NHS opens spring COVID-19 vaccination bookings for 7.5 million eligible people

The NHS national booking system opened on Tuesday 25 March 2025 for 7.5 million eligible people to book a spring COVID-19 vaccination, NHS England announced the same day. Appointments start on Tuesday 1 April and continue until Tuesday 17 June¹.

Those eligible, as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, are adults aged 75 years and over, including those who will turn 75 by 17 June 2025; residents in care homes for older adults; and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed as defined in chapter 14a of the COVID-19 green book, tables 3 and 4¹. The NHS says anyone eligible who has not received any previous doses should still get vaccinated during this year's spring offer¹.

NHS England reports that hospitals saw an average of more than 1,000 beds each day over winter taken up by COVID patients. It cites UK Health Security Agency surveillance data on last year's spring programme showing that those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 for up to two months after vaccination, compared with those who did not receive one¹. Dr Alex Allen, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said last year's spring programme reduced the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation by over 40% in those at greatest risk, for up to 9 weeks after vaccination¹.

Thousands of appointments are available every day across the country, most at pharmacies and GP practices, and there are also thousands of walk-in appointments daily, listed on the NHS walk-in finder. Local NHS teams are organising visits to older adult care homes and to eligible housebound patients; for those who receive all their care at home, a home visit should be arranged via their GP¹. The NHS is contacting eligible people by text, email, NHS App message or letter, but says they do not need to wait for an invite to book¹.

Why it matters for households

Households containing someone aged 75 or over, a care home resident for older adults, or a person with a weakened immune system, including a child aged 6 months or over who is immunosuppressed, fall within the eligible groups for this spring's offer¹. Appointments run from 1 April to 17 June 2025, and booking is open now¹. NHS England says eligible people can book on the NHS website, through the NHS App or by calling 119, and do not need to wait for an invitation¹. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, said previous immunity from infection or vaccination can wane over time, and that those at higher risk should top up their protection¹. The NHS also says those aged 75 to 79, including those who turned 80 since 1 September 2024, and pregnant women from 28 weeks are being encouraged to get the RSV vaccine by booking with their GP practice¹.

What happens next

Appointments continue until Tuesday 17 June 2025¹. The NHS will send millions of invitations by text, email, NHS App message or letter, though booking does not depend on receiving one¹. Households can check who is eligible in the guide to who can get a COVID-19 vaccine now, and read about other seasonal offers in vaccines that protect against outbreaks. More health guidance for households is collected in the health emergencies hub.