Autumn Covid booster campaign launches

2 mins read

Tuesday 6 September 2022

The NHS has launched its autumn Covid-19 vaccination booster programme and from this week will begin inviting eligible people to book a booster appointment.

Who is eligible?

The following groups are eligible for the booster:

  • People aged five and over in a clinical risk group, including those on their GP Learning Disability Register. Clinical risk groups for children are set out in the Green Book p22 [PDF].
  • People aged five and over who live with someone who is immunosuppressed.
  • Unpaid carers aged 16 and above.

In addition:

  • Older adults and staff in care homes.
  • Health and social care staff (as set out in the Green Book p18 [PDF]).
  • All adults aged 50 and over.

When will me or my child receive our invitation?

From 5 September, GPs are prioritising vaccinating care home residents and people unable to leave their home.

Those eligible for a vaccine will begin to receive their invitations from Wednesday 7 September, with these most at risk invited first.

In the coming weeks, the booster programme will expand to include all over 50 year olds.

How do I book an appointment?

Anyone eligible for a booster will book their appointment via the National Booking Service, which will open soon.

The NHS asks that people wait to receive their invitation before booking an appointment.

Eligible clinically vulnerable five-17 year olds will receive their vaccine at GP vaccination sites, community pharmacies and other vaccination centres.

What vaccine will my child get?

People aged 12 and over can receive a newly approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine that targets two coronavirus strains.

Five-11-year-olds should receive the paediatric formulation of the original Pfizer vaccine.

The government is launching the autumn Covid booster programme alongside the 2022 flu vaccination programme. Some people may be eligible for both the flu and the Covid-19 booster vaccines. If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.

Read more about vaccinating children against the flu.