Page last updated: 17 December, 2021, 11:25am
Vaccine eligibility
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. They give you the best protection against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the UK are:
You cannot usually choose which vaccine you have. When you book, you’ll only be offered appointments for vaccines that are suitable for you.
Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines, but some people are only offered certain vaccines. Visit the NHS website for more information.
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine?
People aged 16 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of a vaccine.
Most children aged 12 to 15 are currently only being offered a 1st dose. Read our FAQ for parents.
Booster doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have had a 2nd dose of a vaccine at least 3 months ago.
Find out more about vaccine eligibilityBooking an appointment
You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online now, or wait to be contacted by your local service.
If you do not have a booked appointment, you may be turned away if the vaccination centre does not offer walk-in clinics.
If for any reason you are unable to make your appointment, please let us know ASAP by getting in contact with whoever you booked your appointment with (i.e. GP or National Booking Service).
If you cannot book appointments online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to.
If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
If you live in Essex and need help to book an appointment you can ring 0344 2573 961 (open 10am to 4pm, local rate).
Walk-in Clinics
A number of walk-in clinics operate across mid and south Essex.
You do not need to be registered with a GP to use a walk-in site.
Find a walk-in clinic near youYou can also find walk-in clinics in others parts of England on the national NHS website.
Having your 2nd COVID-19 vaccination
The 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus. But you need to have the two doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection.
It’s important that the same vaccine is used for both doses and it will help if you return to the same place as where you had your 1st dose.
Find out more about more about booking your 2nd doseWinter flu and COVID-19 booster jabs
As we head towards the winter months, it’s more important than ever to take the necessary steps to protect the health of ourselves and those around us. If you’re eligible and haven’t yet taken up the offer of a winter flu or COVID-19 booster jab, you need to act now.
A booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine helps improve the protection you have from your first 2 doses of the vaccine.
It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
Winter flu and COVID-19 booster jabsDo you need your NHS number or registered at a GP practice?
You do not need to be registered with a GP to receive a COVID-19 or have an NHS number to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
The below letter sets out that no one should be denied or turned away from any site or prevented from booking for these reasons. You can take this letter with you to show that you are allowed to have a covid-19 vaccine:
If you’re not registered at a GP practice, Find out more information on how to register with a GP in England at the link below
Register with a GP