The Adulting Handbook, Part 2: Adult Vaccines

Quick disclaimer: not a doctor, not in the health industry (software developer here 👋). Nothing here replaces a conversation with your physician. This is a well-researched guide from someone who learned most of this the hard way.

Vaccines. Most of us last thought seriously about this during the school-required immunization shots in high school, and then kind of… never again. The reality is that some vaccine protection wears off, there are vaccines we missed entirely, and there are others that simply didn’t exist when we were kids. Adult vaccination is a real, important, and wildly underutilized thing.

Here’s the full picture.

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TL;DR, Quick Reference Table

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Flu Vaccine - Every Single Year

The schedule is simple: once a year, every year. The influenza virus mutates, which is why last year’s vaccine doesn’t fully protect you this year, they reformulate it annually based on the strains expected to circulate.

If you’re in the Philippines, March to April is the ideal window, right before the rainy season peaks and flu cases surge.

One thing I want to share: the first time I got a flu shot, I developed a fever afterward and panicked a little. It turns out this is completely normal. A fever is your immune system mounting a response. It means your body took the vaccine seriously and started building protection. My second and subsequent shots? No reaction at all. Both responses are normal.

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HPV Vaccine - Please Don’t Skip This One

This is the one I feel most strongly about.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Most people clear it on their own, but certain strains can lead to cervical cancer, throat cancer, and other HPV-related cancers. The vaccine protects against the strains most responsible for those outcomes.

I have an aunt who was diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer. She survived — and I am so grateful for that. But here’s the thing: cervical cancer caused by HPV is preventable. That’s not a small thing. That’s a cancer that doesn’t have to happen.

The vaccine is most effective when given before any exposure, which is why it’s recommended starting as young as age 9 and ideally through your mid-20s. But it still provides meaningful protection up to age 45. So if you haven’t gotten it, it’s not too late. Talk to your doctor.

One more thing: this isn’t just personal protection. When enough people are vaccinated, HPV can be eliminated from a population entirely. Australia has reported near-zero cervical cancer cases in vaccinated generations. That’s the kind of collective win that starts with individual action. Getting the HPV vaccine isn’t just for you. It’s for the next generation too.

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Hepatitis A & B - Check Your Records

Honest admission: I don’t know exactly which vaccines I got as a child. My records aren’t complete, and I think a lot of Filipinos are in the same boat. Vaccine cards get lost, clinics close, memories get fuzzy.

If you’re unsure whether you were vaccinated for Hepatitis B (which is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in the Philippines), your doctor can order a simple blood test to check your antibody levels and determine if your protection is still intact. When in doubt, bring it up at your next checkup. Your doctor will advise whether you need a new series, a booster, or nothing at all.

Hepatitis B: 3-dose series. Transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, relevant beyond just sexual contact. Medical procedures, tattoos, piercings, and shared personal care items all carry risk.

Hepatitis A: 2-dose series. Transmitted through contaminated food and water, especially relevant when traveling. If you weren’t vaccinated as a child, it’s worth getting.

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Tdap / Td - Yes, Tetanus Has a Booster

This one surprises people. Tetanus protection doesn’t last forever. The Tdap shot (which also covers pertussis/whooping cough and diphtheria) should be given once as an adult, and then a Td booster every 10 years after that.

If you’ve ever gotten a deep cut and had a clinic ask “when was your last tetanus shot?”, that’s exactly why. Track your last dose and set a reminder a decade out.

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The Rest of the List

Varicella (Chickenpox) If you never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated, you need two doses. If you’ve had chickenpox, you’re generally immune, though the virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate as shingles later in life.

Shingles (Shingrix) For adults 50 and older. Two doses, 2–6 months apart. If you’ve had chickenpox, this one is in your future eventually.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) If you were born after 1957 and are unsure about your vaccination history, check with your doctor. Measles outbreaks still happen, and immunity matters.

Pneumococcal Routinely recommended at 65+, but earlier if you’re immunocompromised, have chronic lung or heart disease, or are a smoker. There are two types (PCV and PPSV) and your doctor will advise which applies to you.

Meningococcal Recommended if you’re traveling to high-risk areas, heading to a college dorm setting, or are immunocompromised. Not a standard adult vaccine unless you fall into these categories.

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Keeping Track: Build Your Health Profile

One of the most practical things you can do for your long-term health is to start documenting everything. Your vaccines, your lab results, your diagnoses, your medications, all of it in one place. Most of us have scattered records across different clinics and hospitals, some on paper, some in apps, some in a folder we haven’t opened in years.

When in doubt about your vaccine history, your doctor can help figure out what to re-test for and what boosters make sense. And going forward, keep a record. There are apps for this, and there may be more purpose-built tools coming 👀. But even a simple notes app or a spreadsheet is a solid starting point. Know your health history. It will matter more than you think.

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Next up: Part 3: Head-to-Toe Wellness Routines. Skincare, haircare, dental, sleep, the daily habits that add up to a lot.