Your Fall Vaccine Checklist: What Birmingham Adults Should Ask About

Fall has a way of filling the calendar fast. School starts, travel picks up, families gather, and respiratory illness season moves closer. Vaccination can easily become something you plan to handle “later,” until later turns into the middle of an outbreak or a week when you cannot afford to feel sick.

Adults do not all need the same vaccines at the same time. Your age, health conditions, pregnancy status, work, travel, previous doses, and immune system can change what is recommended. That is why the best fall checklist starts with a question, not an assumption: “What am I actually due for?”

Use this guide to begin the conversation with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

First, find your vaccination record

It is difficult to plan the next dose when you do not know what you have already received. Check your patient portal, primary care records, pharmacy profile, personal vaccine card, and any state immunization record available to you.

Bring the information you can find. If your record is incomplete, do not guess. A vaccine provider can help determine the next step based on your age, health history, and available documentation.

Flu vaccine: a yearly fall essential

CDC’s adult immunization schedule recommends influenza vaccination every year. Flu viruses and vaccine formulations change, and protection decreases over time, which is why last year’s dose does not replace this year’s.

The ideal timing can depend on age, pregnancy, travel, and local flu activity. For many adults, September or October is a practical time to get vaccinated before flu activity increases. If you miss that window, vaccination later in the season can still be worthwhile while flu viruses are circulating.

Ask your pharmacist which flu vaccine is appropriate for your age and whether you should schedule it around another vaccine or medical treatment.

RSV vaccine: important , but not annual for most adults

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, can cause serious respiratory illness in older adults and people with certain health conditions.

As of February 2026, CDC recommends one RSV vaccine dose for:

• All adults age 75 and older

• Adults ages 50 through 74 who have an increased risk of severe RSV illness

Risk factors may include chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, certain other medical conditions, or living in a nursing home. CDC notes that the RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine. If you already received a dose, another dose is not recommended at this time.

For eligible adults who have not received it, late summer and early fall are practical times to ask about RSV vaccination.

Shingles vaccine: do not wait for someone else’s story

Shingles is caused by the virus that also causes chickenpox. It can lead to a painful rash and long-lasting nerve pain.

CDC recommends two doses of Shingrix for adults age 50 and older, usually separated by two to six months. It is also recommended for adults age 19 and older who have a weakened immune system because of disease or treatment. A previous case of shingles does not automatically mean you should skip vaccination.

If you received an older shingles vaccine or cannot remember whether you completed the series, bring that information to your pharmacist.

Pneumococcal vaccine: recommendations now begin at age 50

Pneumococcal disease can cause pneumonia and other serious infections. Current CDC guidance recommends a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults age 50 and older who have not previously received one. Adults ages 19 through 49 may also need pneumococcal vaccination if they have certain risk conditions.

The exact vaccine and timing depend on which pneumococcal vaccines you have already received. If you remember getting a “pneumonia shot” years ago but do not know which one, ask your vaccine provider to review your history instead of restarting or assuming the series is complete.

COVID-19 vaccine: check the current recommendation

COVID-19 recommendations can change as new vaccines become available and public health guidance is updated. Your age, immune status, pregnancy, prior doses, and the timing of a recent infection may affect the decision.

Rather than relying on an old social media post or last year’s schedule, ask your pharmacist which current COVID-19 vaccine guidance applies to you. Birmingham Apothecary’s website lists COVID-19 vaccination among its available patient services, but product availability and coverage can change, so call ahead.

Tdap, Td, and other vaccines tied to life stages

Adults should receive a Tdap dose if they have never had one, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. Tdap is also recommended during each pregnancy to help protect newborns from whooping cough.

Depending on your age and circumstances, you may also need to discuss:

• Hepatitis A or hepatitis B

• HPV

• MMR

• Meningococcal vaccination

• Vaccines related to work, school, travel, or an underlying condition

This is why a vaccine review is more useful than asking only for “the fall shots.” Prevention should fit your actual life.

Make the pharmacy visit easier

Before you go:

1. Gather your vaccine records.

2. Bring your insurance card and photo ID.

3. Make a short list of health conditions, allergies, medications, and past vaccine reactions.

4. Ask which vaccines can be given during the same visit and whether follow-up doses are needed.

5. Confirm coverage, availability, and whether you need an appointment.

6. Add any second-dose date to your calendar before you leave.

Birmingham Apothecary offers flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, and other vaccinations, with walk-ins and appointments available. Because inventory, eligibility, and insurance coverage vary, calling first is the easiest way to avoid an unnecessary trip.

Prevention works best before the rush

Vaccination is not about treating every person exactly the same. It is about reviewing your risks, your history, and the people you want to protect, then making an informed decision with a qualified healthcare professional.

This fall, take ten minutes to check your record. One conversation now can help you enter the season feeling prepared instead of rushed.

Call Birmingham Apothecary at 205-251-4248 or visit 1032 20th Street South in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood to ask about available vaccinations. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome.

Vaccine recommendations and availability may change. Your pharmacist or healthcare provider can help determine which vaccines are appropriate for you.