nhs travel vaccinations london

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Travel clinic services

In this section.

• Complex travel

Organisational screening

Post tropical screening.

• Teaching and training

Department of Travel Medicine and Travel Clinic

Travel is an important part of our lives. UK residents make ten of millions of visits overseas each year.

At the Hospital for Tropical Diseases we believe that whether your trip is for work, holiday or to visit loved ones you should be able to travel with up to date, clear and comprehensive pre-travel advice.

Please email  uclh. htdtravelclinic @nhs.net  if you have any questions.

Complex travel medicine  

If you require our travel clinic services, but are not eligible for NHS care, we also offer a private service

HTD also offers travel related products (e.g. mosquito repellents and bed nets) that you can purchase at your appoinment.  

You can see prices for these products along with charges for vaccines, the cost of which is not covered by the NHS  (see price list) .

Patient leaflets

• Dengue fever patient information films
• Travel advice for people living with HIV

Consultants

Dr Nicky Longley

Dr Vanessa Field

Get in touch

Email:  uclh. htdtravelclinic @nhs.net   

Telephone:   020 3447 5959

Opening hours:

Tuesday: 9:15am - 12:45pm

Wednesday: 1:30pm - 5:00pm

Thursday: 9:45am - 1:15pm 

Friday: 9:15am - 12:45pm

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Online Services

Travel Health

Do you need a vaccination.

Our Nurses can provide comprehensive travel health advice and arrange for appropriate immunisations. Please arrange an appointment for a travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before departure if possible. Vaccines need time to take effect and some may require a course over several weeks.

Central Asia

Australasia & Pacific

Central America

Europe & Russia

Middle East

North America

South America & Antarctica

Travel Assessment

We offer a travel advice and immunisation service. If you are travelling abroad please complete and submit the travel form in plenty of time (we recommend 6-8 weeks) before your journey.

Click the button below to complete a travel assessment form ahead of your travels.

Further Travel Information

The following websites will give you additional travel advice:

Travel Vaccination Prices

Travel advice is covered by the NHS; however some vaccinations and prescriptions are only available privately. Payment for non-NHS services must be made at the first travel appointment.

Vaccinations which are free to all NHS registered patients :

Register as a New Patient

Travel Advice and Vaccines

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as  yellow fever ,  typhoid  and  hepatitis A .

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you’re due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you’re:

– travelling in rural areas – backpacking – staying in hostels or camping – on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:

Travel Health Pro

NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of  meningitis  for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it’s still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

You may need COVID-19 vaccinations to travel abroad.

Check the  foreign travel advice on GOV.UK  to find out the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting.

Find out more about the NHS COVID Pass for travel.

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

– written information on what vaccines are needed – the cost of each dose or course – any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

You can also get travel vaccines from:

– private travel vaccination clinics – pharmacies offering travel healthcare services

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

polio (given as a  combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab )

hepatitis A

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Register with us

Online Services Access

Travel Vaccinations

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as  yellow fever ,  typhoid   and  hepatitis A  .

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule   protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

If possible, see the GP or private travel clinics at least 8 weeks before you’re due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you’re:

• travelling in rural areas
• backpacking
• staying in hostels or camping
• on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

Which travel vaccines do I need?

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro 
• NHS Fit for Travel 

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of  meningitis  for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it’s still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad 

Where do I get my travel vaccines?

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

You should also ask if the GP practice is signed up to provide free NHS vaccinations for travel, as not all GP practices are.

If the GP practice does not provide NHS vaccinations for travel, you can try a:

• private travel vaccination clinic
• pharmacy offering travel healthcare services

The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice is signed up to provide NHS travel vaccines, these can be provided to you free of charge.

Other non-NHS travel vaccines may be charged for by the GP.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

• written information on what vaccines are needed
• the cost of each dose or course
• any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.

• polio (given as a  combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab  )
• typhoid 
• hepatitis A 
• cholera 

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

You’ll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B 
• Japanese encephalitis
• meningitis vaccines 
• rabies 
• tick-borne encephalitis
• tuberculosis (TB) 
• yellow fever 

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres in your locality.

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.

It’s worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

Other things to consider

There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

• your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
• working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
• working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
• contact with animals – you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies

If you’re only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you’re unlikely to need any vaccinations.

But it’s important to check that you’re up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Speak to a GP before having any vaccinations if:

• you’re pregnant
• you think you might be pregnant
• you’re breastfeeding

In many cases, it’s unlikely a vaccine given while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.

But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this.

People with immune deficiencies

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.

This may be the case if:

• you have a condition that affects your body’s immune system, such as  HIV or AIDS
• you’re receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as  chemotherapy
• you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

A GP can give you further advice about this.

Non-travel vaccines

As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, it’s also a good opportunity to make sure your other UK vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.

People in certain risk groups may be offered extra vaccines.

These include vaccinations against diseases such as:

• chickenpox 

Read more information on  NHS vaccines  for adults and children to find out whether you should have any.

Travel Risk Assessment Form

Most vaccines are given at least 2 weeks before travel, and some more complicated regimes take longer. Please try to give us prior notice (preferably 6 weeks).

Online Services

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Travel Clinic

We offer an NHS vaccination service for travellers. It is important when you are planning to travel abroad that you  make an appointment with a Practice Nurse 6 to 8 weeks before you travel.   Our travel consultations are very popular and do get booked up quickly, so it is important to book early to avoid disappointment.

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS and are the only ones we offer:

• polio (given as a  combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab )
• hepatitis A

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Please be aware that we no longer provide private travel vaccinations . We ask you to arrange your own private travel consultation at a clinic of your choice to discuss with them any additional vaccinations that your trip may require.

You’ll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• tick-borne encephalitis
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from  designated centres .

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need. We do not offer these vaccinations.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required below.

Useful links

• Fit for Travel

Use of Diazepam to help with a fear of flying :

At London Lane Clinic, we will NOT prescribe Diazepam for patients who wish to use it for fear of flying. We have made this decision for the following reasons:

• Diazepam is a sedative.
• Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep which could place you at an increased risk to developing blood clots (DVT) especially if your flight is over 4 hours long.
• Diazepam is a benzodiazepine and a small proportion of people experience effects of agression, disinhibition and behave in ways that they normally wouldn’t do. This could impact on safety of you and your fellow travellers or could lead you to get in trouble with the law.
• National prescribing guidelines don’t allow the use of benzodiazepines in cases of phobia.
• In several countries, diazepam and similar drugs are illegal.
• Diazepam has a long half-life which means it stays in your system for a significant period of time and you may fail random drug testing if you are subjected to such testing.

See below for further details.

Travel Questionnaire

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Please click here for further information on the NHS website

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.

• Name * First Name Last Name
• Sex * Male Female

• Daytime Tel *
• Departure *
• Purpose of Trip: Business Pleasure Other
• Type of Trip: Package Self Organised Backpacking Camping Cruise Ship Trekking
• Accommodation Hotel Friends & Family Other
• Traveling Alone With Friends & Family In a group
• Location Type Urban Rural Altitude
• Activity Type Safari Adventure Other
• List all chronic medical conditions that you have (eg. diabetes, heart or lung conditions)
• List all allergies that you have (eg. eggs, nuts, antibiotics)
• If you have had a serious reaction to a vaccine in the past, which vaccine was it?
• List all of your current medications (including oral contraception)
• Have you recently suffered from any infection (e.g heavy cold, flu or high temperature)? Yes No
• Does having an injection cause you to feel faint? Yes No
• Do you or any close family members have epilepsy? Yes No
• Do you have any history of mental illness including depression or anxiety? Yes No
• Have you recently undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy or steroid treatment? Yes No
• Have you taken out travel insurance? Yes No
• If you have a medical condition, have you told your insurance company about it? Yes No
• Are you pregnant, planning pregnancy or breast feeding? Yes No
• Write below any further information that might be relevant

Vaccine History

• Hepatitis A
• Jap B Enceph
• Malaria Tablets
• Hepatitis B
• Yellow Fever
• Should be Empty:

Online Services 

Travel Health and Immunisations

We are pleased to offer our registered patients a travel health service. Our nurse uses up to date information to advise you on your health needs related to destinations around the world. They can administer most vaccinations and provide prescriptions for treatments where needed.

Many people are taking long haul holidays requiring complicated courses of vaccines. Children also need to be vaccinated for travel abroad. Most travel vaccinations are free. To assist you in these requirements please see additional travel health information below.

Booking your Appointment with the Nurse

• Travel Risk Assessment: If you’re planning a trip abroad, please complete our  Travel Risk Assessment form  with details of your proposed journey. Alternatively, if you prefer, drop into surgery to complete a form. ( Kindly note that this service is for registered patients only)
• Travel Appointment: Once you have submitted your form, please book a travel clinic appointment with the nurse, but please leave a week between submitting the form and your appointment so we can process your details.
• Please Allow Plenty of Time: Patients are advised to allow plenty of time for vaccinations (at least two or three months) especially if traveling to an out of the way place where they’ll be living or working among local people. Some courses of vaccine such as rabies or Hepatitis B need to be given over several weeks.

Prescriptions

If you require a prescription for vaccinations this will be ready to collect 2 working days following your appointment.

Holiday Health

It is always a wise precaution to pack some essential items in case of illness on holiday. Do choose medicines according to your needs and the country you are intending to visit. lf you take prescription medicines regularly remember to pack them too.

You may want to consider packing the following:

• Paracetamol Travel Sickness tablets Plasters and a small crepe bandage
• Rehydration solutions such as Dioralyte, Anti diarrhoeal for example lmodium
• High factor sunscreen
• Anti material tablets, Water purification tablets, Insect repellent
• Condoms or other contraceptives
• Sunhats for yourself and children

Mosquito Bite Avoidance for Travellers

In many tropical countries, mosquitoes can spread diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, West Nile, malaria, yellow fever and Zika. Here are five simple rules you should follow to reduce your risk of infections spread by mosquitoes.

Mosquito Bite Avoidance for Travellers Leaflet

Useful Travel Information Websites

The  Travel Health Organisations  section on this website has lots of useful links to help you.

Travel Vaccination Charges

We offer most of the travel health service at no additional charge to the patient. However the NHS does not cover the cost of all the treatments you may need. Therefore, for some services you may need to pay.

Malaria Tablets are NOT provided on the NHS  and sometimes can be bought over-the-counter or may require a private prescription. The nurse can advise regarding this or you could discuss with your pharmacist.  REMEMBER  some tablets have to be started at least one week before you travel and you need continue to take them when you return to the UK for the advised length of time.

A list of these charges is held at reception.

• 020 7112 5198
• [email protected]

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Get your protection here. Book MMR vaccine.

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies vaccine in stock. Book your appointment.

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What Travel Vaccinations do you need?

We provide all the essential Travel Vaccinations and medication to keep you safe and well abroad including, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria Medication, Meningitis, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis, Typhoid and Yellow Fever.

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Travel Vaccinations

Visa Services

Blood Tests

We provide individuals, businesses and other institutions with travel vaccinations, covid tests, blood tests and visa services from our London travel clinics.

Our London Travel Clinics

All 5 of our centrally located travel clinics are convenient for people living and working in London. Liverpool Street, London Bridge, High St Kensington, Battersea and Mayfair. We are open early morning, lunchtime, evening and weekends and provide all of the vaccinations and medications that you need.

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Expert inoculation advice

Our talented team of healthcare professionals have years of combined expertise in travel medicine and they’re all keen travellers themselves. Unlike GPs we focus exclusively on travel health. We’re not generalists, we’re specialists.

What our customers say about us.

We love what we do, we believe our enthusiasm shows and we’re very proud of our excellent reputation. We work hard to maintain it, and it’s great when people appreciate our efforts.

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Incredible service – so helpful Excellent service! Chazile went above and beyond to prepare me for my travels to south east Asia. Very kind, sharp and added helpful bits of information that will be useful during my travels. Even created a vaccine booklet for me that I asked for to keep track of my vaccines for the future. Highly recommended The London Vaccination Clinic. Thanks again Chazile 🙂 Nick

Travel vacines

Attended a consultation for travel vacines, the nurse explained everything with care, provided good advice. We then add a follow up consultation with a different nurse for the vaccines and was also very kind and professional. Was very impressed, we did not feel pressured to have more vacines then reasonable and both nurses gave pricing information upfront.

Very positive experience

Really easy to book and the nurse who I saw in Liverpool Street was really kind and helpful. She went through my vaccination history, what I needed for my trip and explained everything I needed to know ahead of administrating the vaccine I needed. I am glad I arrived early as the venue was tricky to find as the name of the building has changed so doesn’t match Google maps. Put me in a slight panic as I thought I was going to miss my appointment but I found it in the end!

Thorough and helpful consult

Thorough and helpful consult. Professional and pleasant experience, amazing and k knowledgeable staff!

My nurse was a beautiful soul inside…

My nurse was a beautiful soul inside and out. I have a fear of needles and she was so patient and reassuring from beginning to end. She asked me questions, helped me to relax and made me feel like an individual rather than just someone on the list for the day.

At the London Vaccination Clinic, we are proud to introduce our team of expert nurses who are dedicated to providing excellent customer care and over delivering for our customers. Our nurses possess a high level of skill and expertise, ensuring that every individual receives the best possible preparation and protection for their travel needs, regardless of their destination or personal circumstances. We prioritize the development of our nurses and take pride in their continuous growth. All our nurses are registered with the UK regulatory body, ensuring their professionalism and adherence to the highest standards of care. To further enhance their knowledge and skills, our nurses receive regular training from our medical and clinical directors, who provide them with the latest updates and advancements in the field. As a CQC regulated and approved clinic, we are committed to delivering the highest quality of care to our patients. Our dedication to excellence extends across all our clinics located throughout the UK. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can receive comprehensive and personalized care for their travel health needs. At the London Vaccination Clinic, we understand the importance of your health and well-being while traveling. Our team of skilled nurses is here to ensure that you are well-prepared and protected, allowing you to embark on your journey with confidence and peace of mind.

We operate under the rigorous standards set by the CQC and are committed to delivering top-notch care to our patients at every one of our UK clinics.

Download our CQC report here. 

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Appointments

Booking an appointment within one of our excellent travel clinics is quick and easy and average appointments are just 15 minutes!

FREE travel vaccine consultation

Speak to one of our travel vaccine experts about what vaccinations you need.

*Enter your name and number and one of our travel vaccine experts will call you back.

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Travel vaccinations

If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world. If possible, see a GP or a private travel clinic at least eight weeks before you are due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Some will involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

Check which vaccinations you need

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• GOV.UK - Foreign travel advice
• NHS - Travel vaccinations
• NHS - Fit for travel

Up to Immunisation

Updated: 05/01/2024

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I am travelling next month and I am trying to get some travel vaccinations. I called my GP practice and I was told they do not offer travel vaccination anymore (even the free ones) and I was directed to a private travel clinic. I am thinking of changing practice as it is a matter of principle that as a tax-payer I should not be asked to pay for a supposedly free service.

53 replies to this topic

it is a matter of principle that as a tax-payer I should not be asked to pay for a supposedly free service.

Essential health care is free at the point of delivery. Treatment to facilitate your travel plans is not.

“it is a matter of principle that as a tax-payer I should not be asked to pay for a supposedly free service”

It is a matter of principle that I, as a taxpayer, should not have to subsidise your holiday costs.

Why should travel vaccinations be free? I'm a taxpayer too and I can't think of a good reason why I should have to contribute to your trip overseas.

Why do you want me to pay for your holiday costs?

>> I was wondering if I can get the free NHS vaccines with a practice I am not registered with, <<

The chances of a GP practice just randomly giving a patient not on their list any travel vaccinations are somewhere between zero and nil.

Some pharmacies may offer travel vaccinations on the NHS, so you could do some research on any near you that offer travel clinics, but my strong suspicion is that the vast majority will charge and you might just have to accept it as part of the cost of your trip.

Read before posting and do not reply unless you have any useful information.

Some vaccines are free, some you have to pay for (and I will happily do) and the reason they should be free is explained on the NHS website:

"These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country."

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/

Some useful info - pay for the vaccinations you need.

Glad to be of help.

Also worth reading the link you posted

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a certain area.

>> Some vaccines are free, some you have to pay for (and I will happily do) and the reason they should be free is explained on the NHS website:

"These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country." <<

But they aren't guaranteed to be free - travel vaccinations are an optional service that GP practices can choose to provide or not provide to their patients . So even the vaccines that are "officially" provided by the NHS may not be available in your registered practice, as you have found out.

I did read, the following should be free and not based on postcode lottery/GP practice.

Please don't waste my time if you cannot answer my question.

"Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS if your GP practice is signed up to provide vaccination (immunisation) services.

polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)

hepatitis A

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country."

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Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

Use this service to:

• check if you need an appointment
• book an appointment
• check your existing appointment details
• cancel your appointment

You can use this service if you are registered with a GP surgery in England. Find out how to register with a GP surgery if you're not registered.

Booking for 2 people

You can book an appointment for up to 2 people who are both 18 years old or over.

How it works

The service will check if you need a vaccination before you book. To change or cancel your appointment, you’ll need the booking reference number we sent you.

Find a walk in centre

You can find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get a vaccination without an appointment. You do not need to be registered with a GP.

Book over the phone

You can call 119 free of charge to book over the phone if you cannot book online. You can speak to a translator if you need to.

If you have difficulties communicating or hearing

You can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or if you are a BSL user.

More information

• How to get a COVID-19 Vaccination

Page last reviewed: 30 May 2024 Next review due: 8 February 2027

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COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk

• Department of Health & Social Care
• UK Health Security Agency

Updated 21 May 2024

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk

This guidance only applies to people living in England. There is separate guidance available for people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Introduction

The success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has meant that the requirement for shielding and identifying people as clinically extremely vulnerable ( CEV ) is no longer necessary.

Most people who were part of this CEV patient cohort are no longer at substantially greater risk than the general population and are advised to follow the same guidance as everyone else on staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, as well as any further advice received from their healthcare professional.

However, there remains a smaller number of people whose weakened immune system means they may be at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, despite vaccination.

Enhanced protection measures, such as those offered by specific treatments or additional vaccinations alongside other protective behaviours, may benefit these individuals. This guidance is for those individuals who remain at higher risk.

This page contains information on:

• who this guidance is for
• keeping yourself safe

COVID-19 vaccines

Covid-19 treatments, covid-19 testing.

• what to do if you test positive for COVID-19
• what to do if you test negative for COVID-19 and still feel unwell

Who this guidance is for

Immunosuppression means you have a weakened immune system due to a particular health condition or because you are on medication or treatment that suppresses your immune system. People who are immunosuppressed, or who have specific other medical conditions, may have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases, including COVID-19.

Most people with immunosuppression will be under the care of a hospital specialist and/or known to their GP. As a result of this they will usually be eligible for either or both of:

additional vaccines including COVID-19 boosters

Further information on who is included in these groups of people is included in the sections on vaccination and treatments below. If you are in one of these groups, consider following the guidance below on keeping yourself safe.

Keeping yourself safe

The following advice on ‘keeping yourself safe’ is aimed at adults. Children and young people are recommended to continue to attend education, unless they are advised otherwise by their clinician. Attending education is hugely important for children and young people’s health and their future.

If you have been advised by the NHS that you are in one of these groups, you are advised to:

• ensure you have had all of the vaccines you are eligible to receive
• continue to follow any condition-specific advice you may have been given by your specialist

You are advised to try to avoid contact with people who have symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections. A detailed description of COVID-19 symptoms can be found in guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 .

If you have visitors to your home, consider ventilating your rooms by opening windows and doors to let fresh air in. More advice on ventilating your home can be found on GOV.UK.

Consider asking visitors to your home to take additional precautions, such as keeping their distance. COVID-19 tests are no longer free for the general public, but you may wish to ask visitors to take a lateral flow device ( LFD ) test before visiting. You might also consider asking them to wear a face covering and you may want to wear a face covering yourself.

If it feels right for you, work from home if you can. If you cannot work from home, speak to your employer about what arrangements they can make to reduce your risk. It may be that you are entitled to a Reasonable Adjustment under the Equality Act . See Public health principles for reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections in the workplace

If you are too ill to work, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay .

When out and about, you may want to try to keep your distance from others if that feels right for you, and consider reducing the time you spend in crowded spaces or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

Consider wearing a well-fitting face covering in crowded public spaces. Although face coverings are primarily worn to protect others, because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main routes of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 infection, they may also provide some limited protection to the wearer.

Further advice about face coverings can be found in guidance on living safely with respiratory infections including COVID-19 .

If you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment, and you are aged 6 months or over, you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination this spring if it has been at least 3 months since your last vaccination.

This is to help improve any protection you may have built from previous vaccination or infection.

By having a further dose of vaccine, you may reduce your chance of catching the COVID-19 infection. If you do catch COVID-19, the symptoms may be less severe and the illness shorter than if you had not had the extra vaccination.

Further information, including about those who may need an extra dose this spring, is available . You should receive a letter inviting you to book. If not, check with your GP or specialist whether you are eligible.

You should be offered an appointment between April and June, with those at highest risk being called in first.

How to book

If you are eligible for a vaccine, you can book a COVID-19 vaccine:

• on the national booking system
• by going to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
• on the NHS app
• by talking to a local NHS service, such as a GP surgery
• by talking to your care home

It will help to take the vaccination invite letter, an NHS letter describing your condition or treatment, or a repeat prescription slip with you, or you can show your health record or prescription history in the NHS App.

You can book or manage a COVID-19 vaccination online through the NHS website.

If you can’t book online, phone 119 free of charge, 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday. You can ask someone else to do this for you. Please ensure you have your NHS number at hand. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language ( BSL ) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS BSL interpreter service .

The NHS strongly encourages those with a weakened immune system to take up their offer for the spring 2024 COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible to ensure they have the highest possible level of protection.

Further information on COVID-19 vaccinations is available on NHS.UK.

The NHS is offering treatments to those people with COVID-19 who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill and who are aged 12 years or above. Not all treatments are suitable for people aged 12 to 17 years.

The list of eligible people who are offered these treatments is regularly reviewed and is available on the NHSE and GOV.UK websites. The list currently includes some people who have:

• Down’s syndrome, or another chromosomal disorder that affects their immune system
• certain types of cancer or have received treatment for certain types of cancer
• sickle cell disease
• certain conditions affecting their blood
• chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) stage 4 or 5
• severe liver disease
• had an organ transplant
• certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
• HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
• a condition affecting their immune system
• a condition affecting the brain or nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or certain types of dementia
• certain lung conditions or treatments for lung conditions

This list is a summary and does not cover everything.

If you were identified as being eligible for assessment for COVID-19 treatments before 27 June 2023, you will have been contacted by the NHS to make you aware of this.   

If you have become eligible for assessment for COVID-19 treatments since June 2023 (or become eligible), you will have been told about this (or will be told about this) by your doctor or specialist at the point that you were diagnosed with a qualifying condition or began a qualifying treatment. 

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, speak to your doctor or hospital specialist who can advise you.

Treatments for COVID-19 are most effective if they are started early (ideally within 5 days of you first developing symptoms). It is therefore important that you take a COVID-19 test as soon as possible if you develop symptoms so that you can access treatments early if you test positive for COVID-19. 

A broader group of patients (currently those aged 18 years and over, and with underlying health conditions) may also be able to take part in the  PANORAMIC clinical study  if they test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic.

In England, patients eligible for COVID-19 treatments can access free LFD  tests.

If you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, please make sure you have a supply of  LFD  tests at home so that you can test yourself quickly if you develop symptoms of COVID-19. You can now obtain free LFD tests from your local pharmacy. You can also use tests you’ve paid for, for example, a test you’ve bought from a supermarket or pharmacy. Further information is available on NHS: Treatments for COVID-19 .

Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory infections include, among others:

• a high temperature
• unexplained tiredness or lack of energy
• shortness of breath
• a loss of, or change to, your normal sense of smell or taste

Test kits contain instructions and links to support those who need assistance in testing.

If you test positive

If you test positive, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Further advice about staying at home can be found in guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 .

If you are eligible for treatment, it’s important to start as soon as you can. To be effective, treatments for COVID-19 need to be given quickly after your symptoms start.

If your COVID-19 test result is positive, follow the information for accessing treatments in your area on the NHS COVID-19 treatments page.

If you test negative and you still feel unwell

If your test is negative but you still have symptoms, you should take another test on each of the next 2 days (3 tests in total over 3 days).

If you continue to feel unwell, you should seek healthcare advice via your GP or NHS 111. If it is an emergency, you should call 999.

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