Autumn COVID Booster Changes Posted or Updated on 12 Sep 2025

Who’s Eligible for the 2025 COVID-19 Autumn Booster − What Has Changed & What You Need to Know

As the seasons turn colder, immunity from earlier COVID-19 vaccination begins to wane. To help protect those most vulnerable, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), has updated the eligibility criteria for the autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccine (often called the “Autumn Booster”). There are significant changes compared to last year, so it’s important to check whether you—or your patients—are now eligible.

What’s New This Year

Compared to the autumn 2024 vaccine programme, the criteria have been narrowed. The focus is now more tightly on those at highest risk from severe COVID-19. The major changes include:

• Age threshold increased: This year, only adults aged 75 years and over are automatically eligible. Last year the programme also included people aged 65-74.

• Care home residents included: Residents in care homes for older adults remain eligible.

• Immunosuppressed individuals: Anyone aged 6 months and over who meets the immunosuppression criteria is eligible. Last year, broader “clinical risk groups” (i.e. many more people with underlying conditions) were included; now only those with immunosuppression per the Green Book definitions will qualify.

Who Is Eligible in Autumn 2025

You are eligible for the free autumn COVID-19 vaccine if any of the following apply:

1. You are 75 years or older.

2. You live in a care home for older adults.

3. You are immunosuppressed, aged from 6 months and over.

The immunosuppressed category includes, but is not limited to:

• Organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients

• People treated with systemic steroids for more than a month

• Individuals living with HIV

• Those receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy

• Those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy

• People with a history of haematological malignancy (e.g. leukaemia, lymphomas)

• Those with genetic disorders that affect the immune system

For detailed definitions, see Chapter 14a of the Green Book.

What This Means for Patients & Practices

• Many people who were eligible last year (for example, those aged 65-74, or people in broader clinical risk groups) will not be eligible this year unless they also meet the stricter immunosuppression criteria.

• Vaccination should be offered no earlier than about 6 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine dose. Even if you have not taken up previous vaccine offers, you may still qualify.

• The vaccine remains free for those who are eligible.

How to Find Out More or Book

• The NHS website has a page for checking eligibility: search nhs.uk/get-vaccine.

• If you are eligible, details of how and where to get your autumn COVID-19 vaccine will be provided by NHS England or your local service as the programme is rolled out.

• If you’re unsure whether your condition qualifies under the immunosuppressed criteria, speak to your GP or specialist.