Guidance

A guide to the COVID-19 autumn vaccination

Updated 16 September 2024

Applies to England

A guide to the COVID-19 autumn vaccination

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine will be offered from October to people aged 65 and over, residents in care homes for older people and anyone aged 6 months and over in a clinical risk group to protect them ahead of winter. Appointments will be available to book from late September.

Who is being offered COVID-19 vaccination?

COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. This winter it is expected that many respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and flu may be circulating at high levels – this may put increasing pressure on hospitals and other health care services.

For these reasons, people aged 65 years and over, those in older adult care homes, and those aged 6 months and over in clinical risk groups are being offered a COVID-19 vaccine from October.

The vaccination programme is targeted at those at high risk of the complications of COVID-19 infection, who may have not been vaccinated for a few months. As the number of COVID-19 infections may increase over the winter, this should help to reduce your risk of being admitted to hospital with COVID-19. The vaccine may also provide some protection against mild COVID-19 infection but such protection does not last for long.

Timing of your vaccination

You should be offered an appointment between October and December, with those at highest risk being called in first. You should have your vaccine at least 3 months after your last one. If you are eligible for a flu vaccine, you may be able to have them at the same time – or you can have them separately.

Which vaccine is being offered?

You will be given a vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna. These vaccines are updated forms of the vaccines used in previous campaigns and produce slightly higher levels of antibody against some strains of Omicron.

As we cannot predict which variants of COVID-19 will be circulating this winter, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have concluded that both of these updated vaccines can be used in adults.

So you will be offered the right vaccine for you at the right time.

Who cannot take up the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine

There are very few people who should not have this vaccine. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous COVID-19 vaccination you should discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

Common side effects

The common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines, including the vaccines being used this autumn, 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 you feel better.

Although a fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and you may need to have a test. 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 or for textphone use 18001 111. You can also report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. See end of the page for details.

Serious side effects:

Cases of inflammation of the heart (called myocarditis or pericarditis) have been reported very rarely after both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men and within several days of vaccination. Most of the people affected have felt better and recovered quickly following rest and simple treatments. You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart

If you had serious side effects after any previous COVID-19 vaccination you may be advised to avoid or delay further vaccination. You should discuss this with your doctor or specialist. Please see the end of the page to see how to report side effects.

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccine will reduce the chance of you becoming severely unwell from COVID-19 this winter. It may take a few days for your body to build up some extra protection from the vaccine. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective – some people may still get COVID-19 illness despite having a vaccination, but any infection should be less severe.

If you have not had all your vaccinations

If you have not been vaccinated before or if you missed a previous offer you should still go ahead – you will not need to have any additional vaccinations.

If you have a COVID-19 positive result, when can you have your vaccination?

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. There is no need to wait after having had COVID-19, provided you are well. You should not attend a vaccine appointment if you think you could be infectious to others.

Reporting side effects

Suspected side effects can be reported to the Yellow Card scheme:

• online at Yellow Card Scheme

• calling 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

• downloading and using the Yellow Card app for Apple devices or Android devices

Further information

You can read the COVID-19 guides below for more information:

• COVID-19 vaccination: women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• COVID-19 vaccinations – a guide for people with a weakened immune system
• What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination leaflet

Visit Coronavirus vaccination on NHS.UK.

Read the product information leaflets for the UK recipients of the Pfizer, or Moderna vaccines for more details on your vaccine, including possible side effects.