Can I get my Spring Covid booster at a walk-in centre? Where to get fourth vaccine near me - who is eligible?

A spring Covid booster campaign is being rolled out to help boost immunity levels among those who are most vulnerable to severe disease.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that a fourth dose be offered to those eligible around six months after their last vaccine.

The rollout comes amid rising infections and hospital admissions across the UK, which are being fuelled by the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron.

The highly transmissible strain, also known as ‘Stealth Omicron’, now now accounts for the majority of cases in the country.

Spring booster jabs will be offered to more than five million people across the UK, with adults aged 75 years and over, residents in a care home for older adults and those aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed to be eligible.

Here’s what you need to know about booking your fourth dose, or finding a walk-in centre near you.

Can I get my booster at a walk-in vaccination centre?

NHS England has advised that people can get their spring booster jab at a walk-in vaccination centre instead of booking an appointment.

If you are eligible for a fourth dose, you should wait at least six months after your last vaccine to get your top-up jab.

You can use the NHS online walk-in finder to check where your nearest vaccination centre is.

Simply enter your postcode on the NHS website to find a site near you.

The health service said almost every person who is registered with a GP practice lives within 10 miles of a fixed vaccination site.

What if I want to book an appointment?

If you would prefer to book an appointment rather than visit a walk-in centre, you can do so via the NHS national booking system. Alternatively, you can call 119 to schedule an appointment.

NHS England advises that people to wait to be invited before trying to book their booster dose. You should receive a letter or a text inviting you to book when you are eligible.

Spring boosters have available in Scotland from 7 March, with those eligible able to get their jab at least 24 weeks after their last vaccine dose. If you live in Scotland you can use the NHS inform website to check when you will be invited for your booster and how to book.

Over 75s, older care home residents and people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed have been able to book a booster in Wales since mid-March.

People will be contacted by their health board inviting them to book. You should not contact your GP to ask about vaccination appointments.

In Northern Ireland, spring boosters will be available through GP or community pharmacies in April and May.

If you have had a positive Covid test, you will need to wait four weeks before booking your booster from the date you had the test.

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