Every year thousands of adults become extremely ill and even hospitalized due to vaccine-preventable diseases. In severe cases, death can result.
Vaccines have significantly decreased many infectious diseases that once routinely resulted in illness, severe side effects and death in infants, children and adults. However, the bacteria and viruses that cause theses disease are still present and can affect you without vaccination.
Even if a person was vaccinated as a child, protection from certain vaccines decrease after time. There are also certain careers, lifestyles, travel destinations and health conditions that can increase the risk of becoming infected with particular infectious diseases.
Most adults should receive, but not limited too:
- Tdap or Td vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- COVID vaccine
For further information, visit the CDC adult vaccination page.
If there are concerns regarding the cost of vaccines, there are providers throughout Nebraska that offer vaccines to adults at a free or reduced cost for those individuals that qualify. Contact the Nebraska Immunization Program for more information.
Free updated COVID-19 vaccines are available to most adults living in the U.S. through their private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaide plans. However, there are 25-30 million adults without health insurance and additional adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. The CDC's Bridge Access Program offers COVID-19 vaccine for these adults.
CDC's Bridge Access Program temporarily provides COVID-19 vaccines to eligible adults for free or reduced cost. This program will end December 31, 2024.
Healthcare providers interested in becoming Bridge Access providers should contact the Nebraska Immunization Program.