Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccination?

COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you’re at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It’s important to top up your protection if you’re eligible.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can:

  • help reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms

  • help you recover more quickly if you catch COVID-19

  • help reduce your risk of having to go to hospital from COVID-19

  • protect against different types of COVID-19 virus

COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and work well.

Who can have the free NHS COVID-19 vaccination?

You can have the free NHS COVID-19 vaccination if you:

  • are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)

  • are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment*

  • live in a care home for older adults

*This can include if you:

  • have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma

  • have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant

  • have HIV

  • have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)

  • are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy

  • are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)

  • are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis

How to get the free NHS COVID-19 vaccination

If you can have the NHS COVID-19 vaccination, your general practice surgery will let you know in autumn or early winter about how you can have your vaccination.

Speak to your general practice surgery if you have not been contacted by the mid October, but you think you are eligible.
You will be able to get your vaccination at:

  • your general practice surgery

  • a pharmacy or vaccination centre that offers NHS COVID-19 vaccination

  • in a local pop up vaccination site

Some people will be offered the vaccination through their care or nursing home.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can have the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the flu vaccine, RSV vaccine and shingles 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.

Please accept the vaccination that is offered to you as soon as you are able to – you will be offered the right vaccine for you at the right time.

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 needing NHS treatment. 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 from the virus which is still circulating in our communities.

COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety record, severe side effects are uncommon, most are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:

having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around a day or two following the vaccination

  • feeling tired
  • headache
  • general aches, or mild flu like symptoms.

Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:

  • rest
  • continue to move your arm regularly
  • take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it.

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.

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.

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.

You still need to top up your protection if you are eligible for an autumn vaccine, even if you have recently recovered from COVID-19. If you have COVID-19, or think you might, please wait until you’ve recovered before getting vaccinated. You should also wait if you have a fever or feel particularly unwell with any illness. If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, there is no need to delay getting vaccinated.

People who are ‘immunosuppressed’ are at the greatest risk from COVID-19 as their immune systems are not working normally. This includes people on chemotherapy, strong immunosuppressant medications, high doses of steroids or those with a medical condition affecting their immune system. If you are in one of these groups, it’s essential to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

If you aren’t sure if you which group you are in, come in and have a confidential discussion with your vaccinator.

In the first instance you should contact your GP practice and check that you’re registered with them as being housebound and that you are eligible. Patients who are registered as housebound with their GP practice will be contacted directly when their COVID-19 booster is due to arrange a visit from a vaccination team.

Patients who are registered as housebound with their GP practice will be contacted when their COVID booster is due to arrange a visit from a community vaccination team. If your GP practice is not delivering vaccinations your details will have been passed to our team at Dorset HealthCare who will contact you to arrange a house visit.

You may be invited to get your autumn 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.

Most medications do not interact with the COVID-19 vaccine. Let your vaccinator know if you are taking any medications that suppress your immune system, or are on steroids or antibiotics, as this will help us decide the best time for you to get your vaccine.

The seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is offered to protect those most at risk of serious illness from the virus. Infants and children aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book) are eligible for a vaccine to help them to fight the virus quicker if they contract it.

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