Vaccinations for older adults

The following vaccines are available for older adults:

Flu vaccine

Available for anyone aged 65 and over (available from October each year). You can have the vaccination at your GP suregry or at a pharmacy. Book your appointment online.

COVID-19 vaccine

Available in spring and autumn each year to help protect against COVID-19, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness for some people. Spring vaccinations will be available from 13 April – 30 June 2026) from most GP practices and pharmacies. Check eligibility and book your appointment.

RSV vaccine

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. In some people (especially babies and older adults) RSV can cause complications incuding pneumonia (a lung infection) and bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies).

You are eligible for the RSV vaccine if you are aged 75 and over, or live in a care home for older adults. The RSV vaccine is also offered to pregnant women to protect them and their baby.

Pneumococcal vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis. It’s recommended for people at higher risk of these illnesses, such as babies and adults aged 65 and over.

Your GP surgery will usually contact you if you or your child are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. This will usually be by letter, text, phone call or email.

Shingles vaccine

The shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for some older adults and people with a severely weakened immune system. Shingles causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.

You are eligible for the shigles vaccine if you turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023, or if you are aged 70 to 79 years old.

Speak to your GP surgery if:

• you think you have missed any vaccinations
• you have a vaccination appointment – but you’ve missed it or cannot attend

Your GP surgery can book or rearrange an appointment. It’s best to have vaccines on time, but you can still catch up on most vaccines if you miss them.