Over the last four years, the number of people going to hospital and dying from COVID-19 has fallen. For most people, COVID-19 is mild, though it can still make you feel unwell. However, some people are at higher risk of severe illness.
The COVID-19 vaccine programme aims to protect those at highest risk of severe illness. COVID-19 is more serious for older people (including those in care homes) and those with certain health conditions. As COVID-19 continues to spread in Wales, it is very important for you or your child to get vaccinated if you are eligible. Vaccination helps lower the risk of needing hospital care due to COVID-19.
Wales follows Welsh Government policy on who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. This policy is based on evidence about who is most at risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19.
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Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can help reduce the risk of serious illness and death from the virus. Protect yourself and your health and social care services.
People at the highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection will be offered a vaccination this spring. We recommend that you have your vaccination as soon as it is offered to you.
Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may fade over time. The seasonal spring dose will help protect you for longer. It will also help to reduce the risk of you needing to go to hospital due to COVID-19 infection.
If you are eligible for a spring dose, it will be offered between April and June, around six months (and not before three months) after your last dose of vaccine. If you are unwell between April and June, you may be able to have the vaccine in July.
The NHS will contact you to let you know when and where to have the vaccine. It’s important to attend the appointment when invited.
If you can’t attend, please let the booking team know so they can give your appointment to someone else. The team’s contact details are on the appointment letter.
For more details, visit COVID-19 vaccination programme - GOV.WALES (external site).
COVID-19 is more likely to be serious for older adults and those with certain health conditions. Adults at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness will be offered a vaccination this spring. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
Adults in the following groups will be eligible for a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine during Spring 2025:
residents in a care home for older adults
adults aged 75 years and over
adults aged 18 and over with a weakened immune system.
You will be offered the most suitable vaccine for your age and condition.
Make sure you don’t delay getting your COVID-19 vaccine if you’re advised to.
A weakened immune system means your body cannot fight off infections as well as it normally would. This includes people who:
are undergoing chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
have had a bone marrow, stem cell or organ transplant
are living with HIV (at any stage)
are diagnosed with multiple myeloma
have a genetic disorder affecting the immune system (such as IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder or SCID)
are undergoing biological therapy to suppress the immune system (for example, rituximab, alemtuzumab or anti-TNF)
take (or are about to take) steroids for more than a month at a certain dose
have a history of leukaemia, lymphoma, or myeloma
take long-term immunosuppressive treatment for an autoimmune disease.
For more information, go to COVID-19 vaccination programme - GOV.WALES (external site) or contact your GP or local Health Board.
COVID-19 can affect anyone. For most children, COVID-19 is a mild illness that rarely leads to problems. However, some children are at greater risk, including those living with certain health conditions.
Children and young people aged six months to 17 years who have a weakened immune system are advised to have the COVID-19 vaccine this spring. Vaccination reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a safe and effective way to protect your child against serious illness and the need for hospital care.
Children aged between six months and 17 years with a weakened immune system will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes children who:
are undergoing chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
have had a bone marrow, stem cell or organ transplant
have a genetic disorder affecting the immune system (such as IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder or SCID)
have cancer of the blood or bone marrow
are undergoing biological therapy to suppress the immune system (for example, rituximab, alemtuzumab or anti-TNF)
are being treated with or likely to be treated with high or moderate-dose steroids
take oral medication that affects the immune system
have an autoimmune disease that needs long-term treatment.
For more information, go to COVID-19 vaccination programme - GOV.WALES (external site) or contact your GP or local Health Board.
All medicines and vaccines in the UK are closely monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). They have approved the vaccines for use in children and young people, as they are safe and effective.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines given to children and young people, including their contents and possible side effects, visit medicines.org.uk/emc (external site). You will need to enter the words ‘COVID vaccine’ in the search box. You can also see the patient leaflet online.
People aged six months and older with severe immunosuppression may not respond well to the COVID-19 vaccine. These people have a very weakened immune system due to a health condition or medical treatment.
An additional dose of vaccine may be needed.
If you have never had a COVID-19 vaccine or have recently become severely immunosuppressed, you should be considered for your first dose of vaccine, no matter the time of year.
If you have previously had a COVID-19 vaccination and have become severely immunosuppressed, you should be considered for an additional dose. You should have the vaccine three months after your last dose, no matter the time of year.
The extra dose aims to boost your protection until the next seasonal campaign. Severely immunosuppressed people may also be eligible for further seasonal doses, based on expert advice.
For more information, go to:
COVID-19 Spring Vaccine - Public Health Wales