Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccinations in our Frequently Asked Questions below.

  • Where will I receive my vaccine?
    Once invited, you can find your nearest vaccination site when you book using the National Booking Service or by calling 119. You are most likely to be offered your vaccine at a community pharmacy or at a local GP practice.
  • I do not respond well to vaccines. Why is it important to continue to get vaccinated?
    If you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment, COVID-19 may affect you more seriously.

    Even though you might not develop full immunity, you may continue to develop some cellular immunity, so even a limited response to a further dose should help to reduce your risk of being severely ill or admitted to hospital if you catch COVID-19. Repeated vaccinations will gradually improve and maintain your level of antibodies and enhance the other parts of your immune system that protect you from COVID-19 infection.

  • Do I need to show evidence that I have a weakened immune system?
    If you’re aged under 50, it can help if you bring your invitation, an NHS letter describing your condition or treatment, or a repeat prescription slip or medicine box with a recent date and your name on it. If you don’t have any of these things, you should still be able to get vaccinated, but you may need to speak to a healthcare professional first.
  • People I live with would like to get a further dose. Are they eligible?
    Yes. Any household contacts aged 5 years and over can get the COVID-19 vaccine this autumn if they live with someone with a weakened immune system. Household contacts are people who share living accommodation on most days.

    They are not required to bring evidence to their vaccination appointment, but it could help to bring a copy of the NHS invitation sent to the person they live with who has a weakened immune system.

  • What will I be offered if I’m allergic to COVID-19 mRNA bivalent vaccines?

    In rare cases where individuals have severe allergic reactions to mRNA bivalent vaccines, local vaccination services will direct or refer you to specialist clinics where you may be offered Nuvaxovid as an alternative to mRNA vaccines. This will be in exceptional circumstances, where clinically appropriate.

    Referrals to specialist clinics are unlikely to be necessary for those with mild or common allergies following vaccination, such as a rash, wheezing or hives, or for those who have previously tolerated an mRNA vaccine.  Please be aware that upon further assessment at a specialist clinic, you may be advised that you can safely tolerate an mRNA vaccine.  A referral to a specialist clinic does not guarantee that you will be offered Nuvaxovid.

  • Is it safe to get so many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine?
    COVID-19 vaccination is safe and has been approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which regulates safety, and recommended by the JCVI. The vaccines used by the NHS have been rigorously tested and many millions of doses have been given across the UK and the world, with continued monitoring of safety.
  • I was previously advised to get an Astra Zeneca vaccine. Where can I get this?

    The JCVI has published its advice on which vaccines should be used in this year’s autumn booster programme. Astra Zeneca is not being used from September 2022. Nuvaxovid is a non mRNA vaccine that has been approved for use as an alternative, where clinically appropriate.

    Many people who were advised to have an AstraZeneca vaccine can safely receive mRNA vaccines and do not need Nuvaxovid.  This is because advice to have an AstraZeneca vaccine, based on previous allergy history or symptoms after mRNA vaccination, has been reviewed.  It is estimated that less than one percent (1%) of people will need a Nuvaxovid vaccine.

  • Do I need to receive the same type of vaccine or booster as my previous ones?
    No, all COVID-19 vaccines authorised for use in the deployment programme are highly effective and provide a strong booster response. When you attend your appointment, the NHS will offer you a safe, effective vaccine.
  • How often can I get a booster dose?
    In terms of further boosters after the autumn campaign, and optimum timings to deliver them, the JCVI will make evidence-based recommendations. They continuously review data to inform these recommendations to the government.
  • Who is classed as a housebound patient?

    A patient is deemed to be housebound when they are unable to leave their home environment through physical and/or psychological illness. An individual will not be eligible for a home visit if they are able to leave their home environment on their own or with minimal assistance to visit public or social recreational public services (including shopping). Some patients may not be housebound permanently but rather are housebound temporarily as a consequence of an episode of illness.

    If you think you’re eligible for a home vaccination, you should contact your GP practice for support in the first instance.

  • Will I be vaccinated at home if I cannot make it to the Local Vaccination Service near me due to transport issues or location?

    You will only be vaccinated at home if you have been considered housebound by your GP.

    The Lincolnshire Transport Helpline provides information and advice on a wide range of transport options including community car schemes and CallConnect.  The helpline can be contacted on 0345 456 4474 or by  https://lincsbus.info/accessing-lincolnshire-transport/transport-helpline/. The helpline operates from 9am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am – 4pm on Saturday.

  • I’ve had COVID-19. Do I need to wait before having my seasonal booster?
    If you've recently had a confirmed COVID-19 infection, you should try to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. Ideally, you should wait:

    • 4 weeks (28 days) if you're aged 18 years old or over
    • 12 weeks (84 days) if you’re aged 5 to 17 years
    • 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 12 to 17 years old and at greater risk from COVID-19

    This starts from the date your symptoms started or from the date of a positive test, whichever was earlier. If you had some symptoms but you are not sure if you had COVID-19, you should still book a for vaccination once your symptoms are better and you can discuss this with a healthcare professional when you attend.

  • Can I have my flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster in the same appointment?
    Yes, if you are eligible to receive these two vaccines, you may be offered both in the same appointment. It is safe to receive both vaccines in the same appointment, but it’s important that you do not wait to try and schedule both vaccinations at the same time as this may not be possible and could delay your protection over winter. Please take up the offer of each vaccine when you are invited, even if they are on different dates.

    Please note, if you’re also receiving the shingles vaccine, or if you’ve been referred to a specialist clinic for a Nuvaxovid vaccine, it will not be possible to get your seasonal vaccinations at the same time.

  • I’m behind on my vaccines. What should I do?
    Whether one of your vaccines is overdue or you haven’t had your first yet, please be assured that it isn’t too late. If you’ve not had a 1st or 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine yet, you should make sure you have both as soon as possible. If you have had a severely weakened immune system, you should also get an additional third dose before you get any booster.

    You can book an appointment for any dose you’re eligible for at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by phoning 119.

  • I am travelling abroad, do I need a proof of covid vaccination?

    Other countries have their own COVID-19 rules, Before you travel you should check the ‘entry requirements’ section of foreign travel advice for all countries you will visit or travel through. Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The covid vaccination is not currently licensed for use as a travel vaccination, therefore unless you meet the current eligibility criteria for the vaccination you will not be able to receive it. Information on other travel vaccinations can be found here Travel vaccinations - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

  • How do I opt out of receiving national covid vaccination invites?

    You can use the national online portal to choose if you want to receive letters, texts, emails, NHS App notifications, or calls from the NHS to book a vaccination. This can also be used to check your current invitation preference. Choose your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination invitation preference - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

  • I’ve had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy. Do I need to be revaccinated?

    Yes, if you’ve had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy, you should be offered COVID-19 re-vaccination. Following stem cell transplants or CAR-T therapy, any protective antibodies from exposure or vaccination prior to transplantation are likely to be lost and it’s unclear whether the recipient acquires the donor’s immunity. Therefore, any previous COVID-19 vaccination is to be discounted.

Next: Need help with missing or incorrect vaccination records? Previous: Where can I get my covid vaccination?