Covid-19 vaccinations

Anyone aged 16 or over in England can now get both doses of the Covid 19 vaccination and a booster dose. You can book a vaccination through the National Booking Service or visit a walk-in centre.

You can book an appointment in advance or choose to take advantage of walk-in appointments at a number of locations. For information on walk-in appointments in Birmingham and Solihull, visit the Birmingham and Solihull vaccine website.

No, vaccines are being given based on availability, except for when a patient’s medical history means a specific vaccine must be used. Any vaccines that are available will have been approved by the medicine regulatory authorities so you should be assured that whatever vaccine you are offered, it is safe and effective.

The Pfizer vaccine is generally recommended for those under 40.

You can book appointments online through the National Booking Service at a location that is convenient to you, or book a first dose through your GP and a second dose in a different location through the National Booking Service.

Students can receive their second or third dose in a different location to their first dose if appropriate to their circumstances. The National Booking Service has an option to book or re-arrange the vaccination appointment at a different location.

If you had a first dose in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but you are in England at the time of your second or third dose, you should either

1. Book through the National Booking Service (if you are registered with a GP in England and therefore have an English NHS number);
2. Register with a GP in England and book an appointment that way; or
3. Approach a local GP and ask to be vaccinated as an unregistered patient.

All adults in the UK aged 16 or over should have been offered two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Anyone who starts working in the NHS or in social care and has not been vaccinated should be offered the vaccination through occupational health departments, or be aware of where they can access the vaccination through their employer. Alternatively they can book an appointment through the National Booking Service or visit a walk-in centre.

Anybody aged 16 or over in the UK is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination for free, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

Nobody in England has to pay for the Covid-19 vaccination. The Covid-19 vaccination is free of charge and does not count as the kind of care that requires payment.

International students or anyone who sees requests for payment should report this activity to the University and to Action Fraud.

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book Covid-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.

International students can approach their local GP practice, saying they would like to register for the purposes of receiving the vaccine.

Anybody aged 16 or over in the UK is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination for free.

International students should register with a GP and get an NHS number. An NHS number can be found on any letter the NHS has sent you, on a prescription, or by logging in to a GP practice online service. You can find your NHS number here.

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book Covid-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice. Visit nhs.uk/register for more information on GP registration.

If you have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine overseas that is also available in the UK, you should receive the same vaccine for your second dose. If the vaccine you received for your first dose is not available in the UK, the most similar alternative should be offered as per the advice on the Government website (see sections on vaccine interchangeability guidance).

You should contact a GP to ensure you receive an appropriate vaccine for your second dose.

You can find more information on the NHS website or on the Birmingham and Solihull vaccine website.