Adult vaccines
Fully vaccinated adults will only need new vaccines as they meet new eligibility criteria.
Fully vaccinated adults will only need new vaccines as they meet new eligibility criteria. For instance:
- Seasonal vaccines on diagnosis of long-term or chronic health conditions
- Seasonal and health condition specific vaccines dependent on age
- Seasonal and risk specific vaccines during pregnancy
Vaccinations available to adults
Vaccines in pregnancy
Whooping cough (pertussis vaccine)
Available at 20 weeks pregnant, but you can have it from 16 weeks. To give your baby the best protection against whooping cough, you should have the vaccine before 32 weeks of pregnancy.
If you are 20 weeks pregnant and have not been offered the whooping cough vaccine, contact your midwife or GP surgery
Find out more by reading information on whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Recommended during every pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after they’re born.
You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.
Speak to your maternity service or GP if you’re 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.
Find out more by reading information on RSV vaccine in pregnancy.
Find out more by reading information on how vaccines can protect you and your baby during pregnancy.
65 years and over
Shingles
Is a common infection that can cause a painful rash. The shingles vaccine is recommended for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.
Speak to your GP receptionist if you think you’re eligible for the shingles vaccine, but you’ve not been contacted.
Find out more by reading information on the Shingles vaccine.
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Recommended for babies and adults aged 65 and over who are at higher risk of getting serious illnesses like pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.
Speak to your GP receptionist if you think you’re eligible for the shingles vaccine, but you’ve not been contacted.
Find out more by reading information on the Pneumococcal vaccine.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Recommended for adults aged 75 to 79.
Your GP will contact you about getting the RSV vaccine. This may be by letter, text, phone call or email.
Find out more by reading information on RSV vaccine for older people.
Vaccines if you’re at risk
The NHS calls people who are more likely to suffer serious complications or illness, from viruses and diseases, ‘people at-risk’. Find out more here.
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine can be given at any age to help protect against these 3 infections.
2 doses of the MMR vaccine give you long-term protection.
If you did not have the MMR vaccine as a child speak to your GP receptionist.
Find out more by reading information on the MMR vaccine.
Unsure if you’re vaccinated?
If you are not sure if you have had all your vaccines submit an online request with your GP practice to ask. Your GP practice will identify missing vaccinations and schedule a catch-up if needed.