Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Millions of people in the UK have received their COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccine is safe and effective, and provides the best protection from COVID-19.

Research has shown the vaccines help:

• Reduce risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
• Reduce risk of catching or spreading COVID-19
• Protect against COVID-19 variants
• Reduce risk of getting Long COVID

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is the biggest in NHS history.

The vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and pharmacies, at local vaccination centres run by GPs and at larger vaccination centres.

The order in which people are offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver the vaccine while at the same time continuing to be there for everyone who needs care. Here’s how we can help them:

• Please attend your booked appointments at the time you’re asked to.
• If you attend a walk-in clinic, please follow the guidance at that location. Find out where your nearest walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic is.
• Please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, even if you’ve already had your vaccine.
• The COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge on the NHS and they’ll never ask for your bank account or card details

Booster vaccination programme

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that every adult will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine by the end of December, we are working closely with our colleagues across the NHS to increase capacity and deliver the vaccination programme.

There are several ways to access the COVID-19 vaccine and we are working incredibly hard to increase what is already available. You can get your COVID-19 booster at:

• A local GP practice – more appointments within local practices will be available in the coming weeks. You may be invited to attend your practice or a different one nearby. Do not contact your practice to ask for an appointment – please wait to be contacted.
• A vaccination centre – such as St. James’s Hospital in Portsmouth. More booked appointments will be available on the National Booking Service in the coming weeks.
• Some local pharmacies – NHS England has arranged for some pharmacies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to provide the booster vaccination. This is by appointment only through the National Booking Service.

Appointments will be added to the NHS National Booking Service so please keep checking and use this to book your appointment. Alternatively, you can call 119, or you may be contacted by your GP practice.

Useful links:

• NHS National Booking Service
• Prime Minister’s address to the nation on 12 December 2021
• Portsmouth City Council COVID webpages

If you’ve not had your first or second dose of the vaccination, it’s not too late – you can book now or attend a walk-in clinic.

Further information

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that might be useful for you.