Winter vaccinations for older people
Keep protected with winter vaccinations for older people.
Winter viruses can be very dangerous, even life threatening for older people. It’s important you have all the vaccinations you are eligible for to keep yourself safe.
All NHS vaccines are free and have been rigorously tested.
What vaccinations can I get?
- Flu – age 65 plus. Available from early October.
- Covid – age 75 plus. Available from early October.
- RSV – age 75 to 79, or turned 80 after 1 September 2024. Available year-round but make sure you get protected as soon as possible ahead of winter.
More about winter vaccinations for older people
Flu can be very dangerous, even life threatening for some people.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective. Older people are at risk of getting seriously ill from flu. That’s why you’re recommended to have the flu vacciantion every year to help protect yourself.
The viruses that cause flu change each year. This means flu (and the vaccine) may be different from last year.
Flu is very infectious and spreads easily.
Children are “super spreaders” which means you could catch flu from young grandchildren. Young children, anyone who is pregnant or people with health conditions can also become unwell if they catch it from you.
How do I get the flu vacciantion?
- You are offered the flu vaccination once every year
- Ask your GP practice
- Use the find a pharmacy service to find a pharmacy (chemist) that offers free flu vaccination.
Winter viruses can be very dangerous, even life threatening if you are older.
Help keep yourself safe by having all the vaccinations you are eligible for
Protection provided by some vaccinations decreases over time so you should have the flu and Covid vaccinations every year.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vacciantion is available all year round for people aged 75 -79, but it is important to get vaccinated before winter when the virus starts to spread.
How do I get the flu vaccination?
- You are offered the flu vaccination once every year
- Ask your GP practice
- Use the find a pharmacy service to find a pharmacy (chemist) that offers free flu vaccination.
How do I get the Covid vacciantion?
- You are offered a Covid vaccination twice a year
- Find a walk-in vaccination site online or call 0161 947 0770/0800 092 4020
- Call 119 free of charge to find sites that are offering the Covid-19 vaccination. You can speak to a translator if you need to
- A BSL service is available
How do I get the RSV vacciantion?
- You need one dose of the RSV vaccination
- Your GP practice may contact you. This may be by letter, text, phone call or email.
- You do not need to wait to be contacted before booking your vaccination.
- It’s not too late to ask your GP practice if you think you’ve missed it.
Vaccine FAQs
Yes, vaccines are safe.
All vaccines are thoroughly tested to meet high safety standards.
It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.
Yes. Some viruses change and protection fades over time, so it is important to top up your protection. You will need to have the flu vaccination every year, some vaccinations like COVID -19 are offered more regularly.
You may experience mild side effects after your vaccination. This is because vaccines work by triggering a response in a person’s immune system.
Most side effects are very mild and only last a short time. If you are worried about your side effects then contact your GP practice.
Vaccines help to build up your immunity to the virus, so your body will fight it off more easily. While the vaccine may not stop you from getting the virus, your symptoms are likely to be milder and you are less likely to get seriously ill if you have been vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated is quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes.
Vaccines do not interfere with most prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Talk to your GP practice if you have specific questions about your medical care.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) updated its advice for the autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme. This autumn the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to those who are the highest risk of serious illness. Those eligible are:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- people aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system
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.
Vaccinations are available year-round
Find out more about the other vaccinations that are available for older people.
