Information about vaccinations for adults
Vaccines help stop the spread of disease. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to help protect yourself from serious illness. It also helps protect your family, friends and community. Vaccinations save millions of lives each year.
You may need different vaccinations at different times in your life. This depends on your age, health, or events such as pregnancy or travel.
- If you are pregnant, you can visit our vaccinations in pregnancy webpage for more information.
- Planning to travel? Visit our travel vaccinations webpage for more information.
- If you need vaccinations because of your job, speak to your employer for advice.
Adults more at risk from infections
Some adults are more likely to get seriously ill from infections. This includes:
- older adults, and
- people with certain long-term health conditions.
As we get older, our immune system does not work as well as it used to. Some health conditions can also weaken the immune system. Vaccination can reduce your risk of illness, long-term health problems and death.
Vaccines help protect you when your body may not be able to fight off the illness easily.
Click the links in the tables below to learn more about the routine vaccines available for adults.
| Vaccine | Who is eligible | Disease it helps protect against |
|---|---|---|
| Shingles |
• People turning 65 years of age • People aged 70 to 79 • People aged 18 and over with a very weak immune system |
Shingles |
| Pneumococcal disease |
• People aged 65 and over • Adults at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from pneumococcal disease • People experiencing homelessness (from 1 October 2026) |
Meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord) Sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection) Pneumonia (an infection in the lungs) |
| Respiratory syncytial virus |
• People aged 75 and over • People who live in a care home for older adults • Pregnant women to protect their babies • Individuals with chronic respiratory disease • Individuals with immunosuppression due to disease or treatment |
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which can lead to severe infections such as pneumonia |
Seasonal vaccines for adults
| Vaccine | Who is eligible | Disease it helps protect against |
|---|---|---|
|
Flu |
• People aged 65 years or older • People with a long-term health condition • Other people may also be eligible, see the flu eligibility webpage. |
Flu – a virus which is spread by coughs and sneezes. |
| COVID-19 |
• People aged 75 or older • People with a weakened immune system |
COVID-19 – a very infectious respiratory disease caused by a virus. |
Other vaccinations for adults
Some people may need other vaccines or extra doses to help protect them. This includes people with certain health conditions. It also includes people who are more likely to be exposed to infections.
If this applies to you, contact your GP surgery, sexual health clinic or specialist healthcare team. They can give you advice and support based on your needs.
The table below shows examples of other vaccines you may need and where you can get them. This is not a complete list. You may need other vaccines depending on your job, travel or personal circumstances.
| Vaccine | Who is eligible | Disease it helps protect against | Where you can get the vaccine |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPV | Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) aged 45 or younger |
• Cervical cancer • Some head and neck and ano-genital cancers, and • Genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) |
Sexual health clinic |
| Mpox | People at increased risk | Mpox (and smallpox) | Sexual health clinic |
| Men B for gonorrhoea | People at increased risk | Meningitis B (an infection in the brain and spinal cord) and gonorrhoea | Sexual health clinic |
| Hepatitis B | People at increased risk | Hepatitis B | GP surgery, sexual health clinic, travel clinic or occupational health clinic |
| Hepatitis A | People at increased risk | Hepatitis A | GP surgery, sexual health clinic, travel clinic or occupational health clinic |
If you have missed any vaccinations
It is important to stay up to date with your vaccinations. If you are not sure whether you have missed any vaccinations, contact your GP or practice nurse. They can check your records and arrange any vaccine appointments they provide. They can also advise you where to get vaccines offered through other services, such as sexual health or travel clinics.