NCLEX · Immunizations and Health Screening

Which adult vaccinations does the CDC recommend?

Correct answer

Annual influenza, Tdap (then Td booster every 10 years), Shingles (50+), Pneumococcal (65+ or risk factors), HPV (through age 26), and others based on age and risk factors

  1. A None for adults
  2. B Annual influenza, Tdap (then Td booster every 10 years), Shingles (50+), Pneumococcal (65+ or risk factors), HPV (through age 26), and others based on age and risk factors
  3. C Only childhood vaccinations
  4. D Only travel vaccinations

Why this is the answer

Standard adult vaccination recommendations (CDC ACIP): (1) Influenza — annually for all adults, especially essential for healthcare workers, elderly, pregnant women, immunocompromised; (2) Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) — at least once for all adults; then Td or Tdap booster every 10 years; Tdap during each pregnancy (27-36 weeks) for pertussis protection of newborn; (3) Pneumococcal — PCV15 or PCV20 followed by PPSV23 for adults 65+ and younger adults with risk factors (diabetes, COPD, heart disease, immunocompromised); (4) Shingles (Zoster) — Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine, 2 doses) for adults 50+; replaces the older Zostavax; (5) HPV — for unvaccinated adults through age 26 (and 27-45 in some circumstances per shared decision-making); (6) COVID-19 — current CDC recommendations; (7) Hepatitis A and B — for adults at risk or seeking protection; HepB now recommended for all adults 19-59; (8) MMR — adults born after 1957 without immunity; (9) Varicella — adults without immunity; (10) Meningococcal — for specific risk groups; (11) Travel vaccines — yellow fever, typhoid, etc. for international travel. Nurses commonly assess vaccination status and provide vaccinations in primary care, occupational health, and public health settings.
Source: NCLEX-RN, Immunizations — Adult