Eligible populations for this season are: 

• Adults aged 65 years and over 
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
• Frontline health and social care workers and staff working in care homes for older adults

If you have had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy, your specialist may advise you that you need re-vaccination against Covid-19. Speak to your specialist or GP for advice.

If you are not in an eligible group, it is not currently possible to access COVID-19 vaccination for free on the NHS.

Covid-19 vaccines can be bought by those aged 12 and over who are not eligible for a free vaccine on the NHS, similar to the flu vaccine.

It is extremely unlikely that healthier/younger individuals will experience serious illness if they catch Covid-19.

You do not need to pay for a Covid-19 vaccine if you are in an eligible group for a seasonal vaccination. 

People who have a weakened immune system can include:

• those who have or previously had a blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
• organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients
• people who have HIV infection at all stages
• people who have a genetic disorder affecting the immune system
• those undergoing a treatment such as steroid medicine (depending on your dosage), certain monoclonal antibody therapies, chemotherapy or radiotherapy (including those whose treatment ended up to 6 months ago)
• people who take certain medicines that increase your risk of infection, such as azathioprine, dexamethasone, prednisolone, ciclosporin or mycophenolate (depending on your dosage)
• recipients of long-term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma and psoriasis

This list is a summary and does not cover every health condition, medication or treatment that can cause a weakened immune system.

If you are unsure, you should speak to your pharmacist, GP or specialist for advice.

The healthcare professional at your appointment will need to confirm you still have a weakened immune system before they can vaccinate you.

For the health condition or treatment that weakens your immune system, it will help if you can:

• bring a repeat prescription or medicine box, OR
• bring an NHS letter confirming your diagnosis,  OR
• show your health record or medication history in the NHS App.

If your health status has changed and you no longer have a weakened immune system, you don’t need to book another appointment.

COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people.

You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you have a certain health condition or if you work in healthcare settings or in a hospice.

There is further information on the NHS website: Who can get a free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test