Vaccine Information for Adults

It can be hard to keep track of which vaccines are recommended for adults. There are messages from different organizations and individuals circulating on social media, which can make it difficult to recognize correct information and misinformation.

Recognizing Reputable Sources of Information

Websites that end in .gov are a great place to start. These are websites run by governmental agencies. Examples include www.cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and www.health.pa.gov (Pennsylvania Department of Health). These organizations share science-based information based on peer-reviewed research. One of the criticisms people sometimes have when reading information from these sources is that the information can change over time. The reason for this is that as science advances, new discoveries are made, and our understanding of a topic is expanded. This leads to changing recommendations and guidance.

Another group of websites, which end in .edu, are from colleges and universities, such as www.psu.edu (Penn State). While this information can usually be trusted, care should be taken to verify that the author is credible. Student organizations and personal blogs associated with university employees may have .edu websites.

Websites that end in .org are often thought to be reputable. However, there are no restrictions that organizations need to meet to register a .org domain. Users need to practice caution and distinguish between facts and misinformation from these sites. The same is true for .com websites. Washington State University Extension (2023) provides tips for evaluating articles, posts, and videos:

1. Consider the Source
   Think about the authors' motives and whether they check the facts. Do other reputable organizations say this source is credible? Does the source have your best interests in mind, or is the article you are reading designed to get clicks or views?
2. Examine the Content
   Have other scientists drawn similar conclusions? Does the author cite their sources? Is the information out of date? Check across multiple sources for consistency.
3. Check Your Emotions
   How does the main message of an article make you feel? Misinformation can trigger emotions like anger and fear. Stop and think before sharing or believing an upsetting message. Sometimes, the purpose of an article is to become sensationalized so that it gets shared and, therefore, gets more views.
4. Ask Trusted Experts
   Work with and ask trusted experts, such as your primary care practitioner, about questions you have about your health.

Reputable Sources of Information on Vaccines for Adults

The Pennsylvania Department of Health maintains a website, Adult Immunizations (n.d.), that collects and links the latest vaccine information and resources, including an adult immunization guide that factors in age, health conditions, and other factors. You can also reference the CDC’s Adult Immunization Schedule (2024), which is based on age. 

The Extension Foundation, in cooperation with the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, through an Interagency Agreement with the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is funding the Cooperative Extension System to address health disparities among rural and other underserved communities. This initiative is called the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching & Engagement (EXCITE).

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, June 27). Adult immunization schedule by age. Retrieved July 3, 2024.

Pennsylvania Department of Health. (n.d) Adult Immunizations. Retrieved July 3, 2024.

Washington State University Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement Project Team. (2023). Getting to the heart and mind of the matter: A toolkit to build confidence as a trusted messenger of health information (1st ed). Kansas City: Extension Foundation.