All information is correct at the time of publication.
Date published: 26 September 2025
The UK introduced its COVID-19 vaccine programme in December 2020 to help prevent serious illness, hospital stays and deaths. Over the last few years, the number of people going to hospital and dying from COVID-19 has fallen.
For most people, COVID-19 is mild, though it can still make you feel unwell. However, some people are at higher risk of severe illness.
The COVID-19 vaccine programme aims to protect those at highest risk of severe illness. COVID-19 is more serious for older people (including those in care homes) and those with certain health conditions. These groups are still more likely to need treatment in hospital if they get COVID-19.
As COVID-19 continues to circulate in Wales, it is very important for you or your child to get vaccinated if you are eligible. Vaccination helps lower the risk of needing hospital care due to COVID-19.
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.
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Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can help reduce the risk of serious illness and death from the virus. Protect yourself and your health and social care services.
If you are at most risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection, you will be offered a vaccination in spring and autumn each year. This is to make sure you remain protected against COVID-19. We recommend that you have your vaccination as soon as it is offered to you.
Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may reduce over time. The seasonal doses will help keep you protected for longer. They will also help to reduce the risk of you needing to go to hospital due to COVID-19 infection.
If you are eligible, you will be offered the autumn dose between October and December, around six months (and not before three months) after your last dose of vaccine. If you are unwell and cannot have the vaccine between October and December, you may be able to have it in January.
If you are eligible, the spring dose is offered between April and June, around six months (and not before three months) after your last dose of vaccine. If you are unwell and cannot have the vaccine between April and June, you may be able to have it in July.
You should aim to get the vaccine as soon as possible when you are offered it.
The NHS will contact you to let you know when and where to have the vaccine. It’s important to attend the appointment when invited.
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.
For more details, visit COVID-19 vaccination programme - GOV.WALES (external site)
COVID-19 is more likely to be serious for older adults and those with certain health conditions. Adults at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness will be offered the vaccination twice a year to reduce the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
Adults in the following groups will be eligible for a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
You will be offered the most suitable vaccine for your age and condition.
Make sure you don’t delay getting your COVID-19 vaccine if you’re advised to.
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 The national COVID-19 vaccination programme autumn 2025 (WHC/2025/022) [HTML] | GOV.WALES (external site) or contact your GP or local Health Board.
COVID-19 can affect anyone. For most children, COVID-19 is a mild illness that rarely leads to problems. However, some children are at greater risk, including those living with certain health conditions.
Those aged six months to 17 years with a weakened immune system are advised to have the COVID-19 vaccine twice a year, as part of the seasonal COVID-19 vaccination programmes. Vaccination reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a safe and effective way to protect your child against serious illness and the need for hospital care.
Children and young people aged between six months and 17 years with a weakened immune system will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the seasonal vaccination programmes. This includes children and young people who:
are having chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
have had a bone marrow, stem cell or organ transplant
have a genetic disorder that affects the immune system (such as IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder or SCID)
have cancer of the blood or bone marrow
are having biological therapy to suppress the immune system (for example, rituximab, alemtuzumab or anti-TNF)
are being treated with or likely to be treated with high or moderate-dose steroids
take oral medication that affects the immune system (for example, methotrexate, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine or mycophenolate), and
have an autoimmune disease that needs long-term treatment.
Children and young people who are about to start taking medication that will suppress their immune system should be considered for vaccination before this.
For more information, go to The national COVID-19 vaccination programme autumn 2025 (WHC/2025/022) [HTML] | GOV.WALES (external site) or contact your GP or local Health Board.
All medicines and vaccines in the UK are closely monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). They have approved the vaccines for use in children and young people, as they are safe and effective.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines given to children and young people, including their contents and possible side effects, visit medicines.org.uk/emc (external site). You will need to enter the words ‘COVID vaccine’ in the search box. You can also see the patient leaflet online.
Those aged six months and older who have a very weak immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment may not always build up full immunity to COVID-19. If this applies to you, medical experts may advise you to have additional doses to improve your protection. You may be offered these additional doses outside of the seasonal programme, to boost your protection until the next vaccination campaign.
If you have any questions, speak to your doctor or practice nurse. They will be able to tell you if you or your child needs additional COVID-19 vaccines.