Guidance: Supporting vaccination of people experiencing homelessness

People experiencing homelessness face some of the worst health outcomes in society, reflecting increased need but also limited access to and engagement with healthcare services. Improving vaccination uptake in this population represents a high-impact prevention opportunity that supports Core20PLUS5, inclusion health priorities and wider initiatives to reduce avoidable healthcare utilisation, as well as objectives of the Rough Sleeping Programme and infectious disease elimination agendas.

In 2026, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, all individuals aged 16 years and over sleeping rough or using homeless hostels or night shelters became eligible for seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in England. People in these groups may also be considered for hepatitis A and B vaccine in certain circumstances. Other vaccines may be offered opportunistically to the wider population experiencing homelessness in line with national guidance, particularly where vaccination history is uncertain.