Covid-19 vaccine eligibility Posted or Updated on 13 Oct 2025

Covid-19 vaccine eligibility has changed

Every year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considers who needs to be vaccinated, to help protect people from serious illness.

Their advice on COVID-19 has changed because the threat from COVID-19 has changed. It has become a common milder infection for most people.

This autumn/winter, COVID-19 vaccination is being offered only to people at highest risk of serious illness - older people and those who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This is different to previous years and isn't the same for flu vaccination.

It's possible for you to be eligible for a flu vaccine but not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, even if you've had it previously.

Covid-19 vaccine eligibility (health conditions)

You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This can include if you:

• have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
• have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant
• have HIV
• have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
• are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy

You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This can include if you:

• are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)
• are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis

Not sure if you're eligible? This list doesn't include all eligible health conditions. Speak to your local pharmacy, GP practice or specialist to check.