Get a COVID-19 vaccination in Northern Ireland

COVID-19 Spring booster vaccination

First and second doses (primary doses) of the vaccine will continue to be available until 30 June 2023 for many people. 

This offer will end after this date.

You will be offered an additional COVID-19 booster, as part of the Spring booster programme if you are:

• aged 75 and over (born on or before 31 March 1948)
• a resident in a care home
• aged five to 75 who are immunosuppressed  

If you live in Northern Ireland (NI) but are not registered with a GP in NI, or are temporarily a resident in NI, you will need to bring evidence of your address to your vaccination appointment. 

If you have any issues with this, email the Department of Health at the address below for advice:

• email: covid-19vaccinationprogramme@health-ni.gov.uk

Information on where you can get your booster is below.

Invitation from your GP

Your GP practice will invite you for a Spring booster if you are:

• aged 75 and over (born before 31 March 1948)
• aged 18 to 74 who are immunosuppressed

If your GP does not currently offer the Covid-19 Spring booster vaccination you can receive your vaccine in either a local participating community pharmacy or a Trust clinic. 

For those aged five to 18 your GP will identify you and you will receive your vaccination in a Trust clinic.

If you're housebound, you should contact your GP and they will arrange a visit from a district nurse.

Community pharmacy

You can get your Spring booster at a participating community pharmacy if you are:

• aged 75 and over (born before 31 March 1948)
• aged 18 to 74 who are immunosuppressed
• resident in a care home

HSC Trusts

Trusts will vaccinate all those who fall under the eligible groups outlined above.

Further information on these locations is available on the Trust websites.

• Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
• Northern Health and Social Care Trust
• South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
• Southern Health and Social Care Trust
• Western Health and Social Care Trust

First and second doses (primary doses)

First and second doses (primary doses) of the vaccine, for individuals aged 18 and over, can be received at participating community pharmacies.

For those aged five to 18 years old, primary doses are available at Trust facilities.

RNIB helpline

If you are blind or partially sighted and need help in accessing the details of your local participating pharmacy, you can contact RNIB, Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and Saturday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.

This is not a booking line and the operator cannot help organise any vaccination appointments.

• phone: 0303 123 9999
• email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

Calls cost no more than a standard rate call, or count towards any inclusive minutes, to an 01 or 02 number. The price of calls varies between different providers, so check with your provider if you are unsure.

Pregnant or believe to be pregnant

Women who are pregnant are encouraged to have the primary and first booster jabs as soon as possible to help better protect themselves and their baby from any serious consequences from COVID-19.

Expectant mothers aged under 18 can receive their primary and first booster vaccination in line with other groups at high risk.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you should wait four weeks after the infection before getting a vaccination.

Further advice is available at:

• Pregnant? Have your COVID-19 vaccinations (English and translations)

For advice about getting the COVID-19 vaccination, you can speak to your obstetric provider or midwife.

Pregnant women can receive their vaccination at their local community pharmacy or Health and Social Care Trust.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has produced detailed questions and answers on COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding at this link:

• COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is absolutely no evidence that any of the vaccines can affect the fertility of women or men.

More information is available on the British Fertility Society website.

Follow public health advice after being vaccinated

Two primary doses of the current approved vaccines, as well as booster doses, have shown a high level of protection against serious illness from COVID-19, but no vaccine gives 100 per cent protection.  

Research is ongoing to see what impact the COVID-19 vaccines have on reducing the spread of the disease and to examine the extent to which vaccinated people can still pass the infection on to others.

Therefore, after vaccination, you should follow the public health advice and are asked to:

• practise social distancing
• wear a face covering
• wash your hands carefully and often

Further information on the public health advice is available at:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Further information about the vaccine

The Public Health Agency has developed a range of leaflets and a frequently asked questions section:

• COVID-19 vaccination programme

Vaccine safety

The vaccines have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). More information is available at:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): vaccine safety

Proof of vaccination

If you need proof of vaccination, information is available at:

• COVID certificates

For the latest travel advice go to:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice