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Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests

Use this service to find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test kits.

You do not need to make an appointment or order tests in advance.

Who can get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests

You can get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy if you're aged 12 years and over, and at highest risk of being seriously ill with COVID-19.

The NHS will contact you if your records show you're at highest risk.

Show people at highest risk

You may be at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you:

  • are aged 85 years or over
  • have end-stage heart failure and have a long-term ventricular assistance device
  • are resident in a care home and are aged 70 years or over
  • are resident in a care home and have a BMI of 35 or more, or have diabetes or heart failure
  • have Down's syndrome, or another chromosomal condition that affects your immune system
  • have certain types of cancer, or had treatment for certain types of cancer
  • have sickle cell disease
  • have certain conditions affecting your blood, including some types of blood cancer
  • have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5, including people on dialysis
  • have severe liver disease
  • have had an organ transplant or are on the organ transplant waiting list
  • have certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
  • have HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
  • have a condition affecting your immune system
  • have a condition affecting the brain or nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease or certain types of dementia
  • have certain lung conditions or treatments for lung conditions

This list is a summary and does not cover everything.

If you're unsure if you are eligible, speak to your GP or hospital specialist who can advise you.

Find out more about people at the highest risk who are eligible for COVID-19 treatment on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website.

Information:

If you want to get tested but are not eligible for free rapid lateral flow tests, you need to pay for the test yourself.

You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.

What you'll need to take to the pharmacy

You'll need to tell the pharmacy your:

  • name
  • address
  • date of birth
  • medical condition

If you've been sent a letter or email from the NHS about COVID-19 treatments, you should show this at the pharmacy to help confirm your eligibility.

Anyone collecting COVID-19 tests on your behalf will also need to give their name and address.

Find a pharmacy

Page last reviewed: 4 September 2024
Next review due: 4 September 2027