Anyone 16 and over is eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccination and as students you are also eligible to receive your second dose in a different location to your first dose, further details on how to book your vaccine are below.
We encourage all students to be registered with a GP practice so that you get called for your vaccination. We're working with Greenwich council to offer Covid-19 vaccination clinics at Avery Hill and Greenwich campuses during Welcome Weeks - let us know if you're interested in this.
If you receive an invitation, please do act on it as soon as possible. Millions of people are already benefiting from protection from the virus.
How are students being invited for their Covid-19 vaccination?
In England, the Covid-19 vaccine is being offered at local sites run by GPs or community pharmacies, at larger vaccination centres and in some hospitals.
You can find out how to get your vaccine at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by phoning 119.
If you are registered with a GP, you will be able to book appointments at a larger vaccination centre, a community pharmacy run site or at some GP run sites. You can do this as soon as you are eligible or when you receive an invitation from your GP.
To use the National Booking Service, you will need to be registered with a GP and have an NHS number. Anybody who has previously received treatment will have an NHS number and you can find this on any letter the NHS has sent you, on a prescription, or by logging in to a GP practice online service. You can also find an NHS number using this tool.
While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, you can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice. You can find out more about GP registration at nhs.uk/register.
Some of you may have received your vaccine already if you are at higher risk of Covid-19, are on a placement as a frontline health or care worker, are an unpaid carer, or are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed. You should continue with your first and second doses as planned.
If you receive an invitation, please do act on it as soon as possible. Millions of people are already benefiting from protection from the virus and this has contributed to dramatic falls in infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
I will be in a different location for my second dose, what should I do?
It is appropriate for students to receive their second dose in a different location to their first dose due to their circumstances.
If you are registered with a GP practice and become eligible, you can book your appointments online through the National Booking Service at a location that is convenient to you.
The National Booking Service allows you to view your appointments, cancel your appointments and book appointments again.
If you receive your first dose through a GP practice in one location but will be in a different location for your second, you can also book your second dose in your second location through the National Booking Service.
Second doses are administered 3 to 12 weeks after having the first dose.
I received my first dose in Wales/Scotland/ Northern Ireland, what should I do?
If you receive your first dose through a GP in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but are in England for your second dose, you should follow the instructions above to arrange your second dose in England.
I had my Covid vaccination overseas, can I get the booster here? (added 24 January)
Yes, if you have received all doses of an approved vaccine outside of the UK, you will be eligible to receive a booster, as long as the appropriate period of time has passed, and you have not recently had the virus.
Please bring along your vaccine passport or other proof of status when attending the clinic.
I am registered with a GP in my hometown, but not my university town, or vice versa. What should I do?
If you are registered with a GP practice and become eligible, you can book your appointments online through the National Booking Service at a location that is convenient to you.
The National Booking Service allows you to view your appointments, cancel your appointments and book appointments again.
If you receive your first dose through a GP practice in one location but will be in a different location for your second, you can also book your second dose in your second location through the National Booking Service.
You may also receive an invitation from your GP through text or a phone call. You may sometimes get a letter at the address that is registered with your GP practice. You do not need to wait to be contacted to book via the National Booking Service if you are eligible.
I am not registered with a GP, can I still get the vaccine? (16/8)
You do not need to be registered with a GP or have an NHS number to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
If you don’t have an NHS number you can contact your local GP surgery to organise the vaccine or attend a COVID-19 vaccination walk-in centre or pop-up centre.
If you have an NHS number, when you are invited for your vaccine, we encourage you to attend.
To register with a GP practice you can visit nhs.uk/register for more information.
I will be on a placement abroad for my second dose, what should I do?
If you will be abroad by the time your second dose is due, you should contact the health service in the country where are resident at the time the second dose is due.
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information about the Covid-19 vaccine at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.
Are international students eligible for the vaccine?
Anybody in the UK is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine for free, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. International students in England can receive the Covid-19 vaccine when their age or clinical risk group becomes eligible.
Do international students need to pay for the vaccine?
Nobody in England has to pay for the Covid-19 vaccination. The Covid-19 vaccine is free of charge and does not count as the kind of care that requires payment.
International students or anyone seeing requests for payment should report this activity to their university institution and to Action Fraud. More information on Covid-19 vaccine scams is on the Action Fraud website here.
Do international students need to be registered with a GP to get a vaccine?
While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.
How does an international student get an NHS number?
International students can approach their local GP practice, saying they would like to register for the purposes of receiving the vaccine.
Are any dependents of international students also eligible for the Covid vaccination?
Anyone in England is eligible for the vaccine if they fall within the current eligibility criteria set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and should come forward once it is their turn.
Are international graduates eligible for the vaccine?
See answer above.
How does an international student get a vaccine?
International students should be encouraged to register with a GP and get an NHS number.
An NHS number can be found on any letter the NHS has sent you, on a prescription, or by logging in to a GP practice online service. You can also find an NHS number using this tool.
It is possible to request to book Covid-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient by approaching a local GP practice.
While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book Covid-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice
Students can be directed to nhs.uk/register for more information on GP registration.
If an international student is not registered with a GP, will they still be invited for their vaccination?
Students who are not registered with a GP will not be proactively contacted by a local NHS service when they are eligible.
We encourage all students to register with a GP and can be directed to www.nhs.uk/register for more information. It is possible for individuals to request to book Covid-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.
What should an international student do if they schedule their first dose in England, but will be abroad for their second?
The student should contact the health service in the country where they are resident at the time the second dose is due.
What should an international student do if they’ve received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination abroad, and it is not a vaccine that is being offered in England?
If a person has received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine overseas that is also available in the UK, they should receive the same vaccine for their second dose provided that they are eligible.
If the vaccine they received for their first dose is not available in the UK, the student should contact a GP to ensure they receive an appropriate vaccine for their second dose.
Will international students need to have been vaccinated in order to enter England in the autumn?
Vaccination is not currently a requirement for entry into the UK. However, we encourage all international students to receive a vaccine, either in a different country before arriving for term, or in the UK once they arrive.
Where can students find more information?
Students should be directed to nhs.uk/covid-vaccination for more information about the Covid-19 vaccine.
