Millions of people around the world have now had COVID-19 vaccines.
When they were first available, COVID-19 vaccines played an important role in reducing the spread of the condition. So it was important that as many people as possible had them.
Over time, the virus has changed. The vaccines are now not as effective at stopping you getting the virus. But they are very good at stopping you becoming very unwell and needing to go to hospital. Most people have now had COVID-19 and at least 3 vaccines. This means they have some immunity to the virus. And it is very unlikely that they will become seriously ill if they catch it.
Because of this, the vaccine programme has changed. The focus is now on supporting people who may not have this immunity. These people are at risk of becoming severely unwell from COVID-19. This includes older people, people with some medical conditions, and people taking strong medicines to supress their immune system.
If you have a serious medical condition that puts you at higher risk from COVID-19 then it is important to have the vaccines.
Vaccine update – April 2025:
If you are classed as higher risk, you may be offered COVID-19 booster vaccines.
Spring booster 2025
Who this is for:
- adults aged 75 years and over (including anyone who will be 75 by the 17th of June 2025)
- people living in a care home for older adults
- people aged 6 months to 74 years who have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment
This includes people who:
- have had a transplant
- are taking strong steroid medicines
- have had recent biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- are taking long term immunosuppressive medicines
Exactly who is now eligible for the COVID-19 boosters can be complicated. If you are not sure check with your GP, Pharmacist, or hospital specialist.
Autumn booster
This has now finished for 2024. We will update this page when we have information about any boosters being offered in autumn 2025.
Vaccines for carers, close contacts and health care professionals
From autumn 2024 the government has not recommended that the vaccine is offered to carers, close contacts, or health care professionals.
This is because it is thought that vaccinating these people no longer offers much benefit to those at higher risk.
However the vaccine is now available privately. It is safe for most people to have it.
If you would like the vaccine, do not qualify for it on the NHS, and are able to pay for it privately, talk to your local pharmacist. They may be able to offer the vaccine or know where it is available in your area.
Some employers, including NHS organisations, may decide to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to employees as part of their occupational health programme. Possibly alongside flu vaccination in the autumn. Speak to your manager or your HR department.
When and how will I get the booster vaccine?
The 2025 COVID-19 spring vaccination campaign Starts in April and will run until June 17th 2025.
There are several other ways you can get your vaccinations:
- Contact your GP surgery and ask for the vaccine.
- Book your appointment on the NHS app.
- England: book online here: www.nhs.uk/bookcovid.
- England: go to a walk-in centre (check which age groups the centre is for before going there) www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in.
- Northern Ireland: You can find booking information on the nidirect website.
- Wales: you can find out about how to get your vaccine from your local health board website. Find out more here.
- Scotland: book online here. https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp
Additional vaccines
Who this is for:
- People who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 who become severely immunosuppressed.
If your immune system has recently become very weak, you might need an extra COVID-19 vaccination before any seasonal vaccines are due. You should speak to your specialist if you think you may need this vaccine. Doctors have been asked to decide who needs to have an additional vaccine straight away and who can wait for the next seasonal booster.
Emergency surge vaccine
It is possible that extra vaccines will be offered if a new type (variant) of COVID-19 emerges. These might only be offered to those who are most at risk or who have less immunity to COVID-19 because they are immunosuppressed.
Vaccine schedules can change regularly. The information above was correct at the time of writing. We will update this page whenever there is a major change. You can also find updated information on the NHS website here.
More Covid-19 information
If you are at higher risk from COVID-19 you might also be able to access treatments without being admitted to hospital. The list of people who can get these treatments is a bit different to the list of people who will be offered the vaccine. Some people might also be able to access treatments as part of a trial.
Find out more about treatments for COVID-19
You can find more information about COVID-19 and liver diseases here. Including a frequently asked questions for people who are immunosuppressed.
