Vaccinations

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This page is used to notify you of important vaccination information and any special session dates.

Next Covid 19 boosters

Information on the next booster sessions will be posted here when known.

You can always check the local NHS website for vaccination information.

First and second doses

If you’ve only had one Covid 19 vaccination, or you’ve not had one at all, you can still get the vaccine until 30 June 2023. Everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August last year will be eligible until then.

After that, vaccinations will be targeted at those who are at increased risk from the virus.

Why you should get the booster

Covid 19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions.

Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may decline over time.

For these reasons, the booster dose is being offered to those as greatest risk this spring to help them to maintain strong protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if they catch Covid 19.

Groups who can get the booster

Following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance, the following groups of people will be offered a booster this spring.

Adults aged 75 and over (on or before 30 June 2023).
Residents in a care home for older adults.
People aged 5 and over who have a weakened immune system.

You can book an appointment from 5 April 2023, with the first appointments to take place on 17 April 2023. They will be on offer until 30 June 2023, and 29 June 2023 is the last day that you can book.

The current offer of first and second Covid 19 vaccinations for everyone aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will end at the same time as spring vaccinations on 30 June 2023.

To get two doses you will need to have had your first by 5 May 2023 (7 April 2023 for children aged 5 to 17).

After 30 June 2023, only people at higher risk will be invited for future vaccinations.

Invitations for eligible people

If you’re eligible for a vaccination this spring, you will receive a text message, email, NHS App message or letter from the NHS when it’s your turn to come forward.

Autumn/winter 2023 vaccinations

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not yet issued its final advice on 2023 autumn/winter vaccinations.

When these are available, they are likely to be offered to people who are at increased risk from Covid, for example due to their age or a health condition.

If you become eligible for an autumn/winter vaccination later this year, the NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to come forward.

Please wait to be contacted by the NHS about this.

About the vaccines

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the following vaccines may be used in the 2023 spring programme.

Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent.
Moderna bivalent.
Sanofi/GSK monovalent (beta variant).
Novavax monovalent (wild-type variant) – only for use when alternative products are not considered clinically suitable.

Get further information on the vaccine types

All Covid 19 vaccines offered in England have been approved for use by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

These vaccines have met the MHRA’s strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.

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.

All Covid 19 vaccines you’ll be offered are highly effective and provide a strong booster response.

When you attend your appointment, the NHS will offer you a safe, effective vaccine.

The Sanofi-GSK vaccine

Please see the UKHSA page for information about why some chemicals, called adjuvants, are used. This includes squalene, the shark-derived oil in the VidPrevtyn Beta vaccine manufactured by Sanofi-GSK.

We know that some people will not be able to receive the Sanofi-GSK vaccine, for example for reasons of faith, because it contains an ingredient derived from shark.

For people in this situation, an alternative Covid vaccine will be available.