What is the recommended vaccination schedule for adults, including catch-up vaccinations for those who missed childhood immunisations?

The recommended vaccination schedule for adults includes giving three doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis vaccine (Td/IPV) spaced 4 weeks apart, and two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine spaced at least 4 weeks apart, for those who have missed childhood immunisations ¹.

For individuals aged 25 years or over, a two-dose schedule of HPV vaccine (spaced 6 to 24 months apart) is recommended if they missed vaccination in childhood, with the course to be resumed if interrupted, but not repeated ¹.

Catch-up vaccinations for other vaccines, such as MenACWY, are also advised for those who missed initial doses, especially in the context of specific programmes like the MenACWY catch-up scheme for older adolescents and university entrants up to age 25 ¹.

In cases of uncertain or incomplete immunisation history, it is recommended to assume the individual has not been vaccinated and to provide the full course of vaccines as outlined above ¹.