COVID booster vaccine autumn 2025 and spring 2026 target those at “highest risk”

Published: October 09 2025
Last updated: October 09 2025

Kami Kountcheva | Eligibility criteria for the COVID booster vaccines is targeting those most at risk of serious disease, including older people and those with weakened immune systems

covid-19 coronavirus booster vaccinationThose eligible for the autumn 2025 and spring 2026 COVID booster vaccines include people aged over 75, those aged six months to 74 years who have a weakened immune system and those who live in care homes for older adults.

The eligibility criteria does not automatically include people with epilepsy, unless they also fall in one of these categories.

Eligibility for those aged over six months old is described in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVD) Green Book, in the ‘immunosuppression’ section of tables 3 and 4.

People who will turn 75 before 31 January 2026 are also eligible.

The UK Health Security Agency  said the JCVD is moving towards “targeted vaccination of those at highest risk of serious disease”.

Since last autumn, the criteria has tightened. The age limit has gone up from 65 and over to 75 and over. Those considered at risk also used to include a wider range of people listed in a clinical risk group in the Greek Book, but now only those in the ‘immunosuppression’ category are eligible.

The NHS says those eligible can book an appointment online or find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.

If you have any questions or need support, you can get in touch with the Epilepsy Action Helpline online, by live chat or by calling 0808 800 5050.

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