COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a virus. Most people who catch the virus will have mild symptoms and recover at home. However, some people - especially older adults and those who are immunosuppressed - are at risk of becoming seriously ill.
Eligible groups can now get their NHS COVID-19 vaccination for protection this winter.
The NHS will send invites, or you can book using the national booking system. Alternatively, you can visit a walk-in site, no appointment needed - the full list of sites in north west London is available here.
Autumn/winter 2025
The following groups are eligible for a free NHS COVID-19 vaccination this autumn from 1 October 2025 - 31 January 2026:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 75 years and over
- people aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ section of tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book.
For those who meet this criteria it is recommended that you have two vaccinations a year - one every six months for the best protection.
Please note: during pregnancy, you are only eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you are immunosuppressed.
This winter COVID-19 vaccination offer is free and runs from Wednesday 1 October 2025 to Saturday 31 January 2026.
Booking a vaccination
You should be contacted by the NHS if you're eligible for an NHS COVID-19 vaccine this autumn/winter 2025 campaign, or you can book an appointment directly using the national booking system (NBS).
Walk in services
The full list of walk-in vaccination sites in north west London are listed here.
No appointment is required to use the walk-in service, but we advise that you contact the vaccination site in advance to confirm when the site is planning a COVID-19 vaccination clinic. You do not have to be registered with a GP to use our walk-in services and you do not need to bring any identification.
Please also note that not all sites offer vaccination to children. This is subject to site meeting the assurance requirements, so please contact the site in advance of visit if children vaccination is required.
Note: many site also offer a flu vaccination, so please check with the site.