The People First logo: Supporting independent living and health in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster
Skip to content

Vaccinations and Immunisations

Easy ReadOne or more sections on this page provide access to easy-read information - look out for this logo.

Vaccinations are the most effective way to protect you and your family from serious and potentially fatal diseases. The World Health Organisation says that vaccinations are the most important health intervention after clean water and are responsible for saving millions of lives worldwide every year.

The NHS has a free vaccination programme for children, pregnant women, older adults and people with health conditions. Some vaccinations are offered seasonally, some are available all year round.

Vaccinations for older adults include: Flu (Autumn), COVID-19 (Spring and Autumn), RSV (against Respiratory Syncytial Virus), PPV (to protect against infections like pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis), and Shingles.

Flu occurs every year, usually in winter, which is why it’s sometimes called seasonal flu. It’s a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. The most common symptoms are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover within 7 days, but for others, flu can be serious and even life-threatening.

It is important to get protected, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu before, as immunity fades over time and flu viruses change each year. If you are vaccinated and catch flu this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of going to hospital.

Every autumn the NHS offers free vaccinations to those most at risk from serious flu complications.

From October 2025, free NHS flu vaccines are available for:

  • anyone aged 65 or over
  • people with certain long-term health conditions
  • people who are pregnant
  • people who live in a care home
  • people who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
  • people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system; children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2025
  • school-aged children, Reception to Year 11

Flu vaccinations are available via your GP or pharmacist.

For more information and to book your flu vaccine visit the NHS website.

Information about Winter Health Services available locally 

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. COVID-19 is not a seasonal illness, with cases all year round. During the winter it can circulate at the same time as seasonal respiratory infections such as RSV and flu.

COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you are at increased risk. Topping up your COVID-19 vaccination will reduce serious symptoms and speed up your recovery if you do catch COVID-19. This protection will last through winter.

COVID-19 vaccines are normally given in Spring and Autumn, but some people with a severely weakened immune system may need additional protection at other times.

In Autumn 2025 the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for:

  • anyone aged 75 or over
  • anyone aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
  • living in a care home for older adults

For more information and to book your COVID vaccination visit the NHS website. 

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)  , a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Getting RSV can also worsen symptoms for those with lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The RSV vaccine is recommended if:

  • you're pregnant (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after birth
  • you're aged 75 to 79
  • If eligible, you can get the RSV vaccine at any time (not just in the autumn).

For more information on the RSV vaccine, visit the NHS website .

To book an RSV vaccine, contact your GP.

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. It is recommended for people at higher risk such as babies and people over 65 years old.

Babies are given the PCV vaccine as part of the routine immunisations schedule .

Adults will be invited for the PCV vaccine at the GP practice when they turn 65. Contact your GP practice if you have missed your PCV vaccination.

For more information about PCV vaccination, visit the NHS website.

To book an appointment for a vaccination, contact your GP.

Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious complications such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness. You are more likely to get shingles, and it’s more likely to be serious, 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 serious complications from shingles

The shingles vaccination is recommended for:

  • People who turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023: two doses 6-12 months apart. You remain eligible until your 80th birthday.
  • If you turned 65 before September 2023, you become eligible when you turn 70.
  • People aged between 70 and 79: eligible until your 80th birthday.
  • People aged 50 and over with severely weakened immune systems.

Contact your GP surgery if you have missed your shingles vaccine.

There are two types of shingles vaccine:

  1. Zostavax® – given as 1 dose; contains traces of porcine gelatine.
  2. Shingrix® – given as 2 doses; does not contain porcine gelatine. Shingrix® will usually be given to people aged 65 years and those over 50 with weakened immune systems.

Please ask your GP if you have a preference.

For information on the shingles vaccine, visit the NHS website.

To book an appointment for a vaccination, contact your GP.

Last updated: 19/11/2025
Previous Page Urinary tract infections (UTIs / water infections)