Covid Vaccine Q&A

The new rules

We strongly recommend that CLL patients receive all Covid booster vaccinations unless your medical team advise otherwise.

Autumn boosters 2023 (called Winter booster in Scotland)

The UK government has confirmed there will be an Autumn 2023 booster campaign. It is expected that these boosters will also be available through the early part of 2024.

Those eligible for an Autumn 2023 booster are:

all adults aged 65 years and over.
residents in a care home for older adults.
people aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book(this includes people with blood cancer and people with a history of blood cancer).
people aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression.
frontline health and social care workers.
people aged 16 to 64 who are carers, and staff working in care homes for older adults.

How to get your covid vaccination booster

England – You can book a booster online on the NHS website, through the NHS app or at a walk-in vaccination site. If you cannot book online or through the app, you can call 119 free of charge to book. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service. You might also be invited to get a vaccine by your GP surgery, but you do not have to wait for an invitation to book. You may be offered a flu vaccine at the same time as your covid booster.

Scotland – Invitations to book covid and flu boosters are being sent to eligible groups now. You may get a letter, email or text. Over 50s can receive a flu jab in Scotland, compared to only over 65s in England.

Wales – Vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 are being rolled out to over 65s, at risk groups and those working or living with vulnerable people. You should receive an invitation from your local health board.

Northern Ireland – Eligible groups can get their covid and flu boosters from their GP surgery or community pharmacy. Contact your GP surgery or community pharmacy to check what arrangements they have made for vaccinations. Find a vaccination clinic.