On this webpage, you will find information and FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines (updated 8th April 2025).
We encourage you to take up the offer of the Spring booster as it will help reduce the chances of you developing severe COVID-19 disease.
Details of the vaccination programmes in the four home nations:
- In England: The Spring vaccination programme will run from 1 April to 17 June. If you are eligible for a vaccination, you will be contacted by text, email, NHS App messages or a letter, but you don’t need to wait. You can book an appointment via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119.
Walk-in appointments are also available. Use the NHS walk-in finder to find a location near you.
- In Scotland: The programme will run from 31st March – 30th June. Wait to be contacted by letter, or by text or email if you have previously opted to be contacted in these ways.
- In Wales: The programme will run from 1 April to 31 July. You will receive an invitation from your local health board.
- In Northern Ireland: The programme will run from 7 April to 31 July. You can get a vaccination from your GP, participating local pharmacies or HSC Trust (Health and Social Care Trust) clinics. NI Direct has more information.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria are the same in all home nations:
- Adults aged 75 years and over (those who turn 75 years old by 17 June 2025) do not need to wait until their birthday, they can get vaccinated anytime between 1 April and 17 June).
- Residents in care homes for older adults (people who are admitted to an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed by 17 June are also eligible).
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed as defined by the Green Book, this includes:
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- Individuals with primary or acquired immunodeficiency states at the time of vaccination due to certain conditions
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- Individuals on immunosuppressive or immunomodulating therapy at the time of vaccination
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- Individuals with chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease who were receiving or had received immunosuppressive therapy prior to vaccination
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- Individuals who had received high-dose steroids for any reason in the month before vaccination
For the full criteria please refer to the Green Book. The criteria for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in those aged 12 years and above can be found in Box 1, while criteria for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 6 months to 11 years can be found in Box 2.
Timing of your vaccination
The JCVI’s advice is that COVID-19 vaccinations should be around 6 months apart. The absolute minimum between doses is 3 months.
Why getting vaccinated is important
The NHS recommends topping up your protection against COVID-19 if you are in the defined high-risk group listed above. New evidence from the UK Health Security Agency1 (UKHSA) shows that people who had a vaccination last spring were less likely to be admitted to hospital for up to two months afterwards, compared to people who did not have one.
₁ JCVI advises on eligible groups for 2024 spring COVID-19 vaccine – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Who cannot take up the offer of a spring vaccine?
There are very few eligible people who should not have a dose this spring. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor. You can get your seasonal COVID-19 vaccine three months after your last COVID-19 vaccine.
How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine have people with immunodeficiency been offered?
The COVID-19 vaccine schedule for people with immunodeficiency up to now has been:
- 1st primary dose – from around Jan 2021
- 2nd primary dose – from around April 2021
- 3rd primary dose – from around September 2021
- 4th dose (1st booster) – from around January 2022
- 5th dose (Spring 2022 booster) – from around April 2022
- 6th dose (Autumn 2022 booster) – from around September 2022
- 7th dose (Spring 2023 booster) – from around April 2023
- 8th dose (Autumn 2023 booster) – from around October 2023
- 9th dose (Spring 2024 vaccination) – from around April 2024
- 10th dose (Autumn/Winter 2025 vaccination) – from around October 2024.
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine even if I have not had any previous doses?
If eligible, you can get protection from a spring COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past. Most people do not need extra vaccinations to make up for any they have missed, but your doctor may advise a further dose if you have a severely weakened immune system.
Getting re-vaccinated after a stem cell transplant
Anthony Nolan has information about re-vaccination following a stem cell transplant.
If I’m not eligible, can I get a COVID-19 vaccination privately?
You can get a COVID-19 vaccination privately. This may be of interest if you live with, or have regular contact with, someone who has a poorly functioning immune system and you don’t qualify for your national vaccination programme.
Check with your local pharmacies whether they can offer this service. A vaccination can cost from £45 up to £100, depending on the provider and the vaccine type.
The information has been provided by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England. Posted 8th April 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Updated 8th April 2025