Adults

Vaccination is not just for children. It is important to keep up to date with booster shots as an adult, as the protection provided by certain vaccines does not last a lifetime. Some vaccinations are also recommended for adults in specific situations, particularly if they are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, have a chronic illness, or have a vulnerable person in their household.

General recommendations

Every 10 years: vaccinations against polio, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough

For adults, it is important to remember to get boosters every 10 years of the combined vaccine (d, T, aP, IPV) that protects against:

• diphtheria,
• tetanus,
• whooping cough,
• polio.

Adults born after 1980: Measles - Mumps - Rubella

Given the resurgence of measles, all adults born after 1980 who have not received two doses of the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are advised to have a booster vaccination. Adults who have not been vaccinated and have not had measles need two injections, four weeks apart.