Chloe Ramirez
The development of vaccines has come a long way since the mid-1980s, with an expanded vaccine schedule for children and adults. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for vaccines, with the first ones being approved in late 2020 for most adults. Since then, vaccines have been recommended for younger age groups, with the FDA authorizing Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for children as young as 6 months to 4 years old in 2022. Annual updates to immunization schedules provide guidance to healthcare providers, with vaccines like MMR, chickenpox, hepatitis A, and pneumococcus recommended for specific age groups. The complexity of vaccine schedules and combinations has increased, with children receiving multiple shots in a single visit. Factors such as pregnancy, age, and risk factors also influence vaccine recommendations, with tailored approaches for different populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are there different vaccines for different age groups? | Yes |
| Are there different COVID-19 vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for those aged 6 months and older. |
| Are there different meningococcal vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. MenB vaccines are recommended for children aged 10 years and older. |
| Are there different RSV vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. RSV vaccines are available for adults 60 years and older. Infants born to women who received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy should receive nirsevimab. |
| Are there different mpox vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. A 2-dose series, 28 days apart, is recommended for those aged 18 years and older who are at risk of mpox infection. |
| Are there different HPV vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. HPV vaccines are recommended for males and people up to 45 years of age. |
| Are there different influenza vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. Influenza vaccines are recommended for most adults. |
| Are there different chickenpox vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. Chickenpox vaccines are recommended for adults who have not had the disease. |
| Are there different hepatitis A and B vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended for sub-groups of the adult population. Hepatitis B vaccines are recommended for all adults through 59 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated. |
| Are there different shingles vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. The shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is recommended for people 50 years and older. |
| Are there different tetanus vaccines for different age groups? | Yes. Tetanus boosters are recommended for adolescents and adults every 10 years, with the first booster dose around age 11. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccines for children
Vaccines are an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, and this includes vaccinating children to protect them from severe illness, hospitalisation and death. While COVID-19 tends to be milder in children compared with adults, it can still cause serious illness and hospitalisation in younger age groups. Therefore, the CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone six months and older, including children.
In Canada, all children aged six months and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. In Toronto, COVID-19 vaccines are available by appointment for high-risk children aged six months to four years. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that individuals at higher risk of severe infection, including adults over 65, receive an additional vaccine dose in Spring 2025.
For those who have already been vaccinated and have a recent positive infection, a minimum interval of three months may be considered before the next dose, but this is not a requirement. For those who have never been vaccinated, children can wait about two months after testing positive to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The use of COVID-19 vaccines in children has shown that these vaccines are safe. Serious reactions to the vaccine in children are very rare. Vaccination is important, even if a child has already had COVID-19, as while infection alone provides some protection, vaccination after infection can help to boost protection.
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Vaccines for pregnant women
The human body undergoes several changes during pregnancy, and so does the immune system. These changes increase the risk of complications like pneumonia from many respiratory viruses, including Covid-19. Thus, it is essential to get vaccinated before or during pregnancy to protect oneself from infections.
The CDC recommends a 2024-2025 Covid-19 vaccine for most adults aged 18 and older. However, the CDC no longer recommends routine Covid-19 shots for healthy pregnant women. The HPV vaccine is also not recommended for use during pregnancy. Women who are already pregnant should delay the vaccination series until after the pregnancy. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys aged 11 and 12 and can be given to everyone through the age of 26 years if they were not adequately vaccinated when younger.
Some other vaccines that are recommended for adults who have not had the disease include MMR and chickenpox. Vaccines including hepatitis A, pneumococcus, and meningococcus are recommended for sub-groups of the adult population. The first shingles vaccine, Zostavax, was licensed in 2006, and a second shingles vaccine, Shingrix, was licensed in 2017. Two doses of this vaccine, separated by two to six months, are recommended for people aged 50 and above.
Pregnant women should consult with their doctors to understand the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated during pregnancy and make an informed decision.
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Hepatitis B vaccines for adolescents
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. People who get infected may show no symptoms, or they may experience a mild illness that feels like the flu. In some cases, individuals may experience more severe symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice that can last for several weeks. The hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) protects against hepatitis B and is typically given as a series of three shots.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for all infants at birth, unvaccinated children younger than 19 years of age, and adults aged 19-59. For adolescents who missed the vaccine as infants, it is recommended that they receive the vaccine series at any time before they turn 60. The HepB vaccine is important for adolescents as it provides long-term immunity and protects against cirrhosis of the liver, chronic liver disease, and liver cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine be administered within 24 hours of birth, with additional shots given at one month and six months of age. This birth dose is crucial as it ensures protection against hepatitis B for life. If an infant's mother carries the hepatitis B virus, it is recommended that the baby receives the vaccine within 12 hours of birth, along with a dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) for immediate protection.
For adolescents who are unable to receive the vaccine at birth, it is still possible to receive the hepatitis B vaccine later in life. The HepB vaccine is typically given as a two-dose or three-dose series, depending on the brand. The two-dose vaccine, Heplisav-B, is recommended for individuals aged 18 and older and is administered as two doses one month apart. The three-dose vaccines are given on a 0, 1, and 6-month schedule, with alternative schedules available if needed.
In certain situations, accelerated schedules can be implemented to provide higher protection over a shorter period. For instance, the Engerix-B vaccine can be given as a four-dose schedule, with three shots administered within two months and a booster dose at one year. It is important to note that completing the hepatitis B vaccine series is essential for maximum, long-term protection.
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HPV vaccines for males
The HPV vaccine became available in 2006 and was initially recommended for males and females. In 2011, the CDC recommended the routine vaccination of males. The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls aged 11 and 12, with the option to start the vaccination at age 9. The vaccine is given as a series of two or three doses, depending on the age of the initial vaccination. The CDC recommends that all males and females aged 9 to 14 receive two HPV vaccine shots between six and twelve months apart.
The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before any exposure to HPV, which commonly occurs through intimate skin-to-skin contact. The vaccine is recommended for everyone through age 26 if they were not adequately vaccinated when younger. Three doses are recommended for teens and young adults who start the series at ages 15 through 26, and for immunocompromised persons. The recommended three-dose schedule is 0, 1-2, and 6 months.
For adults aged 27 to 45, clinicians can consider discussing HPV vaccination with people who are most likely to benefit. This includes people who are at risk of HPV exposure, such as those with new sexual partners. The HPV vaccine is not recommended for people over the age of 45, as it is likely they have already been exposed to HPV, and the vaccine will not prevent infection.
GARDASIL 9 is a specific type of HPV vaccine that helps protect individuals aged 9 to 45 against diseases caused by 9 types of HPV. This includes cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, as well as anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, and genital warts in both males and females. GARDASIL 9 can be given as two or three shots, depending on the age of the recipient.
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Influenza vaccines for adults
Influenza vaccines have been available since the 1940s and are now recommended for most adults. The types of viruses contained in influenza vaccines are usually those expected to circulate in the following influenza seasons, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The consequences of influenza in adults are mainly time off work.
Inactivated influenza vaccines probably reduce influenza in healthy adults from 2.3% without vaccination to 0.9%. They also probably reduce influenza-like illness (ILI) from 21.5% to 18.1%. ILI produces the same symptoms as influenza (fever, headache, aches, pains, cough, and a runny nose) but rarely causes serious illness or death.
In the United States, influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) was similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age in the 2023-24 season. The MF59-adjuvanted and high-dose quadrivalent inactivated flu vaccines were comparably effective in older adults in any setting in 2022-23. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the flu vaccine at any time during pregnancy for women who are or could become pregnant or postpartum during the respiratory virus season.
Older adults are especially susceptible to the flu and have the highest rates of related complications, hospitalization, and death. While yearly flu vaccines are recommended, older people typically mount weaker immune responses to standard flu vaccines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the CDC and FDA have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for most adults aged 18 and older.
Yes, the first vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) became available for adults 60 years of age and older. Infants born to pregnant women who received the RSV vaccine during a previous pregnancy should receive nirsevimab.
Yes, children 10 years or older may receive a dose of Penbraya (MenACWY–TT/MenB–FHbp) as an alternative to separate administration of MenACWY and MenB when both vaccines would be given on the same clinic day.
Yes, the HPV vaccine became available in 2006 and was initially recommended for males in 2011. In 2018, the license was expanded to include people up to 45 years of age.
Yes, in 2022, recommendations for expanded use of the hepatitis B vaccine included all adults through 59 years of age who had not previously been vaccinated.
