The COVID-19 vaccine has a good safety record and is an effective way to protect yourself from the virus.
While COVID-19 can be unpleasant, for some it can be very dangerous and even life threatening, particularly people with certain health conditions, older people and pregnant women. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia or can make existing conditions worse. Every winter, people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19.
Having your COVID-19 vaccination will reduce your risk of serious illness and help you recover more quickly if you catch the virus. The vaccine has kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives and it gives you better protection than any immunity gained from previous infections. It also help protect your family and other people in your community, by helping to stop disease spreading.
In winter, COVID-19 spreads more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting the vaccine ahead of winter is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and ‘get winter strong’.
COVID-19 spreads more easily in winter as we spend more time indoors. Catching the virus over winter increases the risk of serious illness even further. It is therefore important that you get vaccinated ahead of winter as soon as you become eligible.
Adults will be able to get their COVID-19 vaccine in advance of winter from:
11 September
COVID-19 vaccine available for staff and care home residents
18 September
COVID-19 vaccine available for eligible adults (eligible children will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine from this date)
If you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine based on the JCVI recommendations, it is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and the COVID-19 virus changes each year.
The vaccine gives you additional protection to that gained from previous infections. If you have had recent COVID-19 you will still get extra protection from the vaccine, but you will need to wait 4 weeks before getting vaccinated.
Like all medicines, no vaccine is 100% guarantee of not catching the virus – some people may still get COVID-19 despite getting vaccinated but this should be less severe with milder symptoms. It may take a few days for your body to build up protection from the vaccines. Having your COVID-19 vaccination will reduce your risk of serious illness and may help you recover more quickly if you catch the virus.
The COVID-19 vaccine is given to top up the protection in those at higher risk from severe COVID-19 illness to help prevent people being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19 over winter 2023/24. During the pandemic, COVID-19 disproportionately affected those in older age groups, residents in care homes for older adults, and those with certain underlying health conditions, particularly those who are severely immunosuppressed which is why we vaccinate them regularly to ‘top up’ their protection.
The COVID-19 vaccine programmes aim to reduce the number of people that get seriously ill and reduce the spread of the viruses. The government decide which groups will be eligible for free vaccines on the NHS. Their decision is based on the independent advice of clinical experts in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who review the latest clinical evidence and data.
The JCVI has advised that, for most people, it is fine to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Where possible, we encourage you to get both vaccines in the same appointment to ensure you are protected against both viruses.
If this is not possible, we encourage you to get each vaccine as soon as you can, rather than waiting to get both at the same time. If you receive both vaccines in one appointment but originally booked two, please do cancel the other appointment so that it becomes available for someone else.
The COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety record, and their side effects are generally mild and do not last for more than a few days. Your safety will always come first and there are rigorous safety standards that have to be met through the approval process.
As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the official UK regulator are globally recognised for requiring the highest standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for medicines and vaccines. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process. Each of the vaccines are tested on tens of thousands of people across the world. They are tested on both men and women, on people from different ethnic backgrounds, and of all age groups.
Like any other vaccine or medicine, the COVID-19 vaccine is being continuously monitored for safety – the effected benefits of the vaccine far outweigh risk in the majority of patients. You and your healthcare professional can report any suspected side effects through the tried and trusted Yellow Card Scheme.
Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's usually much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once your immune system knows how to fight a disease, it can often protect you.
The COVID-19 vaccine has a good safety record. All adult COVID-19 vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.
Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:
Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:
Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If you experience a high temperature, if your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111.
Worldwide, there have been very rare cases of inflammation of the heart called myocarditis or pericarditis reported after some COVID-19 vaccinations. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men within several days after vaccination. Most of these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.
You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:
You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme:
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.
If you think you’ve already had COVID-19, once you’ve recovered you should still get the vaccines as they will still help protect you.
Almost everybody can have the vaccine, but you should not be vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergy (eg. anaphylaxis) to any of the flu or COVID-19 vaccines, or any of their ingredients – you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are allergic to eggs you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your immuniser. If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.
No, the JCVI advises that the booster vaccine should be offered no earlier than three months after completion of the primary vaccine course.
Only children aged 6 months to 4 years old who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 can currently get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Since the end of the spring 2023 COVID-19 campaign, the primary course of COVID-19 vaccine became a targeted offer to those at higher risk and only during seasonal campaigns. This means during this autumn winter programme, those eligible for the primary course COVID-19 vaccination will be the same as those eligible for the seasonal vaccine.
The main exception to this would be unvaccinated individuals aged five years and above who become or have recently become severely immunosuppressed. These individuals should be considered for primary vaccination, regardless of the time of year. Clinical judgement should be used to decide on the best timing to commence vaccination.
No, all COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use by the NHS are effective and provide a strong booster response. When you attend your appointment, the NHS will offer you a safe, effective vaccine.
There are several different COVID-19 vaccines in use in the UK. They have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines and will be offered a vaccine that gives protection from more than one type of COVID-19. You cannot choose which vaccine you have.
Some people are only offered certain vaccines, for example:
Seasonal COVID-19 vaccines are offered to those at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 – this may be due to a health condition or age. JCVI has recommended that the following groups should be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine this autumn/winter:
The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those with a serious health condition. Those that can get the COVID-19 vaccine due to a health condition are broadly similar to those that can get a flu vaccine including:
A full list of clinical risk groups is included in tables 3 and 4 in Chapter 14a of the Green Book.
You may be invited to get your winter vaccines by the NHS nationally or your GP practice through a letter, text or email. Don’t worry if you do not receive this. If you are eligible, you do not have to wait for this before booking an appointment. If you receive an invite from the NHS and have already been vaccinated do not worry, sometimes there is a delay in the information flowing through and you do not need to do anything. The dates for when you will become eligible are as follows:
To get your COVID-19 vaccination:
If you need support:
People will be able to have their COVID-19 vaccination in a community pharmacy, vaccination centre or they may be invited by their GP practice.
Eligible people can choose to book an appointment to have both their flu and COVID-19 vaccines together in one appointment by booking through the NHS website.
Residents in care homes will be offered their vaccines in their care home.
Health and social care staff will be offered their vaccines through their employer.
The seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is offered to protect those most at risk of serious illness from the virus.
Children aged 5 years and over with certain health conditions, those aged 12 and over that are household contacts of people with immunosuppression and carers aged 16 and over will be able to get the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 4 years are managed at a local level. Children under 12 years old will be given smaller doses than older children and adults.
If your child is eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine, you can book this online at www.nhs.uk/book-covid or via the NHS App.
Your child will receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a local vaccination centre or community pharmacy.
Children aged 5 and over that are eligible for the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get the vaccine from 7 October.
Comirnaty 10 (XBB.1.5)
If you’re pregnant you're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
Getting your vaccine is the safest and most effective way for women to protect themselves and their baby against COVID-19 and it also reduces the risk of having a stillbirth. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine can also give your baby protection against flu and COVID-19 which lasts for the first few months of their lives.
It's safe to have the COVID-19 vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. It's also safe for women who are breastfeeding to have the vaccine. There's no evidence the COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy. It's strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of winter to protect you and your baby.
Yes, you can have the vaccine at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine (pertussis vaccine), but do not delay your COVID-19 vaccine so you can have both vaccines at the same time. Pregnant women are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 at any stage of pregnancy, so you need to have the vaccine as soon as possible. The best time to get vaccinated against whooping cough is from 16 weeks up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. If you miss having the vaccine for any reason, you can still have it up until you go into labour.
You will be offered a vaccine that is suitable for you. If you have any questions, you can discuss these with your GP practice or maternity team.
You can receive the COVID-19 vaccine from 7 October up until 15 December, but there may be opportunities to have the vaccine after this date, but we would encourage you to book during this time if possible.
You can book this online at www.nhs.uk/book-covid (where you may be asked if you want a flu vaccination at the same appointment) or via the NHS App.
To maintain a high level of protection through the coming winter, frontline healthcare workers will be offered the a COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and those in their care who are most at risk.
For some, COVID-19 is an unpleasant illness. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, it can be very dangerous and even life threatening. Every winter, people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19. Catching the virus increases the risk of serious illness even further.
As a healthcare worker, you’re more likely to be exposed to the virus. You will also be caring for people who may be at greater risk from the virus. Being healthy doesn’t reduce your risk of getting the virus or passing it on. You can have COVID-19 without any symptoms and pass it on to family, friends, colleagues and patients, many of whom may be at increased risk of serious illness if they get the virus.
The vaccines is our best protection against COVID-19. Over the last few years it has kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives. Getting your vaccine is straight forward and while some people may experience some mild short lived side effects, they will keep you protected and if you do run into the virus, your symptoms are likely to be milder and you may recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.
Getting the vaccine ahead of winter, when the virus spread more easily, is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe, so you can continue to be there for the people you care for.
It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and the COVID-19 virus changes each year. The vaccine gives you additional protection to that gained from previous infections and gives you good protection from being seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch COVID-19.
The seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is available from early October.
No, having the COVID-19 vaccine is not compulsory for health and care staff, but is an important protection for them and those they come into contact with. Local employers will be working hard to ensure all staff can get the COVID-19 vaccine this autumn and winter, and we are confident that most of our staff will choose to protect themselves and those around them by getting the vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine may be offered through your employer or you can book the COVID-19 vaccine through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. All eligible frontline staff will continue to be able to self-declare on the National Booking Service.
You may be offered your flu vaccine at the same time, or separately. If you are offered either vaccine, get them as soon as possible.
