Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Anyone who gets coronavirus (COVID-19) can become seriously ill or have long-term effects ('long COVID'). The COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others.

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine

Anyone aged 5 years-old or older can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Go to GOV.UK: coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years.

Anyone aged 16 years-old or older, and some children aged 12 years-old to 15 years-old, can get a 3rd dose as a booster.

Anyone aged 5 years-old or older who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, will be offered a 3rd dose, and a 4th dose as a booster.

For more on who can get vaccinated, go to NHS: who can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

NHS boosters from Autumn 2022

The NHS is providing more boosters from autumn 2022, starting with people who are aged 50 or over, or at higher risk, or pregnant, or a paid or unpaid carer, or living or working in a care home for older people, or a frontline health or social care worker.

These boosters are updated versions of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) and Moderna vaccines. They target both the original coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Omicron variant. This means they provide more immunity against current viruses and may also give greater protection against new variants.

The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to come forward for your booster. It's important you come forward as soon as possible when it's your turn. For maximum protection, your COVID-19 vaccination booster must be at least 3 months after your previous dose.

At your appointment, the NHS vaccination team will ask about any allergies or health conditions you may have. They will then offer the booster vaccine that's most suitable for you.

All COVID-19 vaccines used as NHS boosters are highly effective, safe and give a strong immune response. The Pfizer and Moderna boosters both meet strict standards for effectiveness, safety and quality set by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Go to GOV.UK: a guide to COVID-19 vaccination boosters from autumn 2022.

Be alert for scam messages offering you the option to pay for a vaccination – a genuine message from the NHS will never ask for bank account or financial details.

NHS walk-in clinics, pop-up clinic and vaccination bus

You can find lists of all local walk-in clinics and, if available, pop-up clinics and vaccination bus locations, at NHS: find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site.

You don't need to book an appointment or be registered with a GP to use these services.

Simply go to NHS: find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site, then scroll down the page and select the 'Find a walk-in site' button. You can then enter your postcode or town name and select 'Search' to see a list of all the sites nearest to your location.

Booking a vaccination appointment

If you prefer, you can book an appointment at a large vaccination centre or a smaller site, such as a community pharmacy. You can book your appointment online with the NHS using the form below, or by phoning 119.

The website and phone lines can get busy so you may be held in a queue for a short time. Please be patient and keep trying.

NHS: book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

Vaccination safety

Our vaccination safety page has lots more information to answer any questions you may have, including concerns about:

• vaccine side effects
• vaccine ingredients
• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• fertility

Types of vaccines

It's not always possible provide certain types of vaccine, even if they've been advertised for a vaccination session. Staff and volunteers at vaccination sites are trained to answer your questions and concerns. If a clinician has advised you to have a certain type of vaccine, you should either:

• bring their letter or email to the vaccination site
• book an appointment for your vaccination via the national booking system

If you were vaccinated outside of England

If you are aged 16 years-old or older and have a NHS number, you can book an appointment to show evidence of any coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had outside of England. The NHS can then update your vaccination record.

Go to NHS: tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had abroad.

COVID-19 symptoms and testing

Do not attend an appointment or go to a walk-in site if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 28 days prior to your appointment, or if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

For advice on living safely, go to GOV.UK: living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

Our amazing NHS volunteers

Over 1,000 volunteers are helping to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19) across Mid and South Essex, but many more are needed. You can give as little or as much time as you want. To find out more, go to NHS Mid and South Essex: how to volunteer.

It's only possible to vaccinate millions of people across the UK thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many amazing teams that run testing sites, vaccination sites, GP practices and hospitals. Please be kind to them!