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Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. Most vaccines are offered during childhood to protect children whilst their immune system is still developing, many of these vaccines offer lifelong protection, protecting us as we reach older age when our immune systems can start to decline.
There are some vaccines that are offered to adults who present a higher risk due to certain health conditions, pregnant women and older adults as we become more vulnerable. To find out about all vaccines and when to have them, go to the vaccinations section on the NHS website.
Shingles
Shingles is a common viral infection which results in a painful rash. Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the same virus that causes chickenpox. When people get chickenpox, the virus stays in the body for the rest of our life. This virus can be reactivated later and cause shingles. This is more common when people get older or have weakened immune systems.
Older adults tend to experience a more severe form of the disease which can result in secondary complications including persistent pain, hearing loss and blindness as well as secondary skin infections that may require hospitalisation.
Shingles vaccine
You can get shingles more than once, so it's important to get vaccinated even if you have had shingles before. Get more information on if you are eligible for the shingles vaccine:
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, for many of us it will get better by itself, however for some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses such as pneumonia (a lung infection) or bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies). These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems which may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.
RSV vaccination
The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. It’s a one off vaccination.
Get more information on if you are eligible for the RSV vaccine:
Pneumococcal infection
Pneumococcal infections can cause serious disease such as meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) and less serious infections such as ear infections, pneumonia and bronchitis.
Pneumococcal infections are most common in the winter months and particularly affect the very young, older people and people with certain medical conditions.
Get more information on the pneumococcal vaccine.
Flu and COVID
Some adults are eligible for annual flu and/or COVID vaccines, find out more about these vaccines.
Flu and COVID vaccination and booking services - NHS
Other vaccines that some adults may need
Some vaccinations are not routinely given to all adults, below are some vaccines that may be offered to you due to your specific increased risk. The risk may be increased due to work (e.g healthcare workers, prison staff), travel (e.g traveling abroad or having family visit you from abroad) or having a weakened immune system (e.g people with other health conditions).
BCG/ TB vaccine
TB (Tuberculosis) is mainly given to those who are at higher risk of coming into contact with TB, such as people who are visiting higher risk countries, contact through work or people who have visitors from higher risk areas. See if you are eligible:
BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) - NHS
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for people at higher risk of catching or getting seriously ill from hepatitis B, check if you are eligible:
Varicella vaccine (Chickenpox)
This is available to those who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox, pregnant women, babies, and those with weekend immune systems. See if you are eligible:
Adults who have other health conditions
If you have other health conditions you may need additional vaccines sooner, find out more about these vaccinations:
It is best to discuss your own personal circumstances and the vaccinations that meet your needs with your own GP who better understands your medical history.
Vaccinations in pregnancy
Some vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy to help protect the health of you and your baby. The vaccinations that are offered to you whilst you are pregnant, help to protect your baby when they are first born and whilst their immune system is still new, this is a time when catching diseases can lead to the most severe complications. When you are vaccinated during pregnancy you give your unborn child some protection until they are able to have their own vaccinations. Their own vaccinations will give them longer lasting protection.
Click here to find out more information on Vaccinations during pregnancy:
Vaccinations in pregnancy - NHS
Please discuss vaccinations with your midwife and/or GP, check the link above for when your vaccinations are due and if you have not been offered them by the appropriate stage of your pregnancy, please ask you midwife or GP to book you in for them.
Vaccines recommended in pregnancy
Flu vaccine
Pregnant women are more likely to get flu complications (such as pneumonia) than women who are not pregnant and are more likely to be admitted to hospital.
Find out more about the flu vaccine:
The flu jab in pregnancy - NHS
Pertussis (Whooping cough) vaccine
Whooping cough can be a very serious infection, and young babies are most at risk.
Having the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy gives your baby high levels of protection against serious whooping cough illness until they are able to have their own whooping cough vaccination. We have seen an increase of whooping cough cases in the UK.
Get more information about the whooping cough vaccine:
Whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy - NHS
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
RSV can cause serious lung infections (including pneumonia and bronchiolitis), which can make it difficult for babies to breathe and feed. These illnesses may need to be treated in hospital.
Find out more about the RSV vaccine:
COVID-19 vaccine
You are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you are pregnant. If you get COVID-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk. It is safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy.
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination:
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and COVID-19 vaccination - NHS
Get more information on the vaccines your baby will receive when they are born and when they are due to have them: