Who’s eligible for the 2026 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Spring Booster’? 

As we move into spring, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. 

For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the spring to top up their protection. This was previously known as the ‘Spring Booster’. 

UKHSA surveillance data relating to last spring’s programme shows that those who received a vaccine were around 55% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in the 5 to 9 weeks following vaccination, compared to those who remained unvaccinated. 

Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination this spring 

 The eligibility criteria is the same as for spring 2025: 

adults aged 75 years and over (by 30 June 2026)  residents in a care home for older adults  individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system 

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

Age-based criteria 

Those who are aged 75 and over can come forward to top up their protection this spring. If you are 74 but turn 75 years old by 30 June 2026, you don’t have to wait for your birthday to come forward. 

Eligibility for residents and staff in care homes 

Those who are resident in care homes for older adults are also eligible. Carers and staff in care homes are not eligible, this is because the vaccination programme this spring is targeted towards providing protection to those most vulnerable to severe disease. 

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. 

So, what are the immunosuppression criteria? Eligibility is outlined in the COVID-19 chapter 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. Please check if you are eligible online. 

Booking the spring COVID-19 vaccine 

The NHS will invite you to come forward but you do not need to wait for this, if you are eligible book as soon as possible. The National Booking System opened on 7 April to book appointments from 13 April. If you or someone you know can’t get online, book by calling 119 free of charge, where a translator is available if needed. Last appointments will be on 30 June 2026, with the last day to book on 29 June.  

Getting your COVID-19 vaccine is very convenient, with thousands of appointments available across the country every day, usually at pharmacies and GP practices. 

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. 

It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up the offer this spring before the vaccination programme closes on 30 June 2026. 

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/04/07/whos-eligible-for-the-2026-covid-19-vaccine-or-spring-booster/

seen at 14:56, 7 April in UK Health Security Agency.