Who can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

People in the groups below can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

If you have not booked your appointments yet, you're still eligible and can book anytime.

People aged 16 and 17

You can get your 1st dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if you're aged 16 or 17.

The NHS will contact you when it's your turn to get the vaccine. You'll be invited to a local NHS service such as a GP surgery.

You cannot book your appointment online.

Find out how you'll be contacted for your COVID-19 vaccination

People aged 18 and over

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine if you're aged 18 or over.

You can book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now, or wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.

Some children aged 12 to 15

Children aged 12 to 15 can get vaccinated against COVID-19 if either:

• they live with someone who is more likely to get infections (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 from COVID-19

Conditions that mean your child may be at high risk and can get vaccinated 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 your child is eligible for vaccination, you'll be contacted by a local NHS service such as their GP surgery to arrange their appointments.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people on GOV.UK

People at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)

People at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable), can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you're at high risk, you will have had a letter from the NHS saying you're clinically extremely vulnerable.

If you've had this letter, you can book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now, or wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.

People with other conditions that put them at higher risk

People with certain other health conditions are at high risk and can get the COVID-19 vaccine (as well as people who are clinically extremely vulnerable).

These conditions include:

• long-term lung conditions (such as severe asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis)
• long-term conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels (such as congenital heart disease, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease)
• diabetes
• chronic kidney disease
• long-term liver conditions (such as cirrhosis and hepatitis)
• conditions affecting the brain or nerves (such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, cerebral palsy or stroke)
• learning disabilities
• a condition or treatment that makes you more likely to get infections (such as HIV or some treatments for lupus, psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis)
• severe mental conditions (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder)
• severe obesity (a BMI of 40 or above)

If you have a condition that means you can get the COVID-19 vaccine, the NHS will contact you to arrange your vaccination appointments.

You can also book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now if you would like to.

Carers

You may be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine if any of the following apply:

• you are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
• your GP record shows you are a carer
• you get a Carer's Allowance or other support following an assessment by your local authority

You may be able to book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy.

If you think you should be eligible as a carer but you cannot book an appointment online, speak to your GP surgery. Your GP may be able to update your GP record and book an appointment for you at a local NHS service.

People who live and work in care homes

Anyone who lives or works in a care home can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Contact your care home manager about getting vaccinated.

Frontline health workers

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're a health worker who has direct contact with people at higher risk from COVID-19.

For example:

• you work in a clinical role (such as a doctor or nurse)
• you have contact in a non-clinical role (such as a receptionist or porter)
• you work in a hospital laboratory, mortuary or a funeral home

You can book your appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy, or contact your employer about getting vaccinated.

Frontline social care workers

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine if you're a social care worker who provides face-to-face care or support to children or adults at higher risk from COVID-19.

For example:

• you are a registered professional in social care (such as a social worker or nurse)
• you work in residential care, nursing care or in supported living
• you provide personal care for people in their homes

You are not currently eligible if you care for children who are not at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable), for example as a childminder or nursery nurse.

You can book your appointments at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy, or contact your employer about getting vaccinated.