The first spring Covid-19 vaccines were delivered by NHS staff from Tuesday 1 April 2025, NHS England said, with more than half a million appointments booked in the previous week1. Since the national booking system opened on 25 March, 563,154 Covid-19 spring booster jabs had been booked, and around 7.5 million people will be invited to get their jabs1.
Those the NHS identifies as needing extra protection this year are people aged 75 and over (including those who turn 75 by 17 June 2025), older adult care home residents, and immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and over1. The NHS says they can book via the NHS App, the nhs.uk website, by calling 119 free of charge, or through their GP practice if invited, and that invites will be sent by email, NHS App messages, texts or letters, but people do not need to wait for an invite to book1. As well as booked appointments at GP practices and pharmacies, thousands of walk-in appointments are available every day, with locations listed on the NHS walk-in finder1.
Latest weekly figures cited by NHS England showed more than 1,000 Covid-19 patients in hospital on average every day in the week ending 23 March1. Surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency on last year's spring programme showed 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.
"It is important we remember Covid-19 is just not just a winter illness and even in spring and summer it remains dangerous for those most at risk, such as older adults, care home residents and those who are immunosuppressed."
The NHS is also encouraging those aged 75 to 79 (and those who have turned 80 since 1 September 2024) and pregnant women from 28 weeks to get the RSV vaccine by booking with their GP practice or speaking to their maternity services1.
Why it matters for households
The programme affects households in England with members in the eligible groups: people aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and immunosuppressed people aged six months and over1. Vaccination started on 1 April 2025 and booking opened on 25 March1. The NHS says people do not need to wait for an invite to book, and that walk-in appointments are available as well as booked slots at GP practices and pharmacies1. Professor Sir Stephen Powis said protection from the Covid-19 vaccination reduces over time, so those in the most at-risk groups should get a top-up even if they have had a jab before1. 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 nine weeks after vaccination, and advised all eligible people to get vaccinated1. The health emergencies hub covers wider household health planning, and Who Can Get a COVID-19 Vaccine Now? sets out who is eligible.
What happens next
Invitations to the around 7.5 million people eligible will be sent by email, NHS App message, text or letter1. The NHS states that people aged 75 and over are included if they reach that age by 17 June 20251. No closing date for the spring programme is given in the announcement1.
