Older Adults (65+)
This section provides information about recommended immunisations for older adults (65 years or more).
Recommended vaccines for older adults include:
Influenza (Flu)
An annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 65 and over as well as all adults with serious heart, chest, kidney and other long-term health problems. 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.
For more information about the Flu vaccine visit the Info Scotland website (external link).
Pneumococcal
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 65 and over and all adults with serious heart, chest, kidney and other long-term health problems. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against most types of infection from the streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium. The bacterium causes pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). One injection will provide years of protection.
If you want more information on vaccines and immunisations, speak to your doctor, health visitor or nurse or call the NHS Helpline, Freephone on 0800 22 44 88.
For further copies of any Health Scotland publications please contact your local Health Promotion Department or contact publications@health.scot.nhs.uk. Alternative versions are also available in braille, audio format and community languages.