Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
It’s important to get your winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you’re eligible. Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.
Who should have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines
You can get both the NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you:
- are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- live in a care home for older adults
Other care home residents, carers and people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system can get the flu vaccine.
Children aged 2 or 3 years and school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) can get the children’s flu vaccine.
Frontline health and social care workers can also get flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
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.
What the pneumococcal vaccine is for
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.
Shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It’s recommended for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.
What the shingles vaccine is for
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.
You’re more likely to get shingles, and it’s more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.
The shingles vaccine helps:
- reduce your chances of getting shingles
- reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles
RSV vaccine
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It’s recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79.
What the RSV vaccine is for
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life.
It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses such as:
- pneumonia (a lung infection)
- bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies)
These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems. They may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.
Getting RSV can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
Who should have the RSV vaccine
The RSV vaccine is recommended if:
- you’re pregnant – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after they’re born
- you’re aged 75 to 79
Information:
If you’re aged 80 or over
If you turned 80 on or after 1 September 2024, you’re eligible for the RSV vaccine until 31 August 2025.
You’re not eligible for the RSV vaccine if you turned 80 before 1 September 2024.