Autumn 2026 Covid Booster in Grimsby: Who's Eligible and How to Book
If you've seen the autumn Covid booster in the news and aren't sure whether it applies to you, you're not alone. Eligibility is narrower than it was in earlier years, so it's worth checking before you book.
Who can get a free NHS Covid vaccine this autumn?
For autumn 2026, the NHS is offering the Covid-19 vaccine to the people at highest risk of serious illness:
Adults aged 75 and over
Residents in care homes for older adults
People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
The immunosuppressed group is the one people find hardest to judge. It covers specific situations, such as organ or stem cell transplant patients, people having chemotherapy or radiotherapy, those on certain long-term immune-suppressing treatments, and people with some conditions that affect the immune system. Feeling run down, or having a common long-term condition, does not automatically put you in this group. If you're unsure, ask us or your GP rather than guessing.
When can I book, and how soon after my last dose?
Booking is open now, with appointments available from 1 October. As a general rule, the vaccine is offered no earlier than around six months after your last Covid-19 dose. If you're eligible, you can have it even if you've never taken up a Covid vaccine offer before.
What about the flu jab?
Flu and Covid eligibility are not the same. Flu vaccination opened to everyone aged 65 and over, and to adults in clinical risk groups, from 1 October. That means some people will be eligible for flu but not Covid. Where you qualify for both, you can often have them together.
What if I'm not eligible?
If you're outside the NHS groups, the free autumn Covid vaccine isn't offered to you this year. Speak to our team about what options may be available to you, and about other ways to protect yourself over winter, including a flu vaccination.
Questions? Ask your Grimsby pharmacy team
Pop in to our Ladysmith Road or Scartho pharmacy, or get in touch, and we'll help you work out whether you're eligible and how to arrange your Covid-19 vaccination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the autumn 2026 Covid booster free? Yes, for people in the eligible NHS groups: adults aged 75 and over, older-adult care home residents, and people aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
Can I get the Covid booster if I'm under 75 and healthy? Not on the NHS this autumn. The programme is focused on those at highest risk of serious illness.
How long after my last Covid jab can I have the autumn booster? Usually no earlier than around six months after your last dose.