Prevention & screening
Preventive care and vaccines through adulthood
Vaccines and check-ups are not just for children. A short list keeps working through adult life — including boosters, flu and COVID shots, and shingles and pneumococcal vaccines later on.
5 min read · Updated
Preventive care in adulthood is a manageable list. Most of it is free in Ontario and can be done at a pharmacy, a clinic or a public-health unit.
Vaccines that continue into adult life
- Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap): a booster every 10 years, and once in each pregnancy.
- Influenza: every autumn.
- COVID-19: as recommended by public-health guidance for your age and health.
- Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella: make sure you are up to date if you were not fully vaccinated as a child.
- HPV: recommended into the mid-twenties and sometimes beyond; ask if you missed it.
- Shingles (herpes zoster): generally recommended from age 50.
- Pneumococcal: recommended from age 65, and earlier with certain conditions.
If you have a chronic condition, are pregnant, or plan to travel, ask about additional vaccines.
Other preventive checks
- Blood pressure at least every couple of years, more often if borderline.
- Cholesterol and diabetes screening from around age 40, or earlier with risk factors.
- Cancer screening as offered for your age (see our Ontario screening article).
- Eye exams — every 1–2 years for many adults, and promptly for any change in vision.
- Dental check-ups, usually every 6–12 months.
Keep a record
Keep your own list of vaccine dates and test results. It saves repeat tests, catches what is overdue, and is invaluable if you change providers or move.
These articles summarise public health guidance and are not a substitute for care from a regulated health professional who knows your situation. If this is an emergency, call 911. For a mental-health crisis, call or text 9-8-8. See our Crisis resources.