Getting a COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you're at increased risk from severe COVID-19.
Who is eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine
You or your child may be offered a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
- aged 65 years old or over (you need to be 65 years old by 31 March 2024)
- aged 6 months to 64 years old and are at increased risk
- living in a care home for older adults
- a frontline health or social care worker
- aged 16 to 64 years old and are a carer
- aged 12 to 64 years old and live with someone with a weakened immune system
People at increased risk from COVID-19 aged under 16 years old
You may be at increased risk from COVID-19 if you or your child have a health condition, such as:
- a long-term lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma (if you need steroid tablets) or cystic fibrosis
- a long-term heart condition, such as congenital heart disease or chronic heart failure
- a long-term condition of the kidney, liver or digestive system
- a long-term problem with the brain or nerves, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, an inherited condition, or autism
- severe or multiple learning disabilities (or being on the learning disability register), such as Down's syndrome
- diabetes or another hormone disorder, such as Addison's disease
- a weakened immune system, due to a medical treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy), a condition (such as leukaemia), a genetic condition or from having an organ or bone marrow transplant
- problems with the spleen, having no spleen or having a condition that can affect the spleen (such as sickle cell disease)
- a serious genetic condition that affects multiple systems in the body, such as mitochondrial disease
- being pregnant (all stages)
- living in a long-stay nursing and residential care home as a younger adult
This list is a summary and does not cover everything. There are other health conditions and treatments that may mean you or your child are at increased risk from COVID-19.
You should be told if you or your child are at increased risk from COVID-19. If you're unsure, speak to a pharmacist, GP or your specialist for advice.
People at increased risk from COVID-19 aged 16 years old and over
You may be at increased risk from COVID-19 if you have a health condition, such as:
- a long-term lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma (if you need steroid tablets) or cystic fibrosis
- a long-term heart condition, such as congenital heart disease, chronic heart failure or atrial fibrillation
- long term kidney disease (CKD) stage 3, 4 or 5
- a severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis
- a long-term problem with the brain or nerves, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Huntington's disease, myasthenia gravis, or a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- severe or multiple learning disabilities (or being on the learning disability register), such as Down's syndrome
- diabetes or another hormone disorder, such as Addison's disease
- a weakened immune system, due to a medical treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy), a condition (such as leukaemia), or from having an organ or bone marrow transplant
- problems with the spleen, having no spleen or having a condition that can affect the spleen (such as sickle cell disease)
- living with severe obesity (having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)
- a severe mental health condition, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- being pregnant (all stages)
- living in a long-stay nursing and residential care home as a younger adult.
This list is a summary and does not cover everything. There are other health conditions and treatments that may mean you're at increased risk from COVID-19.
You should be told if you have an increased risk from COVID-19. If you're unsure, speak to a pharmacist, GP or your specialist for advice.
How to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine
If you're eligible, you can get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine by:
You may also be contacted by a local NHS service, such as your GP surgery, to get a vaccine for you or your child. This is usually done by text or a phone call, but you may sometimes get a letter or a notification in the NHS App.
If you live in a care home and you are eligible, staff at your care home will arrange your vaccination for you.
Book your appointment online
You can book online to get your seasonal COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre or pharmacy.
Information:
If you cannot book appointments online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to.
If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
Go to a walk-in vaccination site
Find a walk-in vaccination site to get your seasonal COVID-19 vaccine without needing an appointment.
Important:
COVID-19 and flu vaccines
Some people may be eligible for both seasonal COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
You may be asked if you want a flu vaccine at the same time.
1st and 2nd vaccines for children aged 6 months to 4 years old
Children aged 6 months to 4 years old who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 can get a 1st and 2nd COVID-19 vaccine.
How to get a 1st and 2nd vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years old
Please contact your child's GP surgery to arrange their appointments.
Information:
Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 4 years old
Children aged 6 months to 4 years old who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 can get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine through their GP surgery. They need to have had their 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine over 91 days ago.
What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19
If you have COVID-19, or think you might, wait until you feel better before getting vaccinated.
You should also wait if you have a high temperature or feel particularly unwell with any illness. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, there's no need to delay getting vaccinated.
More information
Page last reviewed: 21 March 2023
Next review due: 21 March 2026