Vaccinations for older people
Vaccines are important all year round.
Healthcare providers offer older adults several vaccinations to keep them safe. Getting vaccines on time gives you the best protection, but if you miss one, contact your GP practice promptly to catch up.
All NHS vaccines are free and have undergone rigorous testing.
At 65 years old
You will receive a flu vaccine every year, along with pneumococcal and shingles vaccines.
Between 70 and 79 years old
You will be offered a repeat shingles vaccine for continued protection.
From 75 to 79 years old.
You will receive the RSV vaccine.
At 75 years and older
You will normally get a COVID vaccine in spring and winter. Check our winter vaccine pages for more details (pages coming soon).
The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It’s offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.
The NHS will let you know in autumn or early winter when you can get your flu vaccine.
Where can you get the flu vaccine?
If you’re eligible for an NHS flu vaccine, you will be able to get your vaccine from your GP surgery or a pharmacy that offers it.
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through their maternity service, care home, or their employer if they are a frontline health or social care worker.
Can you have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.
It’s not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it’s needed.
Read more NHS information about the flu vaccination.
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.
The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illnesses like:
- meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord)
- sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection)
- pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)
It can also help protect against other illnesses such as sinusitis and ear infections.
Where can you get the pneumococcal vaccine?
Your GP surgery will usually contact you if you are eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. This will usually be by letter, text, phone call or email.
Can you get the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as others?
You can get the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.
The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It’s available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.
Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.
The shingles vaccine helps:
- reduce your chances of getting shingles
- reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles
You can get shingles more than once, so it’s important to get vaccinated even if you’ve had shingles before.
Where can you get the shingles vaccine?
Your GP surgery will usually contact you when you become eligible for the shingles vaccine. This will usually be by letter, text message, phone or email.
Sometimes you might be offered the vaccine during a GP appointment you’re having for another reason.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. It usually gets better by itself, but it can be particularly dangerous for older people.
It can cause pneumonia and flare-ups of existing lung diseases and other long-term conditions.
You are offered the RSV vaccination when you are most at risk of becoming seriously unwell. A single dose is expected to give good protection for a few years.
Unlike flu or Covid, the RSV vaccination is available year-round. Although RSV is more common during winter, it is better to get protected as soon as you’re invited.
It’s not too late to ask your GP practice if you think you’ve missed it.
The RSV vaccination has been available in England since September 2024. It was previously available in other countries.
