Adult Vaccines in Canada: What You Might Be Missing (Richmond, BC Guide)
Most of us finished our childhood vaccines decades ago and have not thought much about them since. But immunity from some vaccines fades over time, new vaccines have become available for adults, and the risk of serious illness from certain infections rises as we age or live with chronic conditions. For many adults in Richmond and across Metro Vancouver, a quick review of vaccine records may turn up a gap.
This guide walks through the vaccines Canadian adults commonly discuss with their family doctor or pharmacist. It is general information, not a personal recommendation — the right plan depends on your age, health history, pregnancy plans, work and travel.
Why Adults Still Need Vaccines
Vaccines train the immune system to recognise an infection before you meet it. For adults, the goal is usually less about avoiding every cold and more about lowering the chance of severe illness, hospital stays and complications such as pneumonia.
There are a few reasons adult vaccines deserve attention:
- Waning protection. Some vaccines, like tetanus, need periodic boosters to stay effective.
- Changing viruses. Influenza and COVID-19 change over time, so updated vaccines are offered on a seasonal basis.
- Age and health. The immune system tends to respond less strongly with age, and conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, and some medications can raise the risk of serious infection.
- Protecting others. Being vaccinated can reduce the chance of passing an infection to newborns, older parents or people with weakened immune systems in your household.
The Adult Vaccines Worth Reviewing
Seasonal influenza
Canadian public health guidance recommends a yearly flu vaccine for most people aged six months and older. Autumn is the usual time to get it, before flu season picks up. Adults who are older, pregnant or living with chronic conditions are among the groups for whom it is especially encouraged.
COVID-19
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are offered periodically, often alongside the flu campaign in the fall. Recommendations on who should receive a dose, and how often, have shifted over time and tend to focus on older adults and people at higher risk. It is worth checking current BC guidance each season rather than relying on what applied last year.
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles is a painful rash caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus, and some people go on to have nerve pain that lingers for months. Canadian guidance recommends a shingles vaccine for many adults aged 50 and older, and for some younger adults with weakened immune systems. If you had an older type of shingles vaccine years ago, ask whether the current vaccine is suggested for you.
Pneumococcal disease
Pneumococcal bacteria can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections and meningitis. Vaccination is generally recommended for older adults and for younger adults with certain conditions — for example chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Several pneumococcal vaccines exist, and which one fits depends on your age and history.
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
Adults are generally advised to have a tetanus-containing booster about every ten years. At least one adult dose that also includes pertussis (whooping cough) protection is commonly recommended, and a dose during each pregnancy is advised to help protect the newborn. Grandparents and other caregivers of babies may also want to ask about it.
RSV for older adults
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is often thought of as a childhood illness, but it can also cause serious lung infections in older adults. RSV vaccines are now available for some older adults, with guidance focusing on those at higher ages or with chronic medical conditions. Because this area is relatively new, a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist can help you understand whether it applies to you.
Others to ask about
Depending on your history, you may also want to discuss hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella (if you are unsure of your childhood records), HPV for some adults, and travel vaccines before a trip.
Eligibility and Cost in BC
BC offers a number of vaccines through public programs, but eligibility depends on age, medical conditions and the vaccine itself, and it changes over time. Some vaccines are publicly funded for certain groups and paid for privately by others. Rather than assuming, check the current BC immunization schedule through ImmunizeBC or HealthLink BC (online or by calling 8-1-1), or ask a local pharmacist. Many BC pharmacies offer adult vaccines, and your family physician can help you sort out what makes sense for your situation.
How to Check What You Are Missing
A few practical steps can turn good intentions into a clear plan:
- Gather your records. Look for paper records, past clinic notes or immunization records from another province or country. Many newcomers to Canada have records in another language — bring them anyway.
- List your health conditions and medications. These often change which vaccines are recommended and when.
- Note upcoming life events. Pregnancy plans, a new grandchild, a job in healthcare or an overseas trip can all change the picture.
- Book a review. A family physician can look at the whole picture, answer questions about side effects, and coordinate timing with other care.
- Keep your own copy. Each time you are vaccinated, ask for a record and store it somewhere you can find it.
Common side effects such as a sore arm, tiredness or a mild fever usually settle within a day or two. If you have had a serious reaction to a vaccine before, or have a condition that affects your immune system, mention it before your appointment.
Where Vaccines Fit in Ongoing Preventive Care
Vaccines fit naturally into a broader prevention plan that also includes blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks, cancer screening and lifestyle support. That is where continuity with a family physician helps: someone who knows your history can flag a booster that is due or a vaccine that has become relevant as your health changes.
MMC Wellness in Richmond offers family medicine and walk-in care in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and reviewing your immunization history can be part of a visit. For people who want more structured follow-up and reminders, our health management membership adds care coordination on top of MSP-covered care. If you are planning a broader preventive review, a comprehensive health exam is another opportunity to step back and look at your overall plan.
Book a Consultation
If you are not sure which vaccines you have had, or which ones might be worth discussing, bring your records and your questions to a visit. Call us at 604-629-8968 or contact our Richmond clinic to book a consultation or learn more about the membership. A physician can help you think through a prevention plan that fits your life.