Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine

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 40 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.

How and when to get your COVID-19 booster vaccine

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

People who work for an NHS trust or a care home will usually get their booster dose through their employer.

Book your vaccination appointment online

You can pre-book your COVID-19 booster dose online if it's been 2 months (61 days) since you had your 2nd dose and you are:

• aged 40 and over
• aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19
• a frontline health or social care worker

You'll be offered appointment dates from 3 months after the date of your 2nd dose.