Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS.gov
  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations
  • About Us
  • Featured Priorities
  • National Vaccine Advisory Committee
  • Vaccines National Strategic Plan

Breadcrumb

  1. HHS
  2. Vaccines and Immunizations
  3. Featured Priorities
  4. Featured Priority: Adult Immunization
  • Featured Priorities
    • Catch-Up Vaccination
    • Adult Immunization
    • HPV Vaccination
    • Vaccine Confidence
    • Vaccine Innovation
    • Vaccine Safety

Featured Priority: Adult Immunization

Adult vaccination rates remain low in the United States. This leaves adults vulnerable to the heavy toll vaccine-preventable diseases take on health and productivity. We work with partners so more adults can get the vaccines recommended for them.

Making Adult Immunization Routine

To reinforce immunization as a routine part of health care, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) updated the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice in 2013. These standards encourage providers to:

  • Assess adults’ immunization needs at every clinical encounter
  • Strongly recommend necessary vaccines
  • Administer recommended vaccines or refer patients to the appropriate provider
  • Document the vaccines patients receive in a state or local vaccine registry

National Adult Immunization and Influenza Summit

OIDP co-chairs the National Adult Immunization and Influenza Summit in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). Key summit goals include:

  • Expanding access to vaccines for adults
  • Reducing health disparities in adult immunization
  • Developing strategies for educating providers and patients
  • Establishing standard ways to measure progress toward adult immunization goals

Related Resources

Explore these additional resources related to adult immunization:

  • The Vaccines National Strategic Plan 2021–2025 (Vaccine Plan) builds on the 2010 National Vaccine Plan, two mid-course reviews of the 2010 Plan, and the 2016 National Adult Immunization Plan to provide a roadmap to vaccination across the lifespan.
  • Overcoming Barriers and Identifying Opportunities for Developing Maternal Immunizations describes NVAC’s recommendations to promote maternal vaccination
  • Update on the NVAC Standards for Adult Immunization Practice has information about important changes in NVAC’s recommendations for adult vaccination
  • CDC’s Surveillance of Vaccination Coverage Among Adult Populations has information about adult vaccination rates
Content created by Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP)
Content last reviewed August 11, 2021
Back to top
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Viewers & Players
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​