Vaccinations for adults aged 65 and over

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Vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. As well as protecting you, vaccinations can protect your family, friends and people in the wider community.

The vaccines offered to adults aged 65 and over

Read about the vaccines below, or watch this animation:

Certain groups of people may be eligible for other vaccinations depending on their individual status, e.g., pregnant women, care home residents, carers, people who are immunosuppressed, or have long-term health conditions. Certain groups will also be offered COVID-19 boosters. Check eligibility at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations

The image is divided into four main vaccine categories, each with a description and eligibility criteria:

1. Pneumococcal vaccine
Ages 65 and over (one dose).
Diseases protected agaist: The pneumococcal vacine helps protect against serious illness like pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.

It can also help protect against other illness such as sinusitus and ear infestions

2. Shingles vaccine
Ages 70 to 79 (or people aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system).

New rule from 1 September 2023: You can be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65.

From 1 September 2023, you can be eligibile for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65. If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, you'll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you tunr 70.

Diseases protected against: The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. 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.

3. Flu vaccine
Aged 65 and over (given annually every year after turning 65 during flu season).

Diseases protected against: The Flu vaccine helps to protects against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness.

It's offered every year to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

4. RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus)
You can get a free RSV vaccination if you were aged between 75 to 79 on 31 August 2024. You will remain eligible until 31 August 2026.

Diseases protected against: Protection against: RSV - a common respiratory virus that causes coughs and cold-like symptoms.

RSV can be more serious for older adults and lead to illness such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Vaccinations for specific groups

Some groups of people may be eligible for other vaccinations – such as care home residents, carers, and people who are immunosuppressed or have other certain long-term health conditions. Certain groups of people will be offered seasonal COVID-19 vaccinations during the year.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/

Find out more

Take a look at our seasonal vaccinations page, to learn more about how flu and COVID-19 vaccines work together to keep you safe.

Find out about vaccinations for babies, children and adults, including why they’re important and how to get them, on our main vaccinations page.

Still got questions, want to download resources or need information in another language? Visit our campaign resource centre.

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