What is the COVID-19 vaccine – and how do I get it?
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19.
You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:
- Are aged 65 or over
- Are pregnant
- Are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment
- Live in a care home for older adult
- You are a healthcare worker.
Where can I book my vaccine?
If you’re eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online
- In the NHS App – you will need to book your vaccination before 20 December 2024
- Go to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.
Are there any side effects?
Yes. Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and only some get them. You should not have the vaccine if you’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction to:
- Any of the ingredients in the vaccine
- A previous dose of the same COVID-19 vaccine.
Severe allergic reactions are rare. If you do react to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. Staff giving the vaccine have training to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
I’m pregnant, can I still get the vaccine?
No specific safety concerns concerning pregnancy have been identified with any brand of COVID-19 vaccines.
Pregnant women in the UK should be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
I’ve had COVID-19. Do I still need to get a booster?
Yes. An effective vaccine is the best way to protect people from COVID-19, reduce hospitalisations and save lives. Vaccines are the only way to eradicate the disease.
People who’ve already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated. It’s still just as important for those who’ve already had COVID-19 as it is for those who haven’t.
