COVID-19 vaccines and immunodeficiency
On this webpage you will find information and FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines.
Autumn boosters in 2023 (updated 1st September 2023)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has announced its advice regarding persons who will be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine in autumn 2023.
Household contacts of people who have weakened immune systems (referred to as ‘immunosuppressed people’) are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The JCVI has advised that the autumn programme should aim to complete vaccinations by early December 2023.
Those eligible for an Autumn 2023 booster are:
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- people aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book (this includes people with weakened immune systems or who are taking medicines to suppress their immune system). Cohorts are defined in Table 3 (page 19) and Table 4 (page 26) in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book .
- people aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 16 to 64 who are carers, and staff working in care homes for older adults.
The government has not announced which vaccines will be used yet. We will update this page when we have more details.
Autumn booster dates and access
The following dates have been announced for the Autumn booster programme:
England – From 11th September 2023, COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will start for those eligible via Local Booking Systems (LBS), starting with those most at risk, including people with weakened immune system.
On the 18th September 2023, the National Booking System (NBS) will be available to allow eligible people to book a COVID-19 vaccination online (using NHS.uk), via the NHS App or by calling 119.
Information should be posted at
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination-programme/
England recommends people should be offered flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time, although this likely to be dependent on the capacity of local services.
Scotland – Over 50s will receive a flu jab in Scotland, compared to only over 65s in England. Flu jabs for 50-64 year olds will start from 4 September. People aged 65-74 years of age with no underlying conditions and those aged 12-64 years in a clinical risk group (excluding those with a weakened immune system), will be invited for both jabs, with appointments starting from 18 September. All other groups will follow from mid-October.
People should wait to be invited or prompted to book their jab(s) by NHS Scotland.
Details will be posted at The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine | NHS inform .
Wales – the autumn booster programme started on 11 September. Vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 are to be rolled out to over 65s, at risk groups and those working or living with vulnerable people. All eligible individuals should receive an appointment invitation from their local health board. COVID-19 vaccination programme | GOV.WALES
Northern Ireland – the autumn booster programme began on 18 September, starting with residents in care homes. Details will be posted at Get a COVID-19 vaccination in Northern Ireland | nidirect.
Shorten your booster wait
We know some people are worried about attending busy vaccination centres for their COVID-19 vaccines. The NHS in England have produced this poster, clarifying that you can be fast-tracked if you are immunosuppressed, so you don’t have to wait in a busy queue. You may want to print this out and take it to your vaccination centre, to help you ask for the extra protection.
How many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have people with weakened immune systems been offered?
The COVID-19 vaccine schedule for eligible groups 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
Regardless of how many doses you’ve had so far, Immunodeficiency UK advises you should get your booster doses when they are offered.
Useful links
Visit Covid autumn booster vaccine 2023: Everything you need to know – Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre (blog.gov.uk) for the DHSC Q&A factsheet.
Frequently asked questions
Updated September 2023