Autumn/Winter COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign 2025/2026

The Autumn/Winter COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign 2025/2026 starts on the 1 October 2025.

The NHS national booking system opens today (Monday 1 September 2025), allowing close to a million eligible people across the East of England to book their Autumn/Winter Covid-19 vaccination – with appointments available from Tuesday 1 October.

Those eligible for this year’s Autumn/Winter Covid-19 vaccine include:

• Residents in a care home for older adults
• All adults aged 75 years and over
• Persons aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment (there is more information on the conditions and treatment which mean you’re eligible available here: COVID-19 vaccine – NHS)

The start date for adult flu vaccinations aligns to COVID-19 vaccinations to support co-administration of flu and COVID-19 wherever possible and provide the best possible protection as we head in to winter.

The Covid-19 virus continues to circulate and can be highly dangerous, particularly for people in the above groups.

Across last winter in the East of England (25 November 2024 to 16 March 2025), NHS statistics show that an average of around 100 hospital beds were taken up each day by patients with Covid.

The vaccine provides vital protection against different strains of the Covid virus and helps reduce the risk of catching it, as well as the risk of serious illness or needing to go to hospital if you do.

Surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus for up to two months after vaccination, compared to those who did not top up their protection.

Appointments are available across the East of England, mostly at pharmacies and GP practices. As well as booked appointments, there are also walk-in appointments available, with a full list of local locations across the East of England on the NHS walk-in finder.

Dr Eleanor Powers, Head of Public Health Commissioning (Immunisation) for NHS England – East of England, said: “With the latest available NHS statistics showing that so far this month, there were still an average of more than 90 people in the East of England’s hospitals with Covid each day, this continues to be a serious illness – especially for older people and anyone with a weakened immune system.

“Previous immunity wears off over time – whether that’s from having had the virus before, or the vaccine – so it’s vital those at the greatest risk of becoming seriously unwell top up their protection.

“Anyone aged 75 or over, those in a care home for older adults, or anyone who has a weakened immune system is eligible for a jab this Autumn/Winter.

“The NHS is contacting these individuals via text, email, NHS App messages or by letter but you don’t need to wait for an invite – just visit the NHS website, use the NHS App or call 119 now to book your appointment.”

Local NHS teams have been working to make it as easy as possible for people to get jabbed close to home, as well as organising visits to older adult care homes and eligible housebound patients. For those who receive all their care at home, a home visit should be arranged via their GP.

Anyone eligible who has not received any previous doses should still get vaccinated during this year’s offer, to help protect against serious illness.

The Autumn/Winter Covid-19 vaccination offer is available until Saturday 31 January 2026.

If you are eligible and having difficulty accessing a vaccination, please contact us on: nwicb.contactus@nhs.net or 01603 595857

Year-Round Offer

Some people with a health condition or treatment that severely weakens their immune system may need an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the next vaccination campaign. For example, if they have had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy.

Your GP or specialist will assess your risk and tell you if you need an extra dose of the vaccine.

Patients will need to be referred in via their GP or specialist, after which an appointment will be arranged. Appointments will not be available on a walk-in basis, via 119 or via the online NHS booking system.

The following sites will accept referrals for those who are eligible:

West Norfolk
King’s Lynn Conduit Street (6 month+)
Downham Market Willows Pharmacy (18yr+ only)

Norwich
Castle Quarter (6 month+)

East Norfolk
Beccles Medical Centre – (18yr+ only)

If you believe you are eligible for an extra dose of vaccine but are having difficulty accessing this, please contact us on:
nwicb.contactus@nhs.net or 01603 595857

Further Information

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines please click here – COVID-19 vaccine – NHS

For information regarding COVID-19 treatments, please click here – https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/access-to-covid-treatments/

Long COVID-19

Help and support if you have long COVID-19

The amount of time it can take to recover from coronavirus (COVID-19) varies from person to person.

While most people can recover quickly, others are left with symptoms that can last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes referred to as Long COVID-19.

Long COVID-19 can affect anyone, not only those who were seriously unwell or admitted to hospital when they caught COVID-19.

Signs and symptoms of long COVID

Long COVID-19 describes a range of symptoms, which may change over time.

If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, you should always seek medical advice from your doctor. They will discuss the support they think you need to help you get better.

For more information please visit: Find help and support if you have long COVID – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)