Booster FAQs

Booster FAQs image

Home » COVID-19 » Booster FAQs

The Autumn programme commenced in September 2022. As with previous vaccination rollouts, you will be contacted when you become eligible.

Further information on the Autumn booster programme can be found here.

Is there anyone that shouldn’t have the COVID-19 booster vaccine?

There are very few people in the eligible groups who should not have a booster.  If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor.

If I’m eligible, when and where can I get my vaccination?

The JCVI advises that the booster vaccine dose should be offered no earlier than three months after having the second dose of the vaccination.

People will be offered the vaccine through a range of services. You may be invited to get a booster through a GP-led service and/or be contacted by the NHS to book an appointment at a designated pharmacy, vaccination centre or GP-led service through the national COVID-19 vaccination booking service (NBS). You can also check if there are walk in opportunities local to you here:  https://blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/covid-19/vaccination-appointments-walk-in-sessions-and-information/

When and how will health and care staff get a COVID-19 booster?

Primary care teams will vaccinate care home staff and residents.

Health and care workers and social care staff can book via the national COVID-19 vaccination booking service (NBS) or walk in to ANY vaccination site without an appointment.  Check here for advertised walk in clinics: https://blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/covid-19/vaccination-appointments-walk-in-sessions-and-information/

What type of vaccine will the COVID-19 booster be? What if it’s different to the one I have had?

After reviewing data on booster responses from different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines, JCVI advises a preference for mRNA vaccines eg. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna irrespective of which type of vaccine was used for the first and second doses. Like the previous doses, the vaccine will be given in your upper arm.

There is good evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is well tolerated as a booster dose and will provide a strong booster response.

If we can’t offer you an mRNA vaccine (for example, because you have a PEG allergy) then an alternative vaccination may be available.  Please contact your GP if this applies to you.

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 related disease. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but the symptoms should be less severe.

Can I get the flu and COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same time?

The COVID-19 booster and the flu vaccine can be given on the same day and, for people that are eligible for both, there may be opportunities to have both together. We would encourage you to get your vaccinations as soon as possible and get fully protected rather than waiting as it may not always be possible to get them together.

I haven’t yet had the COVID-19 vaccination, can I still get my first jabs?

Everyone that is eligible that hasn’t already had their first or second COVID-19 vaccination can still get vaccinated.

If you are eligible, you can book your initial COVID-19 vaccinations through the NHS booking service (call 119 free of charge, anytime between 8am and 8pm seven days a week) or go to one of our walk-in venues – search the list for available walk-in opportunities here.

Please do not contact your GP practice (local doctor).

View all news

Latest news and highlights

News

22 July 2025

Patients urged to “please use NHS services wisely” ahead of planned NHS…

Patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to help the local NHS to preserve care for those who most need it, ahead…

News

22 July 2025

Local residents get answers to their cancer questions at shopping centre events

Hundreds of residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have received answers to their questions about cancer and cancer screening, following a series of outreach…

News

18 July 2025

More than half of local people now have the NHS App on…

More than half of patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have now downloaded the NHS App, new figures show. More than half of local residents have now signed up…

News

18 July 2025

NHS recruitment drive in Luton to support working-class communities

People from working class communities in Luton will be among those supported onto the NHS career ladder, as the Government’s Plan for Change tackles rampant health inequalities and gets Britain working.…

News

15 July 2025

Tragic death from measles prompts vaccination reminder to families

Parents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been alerted to the risk of measles, following reports this weekend that a child has sadly died of the disease in Liverpool.…

News

9 July 2025

More patients seen at extended-hours clinics in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Over 194,000 patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have taken advantage of ‘enhanced access’ appointments at general practices, which offer health services to people outside conventional opening hours. Figures…