Madison Clarke
As of April 2025, the NHS is offering spring booster jabs to around 7.5 million vulnerable people in England. However, the NHS Covid-19 vaccine programme is closed until autumn 2025. In the UK, people who have received two doses of a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot are considered fully vaccinated, even without a booster. While the booster jab can add significant protection from Covid, it is not currently necessary to show proof of a Covid booster to enter most countries. However, some countries in Europe, including Spain, France, and Denmark, have applied a nine-month expiry date to vaccine passports, meaning that a booster shot will be required after this time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are you considered fully vaccinated without a booster in the UK? | Yes, people who got a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot are considered fully vaccinated, even without a booster. |
| Who is eligible for a booster shot? | People aged 18 and above, and those aged 16 and above who are at risk (including health and social care workers). |
| How long after the second vaccination can you get the booster shot? | The booster shot can be administered three to six months after the second vaccination. |
| What type of booster shots are available in the UK? | Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Novavax. |
| Do you need a booster shot to travel to most countries? | No, but some countries in Europe, including Spain, France, and Denmark, have applied a nine-month expiry date to vaccine passports, which means a booster shot may be required after this period. |
| Are there any side effects to the booster shot? | Yes, common side effects include a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where the injection was given. Mild feverishness is also common for 2-3 days, but a high temperature is unusual and may indicate an infection. Very rarely, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) has been linked to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. |
| What should you do if you have Covid-19 or feel unwell? | The NHS advises waiting until you have fully recovered before getting the booster shot. |
| What if you had serious side effects from previous vaccine doses? | If you experienced serious side effects from previous doses, you should consult your doctor before getting the booster shot. |
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What You'll Learn
Two doses or a single-dose vaccine is enough
In the UK, people who have received a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot are considered fully vaccinated, even without a booster. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that individuals are fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
While boosters are not required to be considered fully vaccinated in the UK, they are recommended for certain groups to enhance protection against COVID-19. The NHS spring booster campaign targets vulnerable patient groups, including individuals aged 75 and above, those with weakened immune systems, and people aged 6 to 74 with underlying health conditions. Boosters are also available to individuals aged 12 and above who have received their previous vaccine dose at least three months ago.
The availability of boosters and the eligibility criteria may vary over time. It is important to refer to the latest guidelines provided by official sources, such as the NHS or the UK government, to stay informed about the current recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Although boosters are not mandatory for full vaccination status, they play a crucial role in enhancing protection against COVID-19. Studies have shown that receiving all eligible vaccine doses significantly reduces the risk of hospitalisation and severe illness across all age groups. Additionally, boosters can provide up to 70-75% protection against symptomatic infection, depending on the vaccine type and timing of the booster.
It is worth noting that the definition of "fully vaccinated" may evolve, and some countries might require a booster for travel or specific activities. As of May 2022, most destinations do not require proof of a COVID-19 booster for entry. However, countries like Spain, France, Denmark, Greece, and Austria have implemented time limits on vaccine validity, after which a booster is required to maintain full vaccination status for travel purposes.
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Boosters for travel
As of May 2022, nearly 70% of the UK population over 12 have received a third booster jab to increase their protection against Covid-19 and minimise the spread of infection. While many countries require travellers to be vaccinated before entry, the booster jab is only necessary for some destinations. Currently, you do not need to show proof of a Covid-19 booster to travel to most countries. However, this may change in the future.
Some countries in Europe, including Spain, France, and Denmark, have implemented a nine-month expiry date on vaccine passports, meaning that a booster shot will be required after 270 days of receiving the second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. Greece has set the limit to seven months, while Austria requires all tourists to show proof of a booster jab after 180 days.
The NHS Covid Pass for travel does not currently include Covid-19 booster vaccinations. However, you can order an NHS Covid Pass letter to show proof of your booster vaccination for international travel. It is important to note that the domestic NHS Covid Pass is no longer available in England, and it is not necessary to show evidence of a booster when entering the country.
The Covid-19 virus is constantly evolving, and even if you have been vaccinated before, your immunity level may decrease over time. The NHS encourages eligible individuals to get their booster shots to maintain protection. The NHS Covid-19 vaccine programme is currently closed until autumn 2025, and those eligible will likely receive a text reminder when it reopens.
Booster shots offer additional protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19. Studies have shown that a Pfizer/BioNTech booster jab after two initial doses offers 70-75% protection against symptomatic infection. It is important to consider the potential side effects of booster shots, but the vast majority are mild and short-term. If you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or other illnesses, it is recommended to wait until you have fully recovered before getting a booster.
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NHS COVID Pass
The NHS COVID Pass was developed to allow people to share their COVID-19 vaccination status securely. The pass shows your coronavirus vaccination details or test results.
The NHS COVID Pass service has now closed. It is no longer required to travel abroad to any countries.
Previously, the pass was required for travel to some countries. In May 2022, nearly 70% of the UK population over 12 had received a third booster jab. While many countries required travellers to be vaccinated before entry, the booster jab was only necessary for some destinations.
As of 18 February 2023, residents in England who have received one or more of the following vaccines can have them added to their NHS Record to generate an NHS COVID Pass: Sinopharm Beijing/BIBP, SinoVac-CoronaVac, Covishield (Institute of India) or Covaxin (Bharat Biotech).
The NHS spring booster campaign is offering Covid jabs to groups of vulnerable patients across the UK. Eligible members of the public in England can have a spring booster between 1 April to 17 June.
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Side effects
While you are considered fully vaccinated after your first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, getting a booster shot is highly recommended to ensure you have the highest level of protection against COVID-19. This is especially important as new variants of the virus emerge, which may be more resistant to your initial immunity.
Like any vaccine, side effects can occur after receiving a COVID-19 booster shot, but these are typically mild to moderate and tend to resolve on their own within a few days. The most common side effects include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue, nausea, and a feverish feeling. However, a high temperature may indicate an infection.
The Moderna vaccine has been linked to joint pain in some cases, and there is an increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis with mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart that has been reported in rare cases after COVID-19 vaccination. Most people who experienced this recovered with rest and simple treatments.
If you experience any concerning side effects or symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 booster, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
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Boosters for vulnerable patients
In the UK, people who got a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot are considered fully vaccinated, even without a booster. However, US health officials recommend boosters for some people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Similarly, the UK has implemented a booster programme targeting vulnerable patient groups.
The NHS spring booster campaign offers Covid jabs to vulnerable patients across the UK, with around 7.5 million people in England eligible for a top-up vaccination. Eligible individuals include those aged between six months and 74 years with a weakened immune system and a higher risk of severe illness. Those who turn 75 between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also receive the spring booster. NHS England is contacting eligible individuals, but they can also book an appointment without waiting for an invitation.
The UK has previously demonstrated flexibility in its booster programme for vulnerable individuals. In 2021, clinical guidance was updated to allow COVID-19 boosters to be administered sooner than six months after the second dose for certain vulnerable groups, including care home residents and housebound patients. This flexibility aimed to speed up the administration of boosters and ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals during the winter months.
Additionally, the NHS has planned to ensure capacity across community pharmacies, vaccination centres, and general practices to deliver booster jabs as part of its commitment to vulnerable groups. The NHS workforce and measures to maximise the use of resources are also in place to support the booster programme.
While the booster jab is not currently necessary for travel to most destinations, some countries, including Spain, France, Denmark, Greece, and Austria, have implemented time limits on vaccine passports, which may require travellers to have a booster to be considered fully vaccinated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, people who got a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot are considered fully vaccinated, even without a booster.
People aged 18 and above, and those aged 16 and above who are at risk, are eligible for a booster dose.
The common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK and include a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where the injection was given.
Currently, you do not need to show proof of a COVID-19 booster to travel to most destinations. However, some countries in Europe, including Spain, France, and Denmark, have applied a nine-month expiry date to vaccine passports, which means a booster shot will be required after this period.
You can book a booster shot online or call 119 to make an appointment.
