Guidance

Vaccination for people experiencing homelessness pocket guide [plain text]

Published 1 October 2026

Applies to England

The UK Health Security Agency looks after public health. They worked with the NHS and Groundswell Homeless health charity to make this pocket guide. We all want to help improve the health of people who are homeless sleeping outside or using shelters and hostels.

Pocket guide to the free NHS vaccines

This This guide tells you about vaccines you are eligible for if you are sleeping outside, or in a homeless hostel or a night shelter.

If you are sleeping outside, you can be more vulnerable to catching illness that affects your lungs and breathing.

NHS vaccines are free

Having your vaccines can help protect you from becoming unwell from diseases that can be serious. Try to have it before the weather turns cold.

It’s a very small injection in your upper arm. Side effects are very mild such as feeling a bit hot and having a warm achy arm. You can take paracetamol from the pharmacy or supermarket to help make you feel better.

Pneumonia vaccine

This infection can cause illnesses like bronchitis, ear and sinus infections. It can also cause serious illnesses, such as pneumonia and meningitis. The vaccine helps to stop you getting ill. You catch it from people who are coughing and sneezing and being close to people who have it.

You only need one injection for the best protection. You might have an achy arm and feel feverish for a day or so.

You should also ask about other vaccines which you may benefit from depending on your health, age or other factors that increase your chance of catching these infections or having serious complications from them.

For example:

• people who inject drugs should receive hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines to protect them from these infections that damage the liver. You can get them free at sexual health services or drug services
• childhood vaccinations which you may have missed e.g. MMR, diphtheria, tetanus, polio. These are still dangerous in adults. It is never too late to catch-up on these vaccines
• if you are pregnant you need vaccinations to protect you and your baby from whooping cough, RSV and flu. You should also be screened (have a blood test) for infections such as hepatitis B which can pass from mother to child
• older adults need vaccinations to protect them against shingles and RSV (as well as flu and pneumonia)

The needles for vaccines are very small

Lots of people do not like needles. The nurse at your GP knows how to help you to relax. Some people like to lay down to have their vaccine. It only takes a few seconds and there is little to no pain.

Where to get your vaccines

Flu at the pharmacy, GP practice or from a health outreach team. You can also have your pneumoccocal vaccine and any other vaccines you might have missed such as MMR vaccine at your GP practice.

If you have any questions about vaccines, you can find information here or speak to a pharmacist or other health professional.

You can take a friend if that helps or offer to help other friends have their vaccines.

NHS I have the right to register and receive treatment from a GP practice

• I do not need a fixed address.
• I do not need proof of immigration status
• I do not need identification.
• Anyone in England can see a GP

If I need more information I can visit www.nhs.uk/register or call NHS 111 for help

• I may need help filling in forms
• I may need help reading and understanding
• I would like to speak to someone confidentially
• I need a translator and speak