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 asthma (if you need steroid tablets) or cystic fibrosis
a long-term heart condition, such as congenital heart disease
a long-term condition of the kidney, liver or digestive system
breathing difficulties that may occur in people with a diagnosis of, for example, epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or a disease of the nervous system or muscles
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 booking online, on the NHS App or by going to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.

Book your appointment online

You can book online to get your seasonal COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre or pharmacy.

Book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment online

Book your appointment on the NHS App

You can check if you're eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine and book an appointment.

Book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment on the NHS App

Go to a walk-in vaccination site

Find a walk-in vaccination site to get your seasonal COVID-19 vaccine without needing an appointment.

Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site

If you cannot book appointments online or on the NHS App, 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.

You may 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.

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.

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.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine