What vaccines should adults aged 50+ consider?

Last reviewed: 2026-06-08

Quick answer

Fifty is a reasonable point to review your vaccines. Hong Kong lists people aged 50 or above as a priority group for the seasonal flu vaccine (yearly), and recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for those with risk factors. As you get older, it's also worth considering the shingles vaccine, and, at older ages or with high-risk conditions, the pneumococcal and RSV vaccines. Some are self-paid, so whether to have them is a discussion with a doctor.

At 50, the risk of some diseases starts to rise, making it a good point to review your vaccination record.

Seasonal flu vaccine

Hong Kong lists people aged 50 or above as a priority group for the flu vaccine, available free or subsidised through the government programme, once a year.

COVID-19 vaccine

People aged 50 to 64 with relevant health risks are a priority group for the COVID-19 vaccine and can have a booster under the programme.

Shingles vaccine

The risk of shingles rises with age. Hong Kong has the recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix), given in two doses to prevent shingles and its nerve-pain complications. There's no public subsidy, so it's self-paid.

Pneumococcal vaccine

In Hong Kong, pneumococcal vaccination is mainly subsidised for the elderly and high-risk groups. People in their 50s with specified high-risk conditions can discuss with a doctor whether earlier vaccination is needed. (See "Which pneumococcal vaccine does the HK government subsidise for older adults?")

RSV vaccine

Two adult RSV vaccines are registered in Hong Kong, Abrysvo and Arexvy, to prevent RSV-related lower respiratory tract infection, mainly for older adults or those with risk factors. Both are self-paid.

Before vaccination

Needs vary from person to person by age, health and vaccination history. Which vaccines suit you, and whether the self-paid ones are worthwhile, are questions to discuss with a family doctor.

Answer six short questions to see which vaccines are worth discussing with your GP, and why.

Based on your age, health, and travel plans, using HK Department of Health and CDC guidance. A ranked list of vaccines, with the reason each one applies to you.

Rule-based

The recommendations follow HK Department of Health and US CDC guidance, and you can see how each one was reached.

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