COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters: frequently asked questions

Spring Boosters - 18 March 2022

People aged 75 and over, care home residents and people with weakened immune systems are now being offered their Spring Booster. This follows the recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that an extra dose should be offered to these groups to make sure those at greatest risk continue to have high levels of protection against COVID-19.

If you are eligible for an extra booster, the NHS will contact you when it is your turn with details of how to make an appointment. People are being prioritised according to when their had their previous booster and by clinical need so please wait to hear and do not contact your GP practice or other NHS services. Everyone who is eligible will be contacted between 21 March and early Summer, depending on when they had their last booster.

Once invited, people will be able to book an appointment at a convenient vaccination centre. Some people may also be contacted by their GP practice and offered an appointment but not all GP services are offering this service so please only contact your GP about a spring booster if you receive an invitation.

If you haven’t had your previous booster, you can visit www.nhs.uk/covid-booster or call 119 to book an appointment or visit a walk-in clinics in your local area.

Frequently Asked Questions about Spring booster vaccinations

A guide to the spring booster for those aged 75 years and older residents in care homes

In response to the national effort to protect people against the Omicron variant, the NHS is working to offer everyone aged 18 and over the chance to book a Covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of December. Online bookings opened on Wednesday 15 December to everyone aged 18 and over.

Extra appointments are being made available at centres across West Yorkshire with staff working round the clock to get people jabbed as quickly as possible. We are asking people to help us vaccinate as many people as possible by booking an appointment rather than walking in - and this will also help to reduce the time you may have to wait at centre. You can book online at: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119. The service is currently very busy but more appointments are being added all the time so please keep checking back if you can’t get an appointment as quickly as you would like.

Please do not contact your GP practice for an appointment or information on the booster rollout. Practices are working together to offer vaccinations and will contact patients when it is their turn or people can choose to book an appointment at a different centre through the National Booking Service.

In response to concerns about the new Omicron variant, the JCVI has recommended that booster vaccinations should be offered to all adults and that the gap between the second dose and booster is reduced to a minimum of 3 months. People who are severely immunosuppressed and have had their 3rd dose will also be offered a booster, a minimum of 3 months after their third dose.

These recommendations will come into effect from 13 December. As before, people will be prioritised according to age and risk, and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn for your booster.

If you are aged 40 or over or in an at risk group and had your second dose 6 months ago, you can book your booster now at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119. Otherwise, please wait to be contacted.

Please do not contact your GP practice for an appointment. Not all practices will be offering boosters so you will need to wait for an invitation or your age group to be announced before you can book your booster.

What is the COVID-19 booster programme?

Booster vaccines are an extra dose of a vaccine that is given to ‘boost’ the protection against a virus or disease in people who have already been vaccinated. The COVID-19 booster programme is providing an additional vaccine dose to the people most at risk from COVID-19 to ensure continued high levels of protection over the winter.

Why is the COVID-19 booster programme needed?

Like some other vaccines, protection levels from the Covid vaccines will reduce over time. Having reviewed the current data, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that COVID-19 boosters are offered to the people who are most likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 and those who care for them in order to provide maximum protection during the winter months. The boosters will help extend the protection people got from their first two doses and reduce the risk of them needing to be admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 this winter.

The flu vaccination programme is also now running which protects people from serious complications from getting flu, so we would encourage people who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster to also get their flu vaccination. More information on the flu vaccination is at www.nhs.uk/flujab

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine?

As recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), booster vaccinations are being offered to the people most at risk of COVID-19. These are people in the nine priority groups who were vaccinated in the first phase of the vaccination programme, including:

People who live and work in care homes for older adults
People aged 50 and over
Frontline health and social care workers
People aged 16 and over who are at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
People aged 16 and over with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk from COVID-19
People aged 16 and over who live with someone with a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed)
Unpaid carers aged 16 and over
Pregnant people in any of the above eligible groups.

From 22 November, people aged 40-49 will also be eligible for a booster.

People will need to have had their second dose of vaccine at least six months ago before they are offered a booster. This is to make sure people get the maximum protection from the booster.

How do I get my COVID-19 booster?

The NHS is contacting people when it is their turn for a booster but people can also book an appointment using the NHS National Booking Service as soon as they are eligible. People can now pre-book an appointment if it is five months since their second dose – the appointment will still be six months after their second dose but this will help people to book a convenient appointment for as soon as they become eligible.

Can I have my flu vaccine and Covid booster at the same time?

Yes, the evidence from the clinical trials showed that it is safe and effective to have these at the same time. However, it may not always be possible to get them together so you should have each vaccination as soon as it is offered rather than waiting to try to get them at the same time.

Which vaccines will be used for COVID-19 boosters?

In line with the advice from the JCVI, people will be given either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for their booster. This is because the evidence from the clinical trials on different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines showed that this type of vaccine (called an mRNA or ‘messenger’ vaccine gave the best results as a booster, no matter which type of vaccine people had before.

If you are not able to have either of these vaccines due to a severe allergy to any of their ingredients or another medical reason, it may be possible for you to have the AstraZeneca vaccine instead if you had this before but you will need to discuss this with a health professional first.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t have the booster vaccine?

There are very few people in the eligible groups who should not have a booster. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor.

Why aren’t most younger people being offered a booster?

The benefits of booster vaccination in this group will be considered at a later time when more information is available. In general, younger, healthy individuals are expected to generate stronger immune responses from vaccination compared to older individuals.

Will there be any side effects from the booster vaccine?

As with your previous dose the common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK, and include:

having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine
feeling tired
headache
general aches, or mild flu like symptoms

You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for 2 to 3 days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection.

Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111.

Can I have the booster if I haven’t completed the first vaccination course?

No, you need to finish the first course of your vaccination.

I haven’t yet had the COVID-19 vaccination, can I still get my first jabs?

Yes, you can still get your first or second vaccination if you haven’t had yours yet. Everyone aged 16 and over can book their vaccination using the online NHS booking service or by calling 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

Can I get the booster if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant and in one of the groups that the JCVI has recommended for the boosters, you are eligible to receive a booster, no earlier than six months after completion of the first course of vaccination. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn.

I am severely immunosuppressed. When will I get my booster?

The JCVI has recommended that people who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second Covid-19 vaccination should be offered a third dose of the vaccine. This is separate to the booster programme and is an extra ‘top-up’ dose in response to evidence showing that they may not have responded as well to the vaccine as others and will therefore have lower levels of protection against Covid-19. It includes people with leukaemia and advanced HIV and people who have had recent organ transplants.

Consultants have been asked to identify eligible patients and recommend when the best time would be for them to have their third dose. Patients are being contacted either by their consultant or GP to arrange their vaccination.

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having a booster?

The COVID-19 booster will increase your protection levels and reduce the chance of you suffering serious effects from the disease. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective – some people may still get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, but this should be less severe.

JVT

Clear that protection will wane over time, especially so in older adults and those with risk conditions

The waning signal, whilst smaller, is also beginning to show in 40-49s and without boosting I would not expect it to be static, I would expect it to increase so JCVI has again acted decisively and recommended that the booster programme is now extended to 40-49 year olds

Deputy chief medical officer for England Prof Jonathan Van-Tam said:

"If the booster programme is a success and we have very high uptake, we can massively reduce worry about hospitalisation and death this Christmas and this winter for millions of people. It is as simple and decisive as that."

Experts anticipate a booster would reduce the risk of death, or severe disease needing hospital care, by even more than the 93% cut to the chances of catching Covid.

And Prof Wei Shen Lim, from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said all adults under 40 "may well be" offered a booster dose eventually.

Concerns about the risk of heart inflammation, known as myocarditis, meant 16- and 17-year-olds were initially offered only one dose of a Covid vaccine.

But Dr Raine said the MHRA was "not detecting any increase in risk with the second dose" and young adults should now "come forward for their second dose".

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57273875

This information was last updated on: 17 November 2021

About the vaccines

How do the vaccines work?

Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to fight the virus.

The vaccines work by making a protein from the virus that is important for creating protection. The protein stimulates the immune system to make antibodies and cells to fight the infection.

The components of the vaccine leave the body within a few days. The vaccines will not alter your DNA or genetic material.

Do the vaccines include any ingredients of animal or foetal origin?

There are no animal or foetal products in any of the approved COVID-19 vaccines. The ingredients are published as part of the approval process and are available at:

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19
Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca
Moderna vaccine: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-moderna

Leaders from Muslim, Hindu and Jewish faiths have all said that the vaccines are suitable for people of their religions and people shouldn’t hesitate to get them.

Are the vaccines safe?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety and effectiveness.

They have been approved by an independent body (The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), which follows international standards of safety, and have gone through all the same clinical trials and safety checks that all other licensed medicines have to complete before they can be used.

The vaccines have been thoroughly tested and no safety concerns were seen in studies of more than 20,000 people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds. So far, millions of people have had a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions or clotting problems, have been very rare.

I am worried that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine might cause blood clots – should I still have it?

The UK’s independent regulator, the MHRA, is monitoring reports of an extremely rare blood clotting problem affecting a small number of people who have had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. The problem can also happen in people who have not been vaccinated and it's not yet clear why it affects some people.

Both the MHRA and Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI) have emphasised that the risk is extremely small – just over 10 people in every million have developed this condition - and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people.

If you are aged 40 or over or have a health condition that puts you at greater risk from COVID-19, you should still have whichever vaccine is offered to you. The benefits of the vaccine in preventing you becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19 outweigh any risk of clotting problems.

For people under 40 without any health conditions, the JCVI has advised that it's preferable to have alternative COVID-19 vaccine where available and where this will not cause delays to people having the vaccine. This is a precautionary measure, which takes into account that this rare condition is seen more often in younger people and that the risks from COVID-19 decrease with age. Similarly, if you had AstraZeneca for your first dose you should also have this for your second vaccination, whatever your age, unless you experienced this very rare clotting after your first dose.

Are the vaccines safe for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities?

The trials demonstrated that the vaccines are consistently safe and effective across different ethnic groups.

For the Pfizer trial, participants included 9.6% black/African, 26.1% Hispanic/Latino and 3.4% Asian. For the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine 10.1% of trail recipients were Black and 3.5% Asian. Full details are available in the Public Assessment Reports, which contain all the scientific information about the trials and information on trial participants. These can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca/summary-of-the-public-assessment-report-for-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-moderna/summary-of-the-public-assessment-report-for-covid-19-vaccine-moderna

How were the vaccines developed so quickly?

The main reason that the vaccines were developed so quickly is that finding a vaccine for COVID-19 was a worldwide priority. Funding was made available very quickly and scientists across the world have worked together to develop the vaccines, which has meant they were able to complete years of work in months.

Similarly, thousands of people across the world volunteered to take part in the clinical trials, whereas it usually takes a long time to find enough volunteers for a vaccine trial.

The other factor was that all the different bodies involved in checking the safety of the vaccines worked together so this could happen as quickly as possible and sped up the administrative processes, which can often take several years. For example, usually the different phases of the clinical trials take place one after another but for the covid-19 vaccine, some of them ran at the same time to speed up the process.

Can the vaccines make you ill?

You can’t get COVID-19 from having the vaccine. As with flu, it is possible to have caught COVID-19 and not realise you have the symptoms until after your vaccination appointment but the vaccine cannot give you the virus.

Are there any side effects?

Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are mild and short term, and not everyone gets them. Very common side effects include:

having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1-2 days after the vaccine
feeling tired
headache
general aches, or mild flu like symptoms

These tend to happen in the first couple of days after the vaccination and last a few days. You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help you feel better. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111 or your GP practice.

You should call 111 immediately if you get any of these symptoms starting from around 4 days to 4 weeks after being vaccinated:

a severe headache that is not relieved with painkillers or is getting worse
a headache that feels worse when you lie down or bend over
a headache that's unusual for you and occurs with blurred vision, feeling or being sick, problems speaking, weakness, drowsiness or seizures (fits)
a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin
shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal (tummy) pain

Can the vaccines affect your fertility?

Medical experts agree that it is not possible for the vaccines to affect fertility. Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to fight the disease. They do not have any ingredients that would affect fertility and the components leave the body within a few days.

Can I have the vaccine during Ramadan/does the vaccine invalidate fasting?

The British Islamic Medical Association have issued specific advice urging Muslims observing Ramadan not to delay getting the vaccine, drawing on analysis from Islamic scholars which says that injections for non-nutritional purposes do not invalidate the fast

Further information is available here: https://britishima.org/operation-vaccination/hub/statements/#FAST

Are there any people who shouldn’t have the vaccine?

You should not have the COVID-19 vaccine if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the same vaccine or any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Clinicians will discuss this with people before vaccinating them.

Can I have the vaccine if I’m pregnant?

The Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations has advised that pregnant women should be offered COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as people of the same age or risk group. They have said it is preferable for pregnant women to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine where available because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and no safety concerns have been identified. There is no evidence to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women but more research is needed.

You should speak to a healthcare professional before you have the vaccination to discuss the benefits and risks with you. You should also read the COVID-19 leaflet for childbearing, pregnant or breastfeeding women www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19- vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant- planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding

Can I have the vaccine if I am breastfeeding?

The Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations has recommended that the vaccines can be given to women who are breastfeeding as there are no known risks to them or their baby. This is in line with recommendations from the World Health Organisation.

Is it safe to try to get pregnant after having the vaccine?

Yes. There is no need for women to delay pregnancy after having the vaccination.

How many doses of the vaccine do I need and when?

Both vaccines require two doses to give the maximum amount of protection. The second dose should be given between 8 and 12 weeks after your first dose of the vaccine.

In response to the rising number of cases of the Delta variant, second doses are currently being brought forward to 8 weeks for all adults. This is to ensure everyone has the strongest possible protection from the Delta variant of the virus at the earliest opportunity possible and builds on the earlier JCVI recommendation that second doses for people at greatest risk from Covid-19 should be brought forward to 8 weeks.

Why do I need two vaccinations?

The evidence from the clinical trials showed that people build up better protection against COVID-19 symptoms when the vaccine is given in two, smaller doses, with an interval between them.

Evidence shows that the second dose not only increases your protection against Covid but gives you longer-lasting protection so it is very important that you have both doses. Covid-19 can make you very seriously ill and have long-term effects on your health so getting the maximum protection possible will give you the best chance of avoiding this. For example, having two doses has been shown to be over 90% effective in preventing hospitalisation.

How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?

The vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at stopping people from becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. Latest evidence also suggests that they help to prevent the virus spreading. The most recent analysis by Public Health England found that the vaccines have prevented between 26,000 and 28,000 deaths in England alone and between 6.4 and 7.9 million infections.

How long do the vaccines take to work?

Protection starts around seven days after your first dose. To get the maximum amount of protection, people need to have their second dose. Full protection takes effect around a week or two after the second dose.

How long will my vaccine be effective for?

We expect these vaccines to work for at least a year – if not longer - but this will be constantly monitored.

Which vaccine will I get?

The UK is currently using the PfizerBioNTech, OxfordAstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines. If you are under 40 or pregnant, you will have either Pfizer or Moderna. If you are 40 or over, or have a health condition that puts you at greater risk from Covid-19, you will be given whichever vaccine is available at the time of your appointment.

Can people pick which vaccine they want?

No. The healthcare professional vaccinating you will have to use the vaccine that is available at the time of your appointment.

Is one vaccine better than the other?

All the approved vaccines have been shown to be safe and highly effective. No trials have been carried out to compare the vaccines: the important thing is that they will both protect you from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

Why have second doses been brought forward?

Second doses are now being brought forward to 8 weeks for all adults, following the rising number of cases of the Delta variant. Evidence has shown that the second dose is particularly important for providing protection against this variant so bringing these forward will ensure everyone has the strongest possible protection from the Delta variant of the virus at the earliest opportunity possible.

What if I have an allergic reaction?

The vaccines are safe and effective for the vast majority of people – they have been tested on tens of thousands of people and assessed by experts.

Anyone with a history of a severe allergy to any of the ingredients or who has had an allergic reaction to the same vaccine before should not have the vaccine. Everybody will be screened for potential allergic reactions before getting vaccinated. Serious allergic reactions are rare. If you do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately, and all centres will be equipped to care for people who need it – just like with any other vaccine.

Eligibility and priority groups

How were people prioritised for vaccinations?

The Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI) set out detailed guidance for the order in which people should be vaccinated based on preventing death from COVID-19 and the need to protect health and social care staff and systems.

Nine groups were prioritised to receive the vaccines, including care home residents and staff, people aged 50 years of age and over, people who are at increased risk from COVID-19 due to a health condition and frontline health and social care staff. Everyone in thee groups was offered a vaccination by the middle of April 2021.

The second phase of the vaccine rollout is to people under 50. The JCVI recommended that the rollout should continue to be prioritised by age, with people invited in the following order:

40-49 year olds
30-39 year olds
18-29 year olds

I’ve been added to the Shielded Patients list, when will I get my vaccination?

If you have received a letter to say you have been added to the Shielded Patients list, you should have already been contacted to book an appointment. If not you can book online using the National Booking Service or contact your GP.

I have a health condition which puts me at greater risk from Covid-19, when will I get my vaccination?

If you have a health condition that puts you at increased risk from COVID-19, you should have already been contacted to book an appointment. If not, please contact your GP practice.

Which conditions are included in cohort 6?

The JCVI guidance recommends that people with the following conditions should be included in cohort 6:

chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and severe asthma
chronic heart disease (and vascular disease)
chronic kidney disease
chronic liver disease
chronic neurological disease including epilepsy
Down’s syndrome
people with a learning disability
diabetes
solid organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients
people with specific cancers
immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
asplenia and splenic dysfunction
morbid obesity
severe mental illness

If you have one of these conditions and meet the criteria for a vaccination, your GP should have contacted you to make an appointment.

I am an unpaid carer – am I eligible for a vaccination?

People who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person were included in cohort 6. If you receive Carer’s Allowance, you can book an appointment using the National Booking Service or if you are registered as a carer with your GP practice, they should have contacted you to offer you a vaccination.

If a household has a priority group member, such as a vulnerable person, will everyone living in that household be vaccinated together?  

No. The Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI) recommendations do not include household members of clinically vulnerable people automatically – although in some cases family members may be eligible in their own right or as carers.

They have however recently updated their guidance to advise that people over 16 who

are living with an adult who has a weakened immune systems, such as those with blood cancer, HIV or those on immunosuppressive treatment should be prioritised for the vaccine.

Why haven’t I been offered an appointment when people younger than me / in a lower priority group have?

All GP practices are following the national directives on inviting cohorts. However, practices will have different numbers of patients in each cohort so there will be some variance in when people from different practices are offered their vaccination. It is also important to remember that age is not the only eligibility criteria: vaccinations are being offered to people of all ages who are clinically extremely vulnerable or have a health condition that puts them at increased risk from COVID-19.

Getting your vaccination

How can I get a vaccination?

There are a range of vaccination services available including services run by local GPs and pharmacies, large-scale vaccination centres and pop-up clinics in local communities. You can book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccine or visit your local clinical commissioning group website for details of walk-in services near you.

Can you walk in to any of the services to get a vaccination?

Some of the vaccination services now offer walk-in appointments as well as bookable appointments, and there are also a variety of pop-up walk-in services in local communities. Details of times and services are available on local clinical commissioning group websites.

Can people get a vaccine without their NHS number or if they aren’t registered with a GP?

Yes. Anyone can get a vaccine, even if they do not have an NHS number or are not registered with a GP. The simplest way to do this is to go one of the walk-in vaccination services – details are available on local NHS and council websites.

Although you don’t need to be registered with a GP to get your vaccination, this is important to make sure you get healthcare when you need it. You will also be invited for other vaccinations and important health checks to keep you well. Details of how to do this are available at: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/

How will I get my second vaccination?

You will be given your second vaccination 8-12 weeks after your first one.

If you had your first vaccination at your local GP centre, you will be contacted by your practice when it is time to have your second dose.

If you booked your first vaccination through the National Booking Service, you will have made your second appointment at the same time. If you need to check when this is or make any changes you can do this online or by calling 119.

If you had your first dose at a walk-in service, you can book your second appointment through the National Booking Service. This can be done from 24 hours after your first vaccination, once your record will have been updated.

Can I get a vaccine privately?

No. Vaccinations are only available through the NHS and are free of charge. If anyone claims to be able to provide you with a vaccine for a fee, they are likely to be committing a crime and should be reported to the Police online or by calling 101.

Remember:

The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.
The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.

The NHS National Booking Service

What are the operating hours of the telephone booking service?

The telephone booking service will be open 16 hours a day (from 7am until 11pm), seven days a week. People will also be able to book online 24/7.

What should people do if they can’t get through to the phone line straight away?

At times, due to high demand, the phone line will get very busy, which may mean waiting on the line for a while or calling back later. People can alternatively book online. If you need help to do this please ask someone in your support bubble.

What information will I need to book?

You will need to provide your name, date of birth, postcode and ideally your NHS number, which will be included on your booking letter. If you have lost your letter or don’t have your NHS number, you may need to provide the name and postcode/postcode of the GP practice you are registered with.

Does the National Booking Service work for people who don’t understand English well or are deaf?

The phone line has interpreters and a BSL facility available on request to help you book your appointments.

What if I book an appointment through the NHS website or 119 and I need to rearrange it?

If you need to rearrange an appointment that you booked through the NHS website, you can do this through the ‘manage your appointments’ section on the booking page. If you booked through 119, you can also ring to rearrange your appointment.

If you can’t attend your appointment for any reason, please cancel or rearrange it so that the appointment slot can be given to someone else who needs it.

Can I still book if I previously had an appointment but didn’t attend or cancel it?

Yes. The service will allow anyone who is eligible and has not already had a vaccination to book an appointment.

I’ve received a letter but someone I live who is the same age hasn’t yet. Can we get vaccinated together?

The NHS is inviting eligible people in a phased basis as supplies of the vaccine allow. If you have received a letter and live with someone who is also eligible but has not received a letter, it is likely that theirs will follow shortly. If you like you can wait and book at the same time.

How is the service ensuring people don’t fraudulently book an appointment?

People will be asked to provide details of their identity at the time of booking, when they arrive for their appointment and before they are vaccinated.