Covid Booster Vaccines: What You Need To Know | BHF

What's on this page

Book a Covid-19 vaccine

• Who is eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine booster?
• How do I book a Covid-19 vaccine booster?
• What are the different types of Covid-19 vaccine?
• How long after Covid-19 can I get a vaccine booster?

Safety and effectiveness

• Are Covid-19 vaccines safe?
• Do Covid-19 vaccines work?
• Can Covid-19 vaccines prevent heart problems?
• How long does a Covid-19 vaccine last?

Side effects

• What are Covid-19 vaccine side effects?
• What are Covid-19 vaccine heart side effects?

Book a Covid-19 vaccine

The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19. 

That’s why people at higher risk, such as older people and those with certain health conditions, may be offered another dose of the vaccine as part of the NHS seasonal Covid-19 vaccine programme.

This includes:

• adults aged 75 and over (or turning 75 by 31 January 2026)
• people aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system (immunosuppression) 
• people who live in a care home for older adults.

You can find a full list of who will be offered the most recent booster on page 30 of the Covid-19 section of the Immunisation Green Book.

The Covid-19 virus is constantly changing. This means that even if you’ve had the vaccine before, your level of immunity is likely to be weaker than it was last year.

Because of this, the NHS encourages people who are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine to top up their protection as soon as possible.

How do I book a Covid-19 vaccine booster?

The NHS Covid-19 vaccine programme is now open until 31 January 2026.

If you’re in a group being offered the vaccine you will likely get a text reminder from the NHS.

You will be able to book your booster by:

• going online
• calling 119 in England or 0800 030 8013 in Scotland
• going to a walk-in vaccination site
• booking on the NHS App
• talking to your GP surgery or other local NHS services 
• talking to your care home. 

What are the different types of Covid-19 vaccine? 

Pfizer's Comirnaty and Moderna's Spikevax vaccines are currently the 2 types of vaccines offered in the UK.

They are both mRNA vaccines and have been updated to provide slightly higher levels of protection against more recent strains of Covid-19.

Most people only need 1 dose of the booster vaccine.

How long after Covid-19 can I get a vaccine booster?

You do not have to wait to get the vaccine if you’ve recently had Covid-19.

However, if you currently have Covid-19, a fever or feel unwell because of another illness, the NHS advises you to wait until you have fully recovered before getting the booster.