COVID-19 vaccine information
This page was updated on 27 April 2026
This information is for anyone with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) including people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
The Spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccine programme
The COVID-19 Spring programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill, who will benefit the most from a further vaccine dose. This includes:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 75 years and over
- persons aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book.
The definition of those who are immunosupressed includes those with axial SpA who are taking:
- Biologic therapy (including anti TNF and anti Il-17A)
- High-dose corticosteroids (20mg or more of prednisolone per day) for more than a month
If you are eligible, you should be offered an appointment between April and June, with those at highest risk being called in first. You will be invited to have your booster around 6 months after your last dose, but you can have it as soon as 3 months. If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you do not have to wait until your birthday, you can attend when you are called for vaccination.
You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer Moderna or Sanofi and approved in the UK. These vaccines have been updated since the original vaccines and target a different COVID-19 variant. These updated vaccines boost protection well, and give slightly higher levels of antibody against the more recent strains of COVID-19 (Omicron).
How to get your COVID-19 vaccination
- Phone 119, or
- Book on the NHS App, or
- Book online at www.nhs.uk/get-vaccine, or
- Find a walk-in site at www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in
The last day of the programme is 30 June 2026.