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Getting the Covid 19 Vaccine

Your Covid 19 Vaccination- What to expect and what to watch out for

Getting vaccinated this winter

If you're over 50, you may be eligible for a covid Booster vaccine or a flu vaccine to help you stay healthy this winter.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine

A coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine dose helps improve the protection you have from your first 2 doses of the vaccine.

It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Who can get a COVID-19 booster vaccine

Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have had a 2nd dose of a vaccine at least 6 months ago.

This includes:

  • people aged 50 and over
  • people who live and work in care homes
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
  • people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
  • people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

How and when to get your COVID-19 booster vaccine

If you're eligible, you'll be offered a booster dose at least 6 months after you had your 2nd dose.

Most people can:

  • book a vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
  • go to a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
  • wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery and book an appointment with them
  • Information:
  • People who work for an NHS trust or a care home will usually get their booster dose through their employer.

Book your vaccination appointment online

You can book your COVID-19 booster dose online if you had your 2nd dose at least 6 months ago and you are:

aged 50 and over and the NHS has invited you to book
aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19 and the NHS has invited you to book

a frontline health or social care worker – you do not need to wait for an invite can have the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to people who:

  • are 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
  • have certain health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • are in long-stay residential care
  • receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
  • live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
  • frontline health or social care workers

Where to get the flu vaccine

You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:

  • your GP surgery
  • a pharmacy offering the service
  • your midwifery service if you're pregnant
  • a hospital appointment