COVID-19 and flu vaccinations

The spring 2025 COVID-19 booster programme runs from 1 April to 17 June 2025.

The eligibility criteria is the same as for spring 2024:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system

Eligibility is the same across the 4 nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

While having your spring vaccine around 6 months after your last dose is the usual timeframe, you can have it as soon as 3 months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose. If you are eligible, you can get protection from a spring COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past. Most people do not need extra vaccinations to make up for any they have missed, but your doctor may advise a further dose if you have a severely weakened immune system.

Those with a weakened immune system

We understand that having a weakened immune system (immunosuppression) is a lot less straightforward than the other criteria. Looking online can cause even more confusion, as people might see themselves (and be considered by others) as immunosuppressed but might not fit the immunosuppression criteria for vaccination.

Eligibility is outlined in Chapter 14a of the Green Book, a document published by UKHSA specifically for public health professionals. It can be a complicated document for non-experts, so we've listed some of the groups here:

• organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant patients
• those being treated with systemic steroids for more than a month
• those living with HIV
• those receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy, including children who are about to receive therapy
• those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• those who require long-term treatment for immunosuppression
• those with a history of haematological malignancy including chronic leukaemia, lymphomas, and leukaemia
• those with genetic disorders affecting the immune system

While this list summarises some major groups, it does not cover everything. More details can be found on the NHS website.

You can book an appointment using the National Booking System. 

You don't need to wait to be contacted. If you or someone you know can’t get online, book by calling 119 free of charge, where a translator is available if needed.

It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up the offer this spring before the vaccination programme closes on 17 June 2025.

19 pharmacies in the borough are offering the COVID-19 booster vaccine this spring.

• Rosewood Pharmacy, E4 7BH
• Kingshead Chemist, E4 7PA
• Pyramid Pharmacy, E4 8LP
• Mount Pharmacy, E4 9AA
• Borno Chemists, E4 9BW
• Well Pharmacy (Highams Park), E4 9LD
• Leyton Orient Pharmacy, E10 5NF
• Leyton Pharmacy, E10 6PP
• Anji's Pharmacy, E10 7LA
• Safedale, E15 1UA
• Well Pharmacy (Wood Street), E17 3LX
• Sanchoh Limited, E17 4PP
• Higham Hill Pharmacy, E17 5RQ
• Well Pharmacy (Walthamstow High Street), E17 7AD
• Michael Franklin Chemists, E17 7PJ
• Britannia Pharmacy, E17 8PX
• Medicos Pharmacy, E17 9AP
• Grove Pharmacy, E17 9BU
• Leyton Green Pharmacy, E17 9DN

While booking an appointment is preferred, walk-ins are available at some pharmacies. A calendar of local events where you can get a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination is also available.

The NHS may be offering COVID-19 vaccinations for children with certain medical conditions aged 6 months to 4 years.

For most children COVID-19 is mild, but infants and young children with certain conditions can become very unwell and need hospital treatment (they are over seven times more likely to be admitted to intensive care). Vaccination will help to protect your child from getting seriously ill from Covid-19.

The dose for each vaccination is smaller than the dose given to those aged over 5 years old. Your child will be offered two vaccinations at least 8 weeks apart to boost their immunity and provide longer-term protection.

If your child is eligible you will be contacted by your GP and invited to come in for a vaccination.

Read the vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more information about the vaccine and why it's important by viewing the NHS' guide for parents of children 6 months to 11 years of age at high risk

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter.

You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over
• have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Vaccination against flu is safe and effective: it is the single best way to protect yourself and others against it. This is particularly important if you have a weakened immune system. It's important you get your flu vaccination if you're eligible.

The NHS will let you know in autumn or early winter when you can get your flu vaccine.

• NHS - COVID-19 Vaccination
• NHS - COVID-19 Vaccination side effects and safety
• My Vaccine story website page
• GOV.UK Guidance on living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19
• Translated Covid-19 vaccine information (Doctors of the World)
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility, and COVID-19 vaccination
• COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy, and breastfeeding FAQs