Older adults over 65 years

Older adults over 65 years of age, or adults with serious heart, chest, kidney and other long-term health problems, are recommended to get the flu vaccine for protection against seasonal flu. The annual flu vaccine is made available from September each year in advance of the winter flu season. A fresh vaccine is developed and provided each year to protect against the particular flu strains circulating that year.

Everyone aged over 65 is also recommended to get the Pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia. One injection provides years of protection.

Immunisations for older adults:

Influenza (Flu) vaccine
Protects against seasonal flu.

Pneumococcal vaccine
Protects against one of the most common causes of meningitis.

More information:

For advice and information on any health topic, you can call the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (8am–10pm, 7 days).