Spring 2025 vaccine eligibility
COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. For these reasons, people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system are being offered a spring dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Timing of the spring vaccine
You should be offered an appointment between April and June, with those at highest risk being called in first. You will be invited to have your booster around 6 months after your last dose, but you can have it as soon as 3 months.
If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you do not have to wait until your birthday, you can attend when you are called for vaccination.
You will be invited for your booster.
Vaccines in use this spring
You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna and approved in the UK. These vaccines have been updated since the original vaccines and target a different COVID-19 variant. These updated vaccines boost protection well, and give slightly higher levels of antibody against the more recent strains of COVID-19 (Omicron).
As we cannot predict which variants of COVID-19 will be circulating this spring and summer, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have concluded that the vaccine used in the later weeks of the autumn 2024 programme should be used.
Who cannot take up the offer of a spring vaccine
There are very few eligible people who should not have a dose this spring. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor.
Where can I get my vaccine?
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination
You can also use one of the local pharmacies listed below
- Cherry Hinton Pharmacy
- Nuffield Pharmacy
- Petersfield Pharmacy
- Welfare Pharmacy — Trumpington
- Well Pharmacy — York Street
- Well Pharmacy — Barnwell Road
- Well Pharmacy — Mill Road
NHS COVID Pass for under 18s
GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 status
Age 5 to 11
You can use the Get your NHS COVID Pass letter service for a child aged 5 or over living in England, Wales or the Isle of Man. You can also ask for other formats (audio, big print or Braille).
An NHS COVID Pass letter for a child aged 5 to 11 can be based on their vaccination status or a positive NHS PCR test within the last 180 days (6 months). A letter based on a positive NHS PCR test is available in England or Wales only (not available in the Isle of Man).
You must be the child’s parent or guardian to request this letter.
Age 12 or over
You can get an NHS COVID Pass online if you’re aged 12 or over.
You can also get an NHS COVID Pass in other formats (a letter, audio, big print or Braille) using the Get your NHS COVID Pass letter service.
Age 13 or over
You can get an NHS COVID Pass using the NHS App if you’re 13 or over.
The NHS App and the online NHS COVID Pass service will need you to create an NHS login if you do not have one already.
Proxy Access for Children – Key Points
Parents may wish to link their Patient Access or NHS App account to their child. They will be able to order prescriptions and see allergy information for their child. They will not be able to view the COVID Pass information for their child as it is not held at the practice. Please follow the guidance above to request the COVID certificates.
Proxy access
When your child is under 12 you can request proxy access from your GP practice. This usually requires you to complete a form. This is the same form for anyone you care for. When a child is 12, they can still grant a carer proxy access but they will need to give their consent on the form. From this age a child can have their own account to access but they will need to contact their surgery to be declared competent to manage such information. From the age of 16 anyone can get have their own account with the NHS App or Patient Access. Typically, when the child turns 16, the proxy access will be discontinued. COVID Pass information will not be visible through proxy access.
Please note: This require processing time, please be mindful that you will need to leave your application or query with us for at least 5 working days to process.
Last updated July 2022
NHS COVID Pass/Recovery Certificate/Exemption
A large number of people have been calling us with queries about Covid vaccination status, vaccine exemption certificates and Covid recovery certificates.
This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Any queries about these and ask that patients follow the guidance at the link below:
If you have tested positive and are using the NHS App, your COVID passport will not be available for at least 14 days post the date you were confirmed as having a positive test result. Once the 14 days have passed your COVID pass should become available again for you to download.
Missing or incorrect COVID-19 vaccination data?
If you believe you have missing or incorrect COVID-19 vaccination data on your NHS app or on your GP record, please call 119 and ask the agent to make a referral to the Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS).
The service has been set up to resolve missing or incorrect vaccination records for people vaccinated in England who have a current NHS number and are registered with a GP practice in England.
The VDRS team will call you back within five working days to discuss your records.
Covid Pass Medical Exemption
- Phone the NHS COVID Pass service on 119 to ask for an NHS COVID Pass medical exemptions application form.
You can also call to find out more information about COVID Pass medical exemptions.
The call handler at the NHS COVID Pass service will ask you some questions. You will need to give:
- your name
- your date of birth
- your NHS number (if you know it)
- the name of your GP and/or specialist clinician
2. If you’re eligible to apply, you’ll get an application form by post.
You should not ask your GP for an application form. If you do go to your GP before you get your application form you’ll be asked to call the NHS COVID pass service on 119.
3. Return your application form to the GP or relevant clinician stated on the form. Your application will be clinically reviewed by your doctor, specialist or midwife. Your GP, specialist or midwife may ask to speak with you if needed, but you won’t need to book this when you submit your application.
4. You’ll automatically get the results of your application by post 2 to 3 weeks after applying. You don’t need to contact your GP or the clinician reviewing your exemption unless they ask you to contact them.
All calls asking for advice about the above prevent us from helping people with urgent health concerns quickly. Thank you as ever for your support with this request.
Last updated December 2021
Residents in England who have received COVID-19 vaccinations overseas
From 9 December, if you live in England and have had one or more of your COVID-19 vaccinations administered overseas, you can have your vaccination details added to your NHS Record. You can then generate an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use and international travel if you meet certain certification requirements.
Eligible vaccines
You can use this service if you’ve had one or more of the following vaccines:
- Oxford/AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
- Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty)
- Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
- Moderna (Spikevax)
- Institute of India (Covishield)
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin)
- SinoVac (CoronaVac)
- Beijing Institute of Biological Products (Sinopharm BIBP)
There will remain a small number of countries and territories where this service will not be enabled. However, international COVID-19 certification accepted at the UK border is also accepted at events and venues in England.
Tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you’ve had abroad
This service enables you to book an appointment to show evidence for any coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you’ve had outside of England. This is so the NHS can securely update your vaccination record.
Who can use this service
You can use this service if you:
- are aged 18 years old or over
- have an NHS number
- have received one of these MHRA-approved vaccines outside of England – Oxford/AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty), Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) or Moderna (Spikevax)