About COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against COVID-19.
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine
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.
You may be able to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine in autumn 2023 if you're at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. For example, this may be due to a health condition or your age. The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.
If you develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens your immune system, your specialist may advise you to get a COVID-19 vaccine sooner. Speak to your specialist for more information.
Find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine
Seasonal COVID-19 vaccine
You may be able to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine in autumn 2023 if you’re at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. For example, this may be due to a health condition or your age.
How to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine
The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.
When available, there may be different ways you can get a COVID-19 seasonal vaccine:
- booking online
- going to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
- a local NHS service, such as a GP surgery
- through your care home
Which COVID-19 vaccine will I get?
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:
- if you're pregnant
- if you're under 18 years old
- if you're 75 years old or over
- in very rare cases if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to one of the common vaccines you may be referred to a specialist clinic for an alternative COVID-19 vaccine
Children under 12 years old will be given smaller doses than older children and adults.
How well do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
If you' are re at increased risk of severe COVID-19, getting a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others. Research has shown the vaccine helps:
- reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
- reduce your risk of catching and spreading COVID-19
- protect against different strains (variants) of COVID-19
Seasonal vaccines are offered because protection fades over time.
A vaccine helps give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch COVID-19.
There is a chance you might still get or spread COVID-19 even if you have a vaccine, so it's important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.
Do the vaccines cause side effects?
The COVID-19 vaccines can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety
More information about the COVID-19 vaccines
The Sanofi and GSK (VidPrevtyn Beta) COVID-19 vaccine contains an oil derived from sharks.
The other COVID-19 vaccines offered by the NHS do not contain animal products, including egg.
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK, including their ingredients:
Additional vaccines for people with a severely weakened immune system
If you develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens your immune system, you may need additional protection before autumn 2023.
How to get an additional vaccine
Your specialist will assess whether you need an additional vaccine. They will make a referral and advise on the best timing for vaccination around your planned treatment. Speak to your specialist for more information.