All you need to know about the Autumn Covid booster vaccine
From 11 September, millions of eligible people will now be offered the autumn booster COVID-19 vaccine.
This year’s autumn flu and Covid-19 vaccines are being offered to people who are eligible earlier than planned. This is as a precaution following a new Covid variant being identified, to help protect the NHS this winter.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
The NHS is inviting people for their booster in priority order. People who are eligible include:
- Older people in care homes
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
- Frontline health and social care workers such as NHS staff, and staff working in care homes for older adults
- People aged 12 to 64 years who live with people who are immunosuppressed. Immunosuppressed means that you have a weakened immune system. This could be from a medical condition or because you are on medication that lowers your immune system.
- People aged 16 to 64 years who are considered carers.
When is the booster available and how do I book an appointment?
Vaccines will begin from 11 September for those most at risk. If you are eligible for the autumn booster vaccination you will be invited to have this from 18 September onwards. Eligible people should wait to receive an invite. If you are invited to have your booster vaccination you will be able to book an appointment on the National Booking Service.
If you cannot book your appointment online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
Further information
Department for Health and Social Care blog