The Covid-19 booster vaccine is now available.

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)

People who are pregnant and in 1 of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

Health conditions that put you at high risk from COVID-19

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.

You can book your COVID-19 booster dose online if it’s been 5 months (152 days) since you had your 2nd dose and you are:

aged 50 and over
aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19

You’ll be offered appointment dates from 6 months after the date of your 2nd dose.

Frontline health and social care workers can book an appointment online if it’s been at least 6 months (182 days) since their 2nd dose.

You can get your booster dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site if you had your 2nd dose at least 6 months ago and you are:

aged 50 and over
aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19 – you’ll need to bring your letter inviting you to get your booster dose or a letter from your doctor about your health condition
a frontline health or social care worker – you’ll need to bring proof of your employment such as your workplace photo ID, a letter or a payslip from your employer within the last 3 months

If you do not get a letter but you have a health condition and you think you’re eligible, contact your GP surgery.

Most people will be offered a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine.

This means your booster dose may be different from the vaccines you had for your 1st and 2nd doses.

Some people may be offered a booster dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine if they cannot have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

Most people who can get a COVID-19 booster vaccine are also eligible for the annual flu vaccine.

If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.