Booster vaccinations

Please note your COVID-19 Vaccination does not protect you against flu, for information regarding your flu vaccination visit our Flu Vaccination webpage.

Eligibility

A booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine helps improve the protection you have from your first 2 doses of the vaccine. 

It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Everyone aged 16 and over who had a 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago can get a booster dose.

Some children aged 12 to 15 are eligible for a booster dose if either:

  • they live with someone who has a weakened immune system (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
  • they have a condition that means they’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19

Conditions that mean they may be at high risk are:

  • a severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
  • Down’s syndrome
  • severe or multiple learning disabilities (or they’re on the learning disability register)
  • a condition that means they’re more likely to get infections (such as some genetic conditions or types of cancer)

If you had a 3rd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because you have or had a weakened immune system, you can get a booster dose from 3 months after your 3rd dose.

For information on the Spring Booster programme for those aged 75+ or immunosuppressed, please see our Spring Booster vaccination webpage. 

How and when to get your COVID-19 booster

If you’re eligible, you can get a booster dose at least 3 months after you had your 2nd dose.

If you’re aged 16 or over you can:

  • book a vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
  • go to a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
  • wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery and book an appointment with them
  • Eligible children aged 12 to 15 can go to a walk-in vaccination site or wait to be contacted by a local NHS service.

Note:

If you had a 3rd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because you have or had a weakened immune system, your GP or hospital specialist will invite you for your booster dose when it’s due.

If you have a letter from your GP or hospital specialist inviting you for your 3rd dose, you can get your booster at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site. You’ll need to bring your letter with you.

Book your vaccination appointment online

You can pre-book your booster dose online if you’re aged 16 or over and it’s been 2 months (61 days) since you had your 2nd dose.

You’ll be offered appointment dates from 3 months after the date of your 2nd dose.

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.

Booster doses for immunosuppressed individuals

A third dose and additional booster dose (4th dose) of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a severely weakened immune system.

The third primary dose is an extra ‘top-up’ vaccination given 8 weeks after your second dose. The third dose will help to increase the level of protection for people who may not have generated a full immune response to the first two doses and might be less protected than the wider population.

A third dose is different from a booster dose.  A booster dose is a later dose to extend the duration of protection from the primary course of vaccinations.

If you are eligible for a third primary dose, you may also become eligible for an additional booster dose (4th dose) three months (91 days) after your second dose.  

Please see our third dose Covid-19 vaccination webpage for more information and eligibility criteria.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I know I am eligible for a booster but haven't received an invite yet?

If you think you're eligible for a booster dose and it's been more than 3 months since your 2nd dose, please call the booking helpline on 119.

Information on Covid-19 Vaccination clinics in Surrey

Vaccination services are running in a number of community locations. 

You can find out more, including details of locations and availability of walk-in vaccination clinics with no appointments required on our Covid-19 vaccination centres page.

Covid-19 Vaccination resources

For a range of helpful resources, including information in community languages, research, videos and much more, visit our Covid-19 vaccination resources page.

A series of resources specific to booster vaccinations can be found on the gov.uk website.