Illustration of a vaccine vial beside a virus particle

COVID booster 2026/27: who gets it free, and how to get it privately

ByZain Rajabali

Every autumn the questions start again: “Am I due a COVID booster?” and, for many people, “I’m not eligible, but can I still have one?” The NHS offer has narrowed over the last few seasons, so here’s exactly who qualifies this winter, how to book it, and what to do if you’re not on the list.

This is general information, not personal advice. Whether a vaccine is right for you is confirmed at your appointment.

The short answer

  • Free on the NHS if you’re 75 or over (including anyone who’ll be 75 by 31 January 2027), live in a care home for older adults, or are aged 6 months to 74 with a weakened immune system.
  • NHS appointments start on 1 October 2026. If you’re eligible, the NHS says you can book now online or in the NHS App, without waiting for an invitation.
  • Not eligible? You can pay for a private booster. At MediPill it’s £99, or £119 with a flu jab in the same visit. Private bookings open on 1 October.
  • You can have it at the same time as your flu jab, the NHS says.

Who can get a free NHS COVID booster this winter?

According to the NHS, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine this winter if you:

  • are aged 75 or over, including those who’ll be 75 by 31 January 2027
  • are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
  • live in a care home for older adults

The NHS gives examples of conditions and treatments that can weaken your immune system, including blood cancer, an organ or stem cell transplant, HIV, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, some steroid medicines, and long-term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or inflammatory bowel disease. The list isn’t complete, so if you’re not sure, ask a pharmacist, your GP surgery or your specialist.

How to book your free NHS booster

If you’re eligible, the NHS says you can book online or in the NHS App now, for appointments from 1 October 2026. From then, you may also be able to go to a walk-in vaccination site or a local pharmacy or GP surgery.

We give NHS COVID boosters at all four MediPill branches. Book through the NHS service and choose your nearest branch, or call us and we’ll help.

Not eligible? How a private booster works

If you’re under 75 and don’t have a weakened immune system, you’re not eligible on the NHS this season. You can still have the same kind of updated booster privately.

At MediPill:

  • £99, consultation included
  • £119 with a flu jab in the same appointment, one in each arm
  • any adult can book, with no eligibility questions
  • appointments take 10 to 15 minutes, at all four branches
  • private bookings open on 1 October

You need to wait at least 3 months after your last COVID vaccine or a confirmed COVID infection. Full details and booking are on our COVID vaccination page.

Why have a booster?

The NHS explains that COVID vaccines are offered each season because the virus changes and protection fades over time. It says the vaccine can help reduce your risk of severe symptoms, help you recover more quickly, and reduce your risk of going to hospital.

You can still catch and spread COVID-19 after being vaccinated, so the usual advice about avoiding catching and spreading it still applies.

Can I have it with my flu jab?

Yes. The NHS says you can have the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine in winter. If you’re paying for both, having them together at MediPill costs £119 instead of £124. Our flu jab guide explains who gets that one free.

Side effects

Most people have a sore arm and feel a little tired, or have a mild temperature, for about a day. Serious reactions are rare, and the pharmacist who vaccinates you is trained to deal with them.

The NHS says most people who are eligible can have the vaccine, including if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell the pharmacist about any allergies or previous reactions to a vaccine.

Common questions

I’m 74. Can I get a free booster? Yes, if you’ll be 75 by 31 January 2027. Otherwise, only if you have a weakened immune system or live in a care home for older adults.

Do I need to wait for an invitation? No. The NHS says eligible people don’t need to wait for an invitation before booking.

How much is a private COVID booster? At MediPill it’s £99, or £119 with a flu jab in the same visit. Other providers set their own prices.

How long after having COVID should I wait? At least 3 months after a confirmed infection or your last COVID vaccine.

COVID boosters in Oxford

NHS and private boosters are available at all four of our branches:

Book on our COVID vaccination page, or see all our seasonal vaccinations. Questions first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

Sources

  1. COVID-19 vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
  2. MediPill private COVID booster prices and timings: our COVID vaccination page (23 September 2026)

Written by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist – GPhC #2219769
Medically reviewed by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber – GPhC #2219769
Last reviewed: 23 September 2026 · Next review due: August 2027

This article is general health information and is not a substitute for a consultation. It does not recommend any specific vaccine for you. NHS eligibility is confirmed by the NHS booking service, and suitability at an individual assessment with a pharmacist.

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