Covid-19 vaccination – FAQs

1) I haven’t had my first or second Covid-19 vaccination and am over 18. Is it too late for me to book?  

The offer of two COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone aged 5 or above (by 31 August 2022) has ended. 

You cannot currently book a COVID-19 vaccination online or over the phone.
For most people, vaccinations are only available seasonally.

The NHS will let you know during autumn if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a vaccination ahead of winter.
The National Booking System will open when seasonal vaccinations are available. Find out more about who is able to have a vaccination here.

2) The NHS app isn’t showing the correct information for my vaccines. Who should I contact?

If your vaccination record is wrong or incomplete, you need to call NHS 119 and ask them to raise a query through the Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS). You should receive a call back within 5 working days. Your GP can’t alter the information held about your vaccine status, so please do not contact them about this.

3) I went to the same place I had my first vaccinations, but it’s no longer open for Covid-19 vaccinations. How can I find out where to go for any future vaccinations?

You cannot currently book a COVID-19 vaccination online or over the phone.

From 30th June 2022, the NHS offer is becoming more targeted to those at increased risk from COVID-19, in line with expert advice from JCVI, and most people who are eligible will have to wait until autumn to get the vaccine. For most people, vaccinations are only available seasonally.

The National Booking System will open when seasonal vaccinations are available.

Find out more about who is able to have a vaccination here.

1) Who is currently eligible to receive a booster vaccine?  

Those eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccine include:

1. residents in a care home (now for all CHs)
2. all adults aged 65 years and over
3. persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Green Book, chapter 14a COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
4. pregnant women
5. frontline health and social care workers
6. persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
7. persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.

If you develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens your immune system, or means immunity from previous vaccination may be lost, your specialist may advise you that you need a vaccine.

Our hard-working vaccination teams and volunteers are there to make vaccination clinics run as smoothly as possible. Please remember to be kind.

2) I haven’t had my booster, but I had my second dose more than 6 months ago. What should I do?  

If you had your second dose 6 months ago and are eligible for your booster, please wait to hear from us. 

3) If I am housebound, how do I get a booster vaccine?  

People that are over 75 and housebound are now eligible for a 2nd booster (4th dose). We have a number of roving teams that are vaccinating those that eligible. We will be getting in touch over the coming weeks to arrange your visit.

4) I have had my first or second vaccinations outside of England and am unable to book my booster through NBS. What should I do?  

The overseas validation service is in place to enable these records to be uploaded to system. For more information please visit.

1) My child was unable to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at their school. How can I now ensure my child receives their vaccine?  

The offer of two COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone aged 5 or above (by 31 August 2022) ended on 30 June 2023.

Since then, the NHS started offering COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 4 years who are at increased risk from COVID-19 due to certain medical conditions, in line with expert advice from JCVI. This offer also remains open beyond 30 June to eligible children, who will be invited by local NHS services, for example through their GP practice.

2) When and where can my healthy 5-11 year old receive their vaccine?

The offer of two COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone aged 5 or above (by 31 August 2022) ended on 30 June 2023.

1) Who may be eligible for an additional dose?

Some people who develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens their immune system, such as a stem celltransplant or CAR-T therapy, may require additional protection from COVID-19. Speak to your specialist for more information.I have a severely weakened immune system.

2) How can I get an additional vaccine?

If your specialist or GP has assessed that you need additional COVID-19 vaccination, they should make a referral for you. They must provide a completed patient specific direction form to advise on the best timing for your vaccination around planned treatment. Your Integrated Care Board can help you to arrange a vaccination appointment in your area if your specialist or GP cannot organise this for you. Please contact your local NHS service using the contact details here.

Are carers eligible for the autumn vaccine?

Carers, as defined in the Green Book, will be eligible for the autumn booster:

The definition is as follows:

'Those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those aged 16 years and over who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable.'

1) Can I go to a walk-in site?

COVID-19 vaccine walk-in sites are not currently open. They will re-open in the autumn for eligible groups. When they are open, they will be advertised at nhs.uk/vaccine-walk-in.