COVID-19 vaccine - About the COVID-19 vaccine

Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may begin to reduce over time. People who are at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 are offered a vaccination twice a year. These doses will help protect you for longer.

Having the vaccine can help to reduce the risk of you needing to go to hospital due to COVID-19 infection.

Vaccines are safe, effective and save lives.

Vaccines teach your immune system how to protect you from diseases. It’s much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and trying to treat them.

Yes. If you have already had COVID-19 this won’t always protect you against future infections, so you should still have the vaccine to make sure you are properly protected.

If you are unwell, it is better to wait until you have recovered before you have the vaccine. If you can’t attend your appointment, please cancel it and make a new appointment. Try to get the vaccine as soon as possible once you are well.

It is still important for you to get vaccinated if you are eligible for a vaccine.

Individuals in the following groups will be eligible for a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Those aged 75 years and over (or who will be turning 75 during the time the vaccine is being offered).
• Residents in a care home for older adults.
• People with a weakened immune system.

You will be offered the most suitable vaccine for your age and condition. If you are eligible, the vaccine will be provided free through the NHS.

Wales follows Welsh Government policy on who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. This policy is based on evidence about who is most at risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19.

A weakened immune system means your body cannot fight off infections as well as it normally would. This includes people who:

• are having chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
• have had a bone marrow, stem cell or organ transplant
• are living with HIV (at any stage)
• are diagnosed with multiple myeloma
• have a genetic disorder that affects the immune system (such as IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder or SCID)
• are having biological therapy to suppress the immune system (for example, rituximab, alemtuzumab or anti-TNF)
• take (or are about to take) steroids for more than a month at a certain dose
• have a history of leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma, and
• take long-term immunosuppressive treatment (treatment that weakens the immune system) for an autoimmune disease.

For more information, go to COVID-19 spring vaccination programme 2026 (WHC/2025/052) or contact your GP or local Health Board.

If you are eligible for a seasonal dose, you will be offered the vaccine twice a year, usually in the spring and autumn. You should be invited to have your vaccine around six months (and not before three months) after your last dose of the vaccine.

A spring dose will be offered between April and June. If you are unwell and unable to receive the vaccine between April and June, you may be able to have the vaccine in July. The autumn dose will be offered between October and December. If you are unwell and unable to receive the vaccine between October and December, you may be able to have the vaccine in January.

If you are not yet 75 but will be turning 75 during the time the vaccine is being offered, you will still be called for your vaccination. You do not need to wait for your birthday.

If you have not received an invitation or think you have been missed, please contact your local health board.

If you are a parent or carer with parental responsibility for a child or young person, you will be asked to give informed consent (permission) for them to have the vaccine. Young people aged 16 and over can give consent (permission) themselves.

In some circumstances, young people under the age of 16 may be mature enough to give consent themselves if they fully understand what is being offered. This is known as Gillick competence.  Although, it is best that parents or carers are involved in the decision of young people having the vaccine.

The nurse or person giving the vaccination will be able to discuss the vaccine at the appointment and answer any questions.

Hospital patients who are due for vaccination may be offered their vaccination in hospital if possible. Contact your local health board for more information.

Residents in care homes for older people will be offered their vaccination in their care home.

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them.

The most common side effects should only last a day or two, and include:

• a heavy feeling or soreness where you had the injection
• general aches or mild flu-like symptoms
• feeling sick or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• tiredness
• headache, and
• mild fever.

Babies under two years old may also be irritable, sleepy and lose their appetite.

You may have a mild fever for two to three days after having a vaccine. However, a high temperature is unusual and may be because you have another infection or illness. If you are worried, speak to your doctor or nurse.

You can take paracetamol (follow the advice in the packet and do not take more than the recommended dose), and rest to help you feel better. Children under 16 should not be given medicines that contain aspirin.

Sometimes after the COVID-19 vaccine, people can get swollen glands in the armpit or neck. This can happen on the same side as the arm where they had the vaccine. This can last for around 10 days, but if it lasts longer contact your GP surgery for advice. If you are due for breast screening (a mammogram) in the few weeks after the vaccine, mention you’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine when you attend.

Very rarely cases of inflammation of the heart have been reported after some COVID-19 vaccines. This is called myocarditis or pericarditis. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men within several days after vaccination. Most of these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatment.

You should get medical advice urgently if you have:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath, or
• a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart.

Other side effects are uncommon or very rare.

If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111 or your GP surgery. If you do get advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them what vaccines you have had so they can assess you fully. You can also go to  NHS 111 Wales online.

For more information about the vaccine, including its contents and possible side effects, you can look at the patient information leaflet.

• Children 6 months to 4 years:  Pfizer Comirnaty®
• Children 5 to 11 years:  Pfizer Comirnaty®
• Young people aged 12 to 17 years: Pfizer Comirnaty®
• Individuals aged 12 years and above: Sanofi Nuvaxovid®
• Individuals aged 18 years and above: Moderna Spikevax®

A black triangle symbol on a vaccine or medicine means that it is being closely monitored for any side effects. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you or your child may get.

You should report any side effects of the vaccine through the Yellow Card scheme online , by downloading the Yellow Card app or calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) have given advice on allergic reactions. They have said that people who had a reaction to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine may be able to receive further doses.

After a review by a specialist, many individuals have received subsequent doses of the same vaccine. This is preferred as it stops you being incorrectly labelled as allergic for life.

The following website also offers information to individuals with allergy  COVID-19 and vaccines | Anaphylaxis UK (external site).

There are very few people who should not have a COVID-19 vaccine. Most people with allergies can have the vaccine with no problems. The vaccine should not be given to anyone who has had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to:

• a previous dose of the vaccine, or
• any ingredient in the vaccine.

Make sure you tell the person giving you the vaccine if you have had a serious allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients in the past.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to help prevent severe illness from COVID-19. It may take a few weeks for your body to build up protection against COVID-19 after the vaccination.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is 100% effective – some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but their symptoms should be less severe.

Your levels of protection may begin to reduce over time, so you may need to have additional vaccines.

The UK vaccination programme has been very successful, with millions of people vaccinated and thousands of lives saved.

It is still important to know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, even if you or your child are vaccinated. For more information about COVID-19 visit Guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19.

Yes, all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK can be given to eligible pregnant women, or those trying to get pregnant who are eligible.

If you are pregnant, you should tell the nurse or person giving you the vaccination.

If you are trying to get pregnant, there it no need to avoid pregnancy after COVID-19 vaccination. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines effect fertility or your chances of becoming pregnant.

The current vaccines have been shown to be effective and safe, with no negative effects on pregnancy or the baby. Having the vaccine does not increase the risk of miscarriage.

Yes, all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK can be given to people who are breastfeeding.

After having a vaccine, your immune system produces antibodies. These are a natural substance that helps protect you against viruses and bacteria. These antibodies can pass into breast milk and may help protect breastfed babies. There is no evidence of harm to the baby and any traces are expected to be broken down with breast milk in the baby’s stomach.

You do not have to stop breastfeeding to have the COVID-19 vaccine.

Covid-19 vaccinations are no longer offered for travel purposes by the NHS.

Foreign travel advice is available.

The COVID-19 vaccine may be offered at your GP surgery, local community pharmacy, vaccination centre, or through a mobile team. If you are housebound or live in a care home and cannot get to a GP surgery or vaccination centre, there are plans in place for a mobile service to bring the service to you. Hospital patients who are due for vaccination may be offered their vaccination in hospital if possible.

You will be advised where to get your vaccine once you receive your appointment. If you can’t attend, please let the booking team know so they can give your appointment to someone else. The team’s contact details are on the appointment letter. You can contact your local health board for more information.

COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time, or at any interval between most other vaccines. The healthcare provider administering the vaccine will be able to give you more information.

Make sure you get your vaccines as soon as they are offered to you.

Scammers often make contact by email, phone calls, text messages or social media posts. They may even call at your door and may ask you for money.

There have been reports of scams relating to the COVID-19 vaccine. In Wales, COVID-19 vaccines will only be available through your NHS local health board.

Remember:

• The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details – the vaccine is free for eligible people.
• The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
• NHS staff will never arrive unannounced at your home to give you the COVID-19 vaccine.
• The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or payslips.

If you receive a call, text message or email claiming to be a COVID-19 vaccine booking line asking for your bank details or for money, this is a scam. Never give your bank details over the phone or email to an unknown source or to anyone who cannot confirm their identity to you.

There is more information on spotting fraud and scams available.

• If you receive a call that you think is a scam, hang up immediately. You can report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm).

If you receive a suspicious text message that you think is a scam, you can forward it to 7726. This is a free service in the UK to report scam texts. 7726 spells out SPAM on a telephone keyboard. Do not click on any links or reply to the text.

If you are concerned or suspicious about an email you have received, please forward the email to [email protected] so these scams can be identified and stopped.

When you forward the suspicious message, you will receive a reply asking for the number which sent you the text. Action Fraud will follow this up with your mobile phone provider.

If you think you are a victim of fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or  visiting Report Fraud.

Please make sure your GP has your up-to-date contact details so you can be contacted to have the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as appropriate.