a doctor or go to the emergency room?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if, after a vaccine, you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or widespread rash with dizziness or fainting. The same applies to chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or confusion during a respiratory illness such as influenza or pneumonia.
See your doctor in the following cases:
- A deep or dirty wound and you cannot recall your last tetanus dose.
- High fever or worrying symptoms that persist for more than two days after a vaccine.
- A missed vaccine appointment, as most missed vaccines can be caught up [1].
- A new chronic diagnosis or the start of a treatment that weakens immunity, as your vaccine needs may change.
How do I find the right doctor or clinic in Jordan?
Start with your regular doctor, family physician, or internist. If you are an older adult, consider a geriatrician if one is available. The Ministry of Health provides health centres and maternal and child health centres in the governorates, where you can ask about available vaccines. The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) regulates medicines and their official prices in Jordan, including biological products.
On ClinicsJo you can browse doctors and clinics by specialty and governorate, read their profiles, and then contact them or book an appointment if the profile allows it. To get started, visit the influenza vaccine or meningococcal vaccine pages.
What to check in a profile
- Specialty, governorate, address, and working hours.
- Whether vaccination services are explicitly mentioned in the profile.
- The available methods of contact or booking.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which vaccines do I need based on my age and conditions?
- Is the vaccine currently available, and what is its official price?
- When is my next dose due, and can more than one vaccine be given at the same visit?
- What should I do if side effects appear?
In short, adult vaccination is a personal decision determined by age, chronic diseases, pregnancy, and lifestyle. Keep your vaccination record, and review with your doctor at least once a year what you may be missing. Do not start or stop any medication on your own.
Frequently asked questions
Do adults need vaccines, or are they only for children?
Adults also need vaccines, because protection may weaken over time, and because certain ages and health conditions increase the risk of complications from some diseases. The need varies by age, chronic conditions, pregnancy, and travel. It is best to review your vaccination record with your doctor to determine what you may be missing.
Is the flu vaccine necessary every year?
Health schedules recommend repeating the flu vaccine annually for older adults, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease, and pregnant women during flu season. Because protection is renewed each season, it is advisable to ask your doctor or health centre every autumn when the vaccine is available.
When should I get a tetanus booster?
The timing depends on your basic vaccination record, when you last received a dose, and the type of wound, if any. If you have a deep or dirty wound and cannot recall your last dose, see a doctor or go to the emergency room the same day. Do not rely on personal judgment; rely on your record and your doctor's assessment.
Who needs the pneumococcal vaccine?
The groups usually recommended for it include older adults, people with diabetes, chronic heart, lung, kidney, and liver disease, chronic neurological disease, and those with spleen problems or weakened immunity. Vaccine types and schedules differ, so your doctor will determine the appropriate type and timing for you.
What vaccines does a pregnant woman need?
In the British schedule, pregnant women are offered the influenza vaccine in its season, the pertussis vaccine around week 20, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine from week 28. Availability and timing may differ in Jordan, so ask your doctor or the Maternal and Child Health Centre, and do not take any vaccine without consulting them.
Can I make up a vaccine I missed?
In most cases, missed vaccines can be caught up through a visit to your doctor or health centre, so the important thing is not to ignore it. Bring your vaccination record if you have one, so the doctor can determine what you are missing and how to schedule the doses. Do not repeat a dose on your own before consulting them.
Sources and references
- NHS vaccinations and when to have them — NHS (UK National Health Service). Accessed: 2026-10-26.
- Vaccines | Immunization | Inoculation — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.
