If you are aged 12 or over and had a severely weakened immune system when you had your first 2 doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, you will be offered a 3rd dose and a booster (4th dose).

The first 2 doses may not have given you as much protection as they can for people who do not have a severely weakened immune system. A 3rd dose may help give you better protection.

A booster (4th dose) helps improve the protection you have from your first 3 doses of the vaccine. It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

You will also be offered a spring booster of the COVID-19 vaccine if you are aged 12 and over and have a weakened immune system.

Find out how to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

Who can get a 3rd dose, a booster (4th dose) and spring booster

You will be offered these vaccines if you have a severely weakened immune system. This includes if you had or have:

  • a blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
  • a weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
  • an organ or bone marrow transplant
  • a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
  • a condition or treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a 3rd dose and a booster (4th dose)

When to get your 3rd dose, a booster (4th dose) and spring booster

You’ll usually be offered a 3rd dose at least 8 weeks after you had your 2nd dose.

Your GP or hospital specialist may suggest a different time depending on if you have any ongoing or planned treatment that affects your immune system.

If you think you’re eligible for a 3rd dose but have not been contacted, speak to a GP or your hospital specialist.

You can get a booster (4th dose) from 3 months (91 days) after your 3rd dose.

You will be contacted by the NHS when you are due a spring booster. You will usually be offered an appointment around 6 months after your last dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

How to get your 3rd dose, a booster (4th dose) and spring booster

If you’re eligible, a GP or your hospital specialist should contact you to let you know you can get a vaccine.

You may also get a letter from the NHS advising that you may be eligible and to discuss this with your doctor.

Your doctor will discuss with you how you can get your vaccine.

You’ll usually get vaccinated at your local hospital or a local NHS service such as a GP surgery.

Book your appointments online

If you’re aged 12 or over, you can also book online.

You’ll need to bring with you either:

  • a letter from your GP or hospital specialist inviting you for a 3rd dose or booster (4th dose)
  • a hospital letter that describes the condition or treatment that caused you to have a severely weakened immune system at the time of your 1st or 2nd dose
  • a prescription or a medicine box with your name and the date showing when the medicine was prescribed – this must show that you had a severely weakened immune system at the time of your 1st or 2nd dose

If you think you’re eligible for a 3rd dose or booster (4th dose) but you do not have a suitable letter, prescription or medicine box, you may still be able to get your vaccination.

What Covid-19 vaccinations can I have?