Only three groups of people are now eligible for a Covid booster jab, as pharmacists across England are reporting widespread confusion over eligibility. Recent changes to who can get a free vaccine on the NHS have resulted in people being turned away.
The COVID-19 vaccine is given to help protect against COVID-19, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness for some people.
It’s typically offered on the NHS in spring and early winter to people who need extra protection from COVID-19.
Last year the jab was offered for free to anyone 65 years old and over and those with a long list of chronic or long-term conditions.
However, this year the criteria changed meaning fewer people were eligible.
The full list of who can get the booster this year includes people who:
- Are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by January 31, 2026)
- Are aged six months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- Live in a care home for older adults
Due to the confusion, between a third and a half of people who turn up for their appointment are having to be turned away at many sites, according to Community Pharmacy England (CPE). Speaking to the BBC, CPE director of NHS services Alastair Buxton said it had become clear within an hour of the NHS website booking system going live last week that there was an issue.
He said that many people seemed to miss the information about eligibility on the booking system and made the assumption they were still eligible. They were then showing up for their Covid and flu jabs to be told they could only have the latter.
He said: “That obviously takes a lot of explaining to patients. It causes upset, concern and maybe anger for some patients.
“We’ve certainly had examples of some patients becoming abusive with pharmacy team members.”
Why were the changes made
The alterations to who can get the jab were made following guidance from an independent panel of specialists known as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Previously, the vaccination was available at no cost to anyone aged 65 and above, as well as those suffering from an extensive range of chronic or ongoing health conditions.
This has now been amended, with the age threshold increased to include all individuals who reach 75 before January 2026, alongside residents living in care facilities for elderly people and those classified as having compromised immune systems.
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This includes those receiving certain cancer treatments and organ transplant recipients, as well as people living with HIV and particular genetic conditions. However, also this means numerous individuals with ailments including diabetes, cardiac disease, breathing problems, asthma and serious mental health issues will no longer be eligible.
Additionally, expectant mothers and frontline healthcare and social care staff will not receive the vaccination free of charge this autumn.
The JCVI stated that Covid has become a “relatively mild disease for most people”, with hospital admission and mortality rates having “reduced significantly”.
How to book
If you’re eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or in the NHS App (if you’re aged five years or over)
- Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without an appointment (if you’re aged five years or over)
Some people may be able to get vaccinated at a local service, such as a community pharmacy or a GP surgery, or at a care home if they live in a care home.
