Vaccination - getting a 1st, 2nd or booster jab
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, on or before 31 August 2022, can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Anyone aged 16 years-old or older, and some children aged 12 years-old to 15 years-old, can also get a booster dose.
Anyone aged 5 years-old or older who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 1st or 2nd dose will be offered an additional primary dose (3rd dose) before any booster doses.
For more on who can get vaccinated, go to NHS: who can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine and GOV.UK: coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years.
How to get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
For information on how to get a 1st, 2nd or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, go to NHS: How to get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
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 information on how you will be contacted for your vaccinations, go to NHS: How you will be contacted for your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination.
Before you are given a vaccination, the NHS vaccination team will ask about any allergies or health conditions you may have. They will then offer the vaccine that's most suitable for you.
All COVID-19 vaccines used by the NHS are highly effective, safe and give a strong immune response, meeting strict standards for effectiveness, safety and quality set by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
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.
Booking a vaccination appointment
You can book an appointment, either at a large vaccination centre or a smaller site such as a community pharmacy, either by using online NHS form below or by phoning 119.
NHS: book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
When available, you can also get vaccinated at local walk-in clinics, pop-up clinics and vaccination bus locations. You don't need to book an appointment or be registered with a GP to use these services. For lists of locations, go to NHS: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site.
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.