The Covid-19 vaccine and health conditions
Health conditions that put people aged 16 years and over at higher risk of Covid-19
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Chronic heart disease and vascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological disease or condition
- Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders
- Immunosuppression
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- Morbid obesity
- Severe mental illness
- Pregnancy
Health conditions that put people aged 5 to 15 years at higher risk of Covid-19
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Chronic heart conditions
- Chronic conditions of the kidney, liver or digestive system
- Chronic neurological disease or condition
- Endocrine disorders
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- Serious genetic abnormalities that affect a number of systems
- Immunosuppression
Adults and children with a severely weakened immune system
The JCVI recommend that people aged 5 years and older with a severely weakened immune system should be offered a third primary dose of the vaccine.
This includes those who had or have:
- blood cancers (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
- lowered immunity due to treatment (such as steroid medication, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
- lowered immunity due to inherited disorders of the immune system
- an organ or bone marrow transplant
- diseases that affect the immune system such as poorly controlled HIV
If you're taking medication
You’ll be asked some questions at your vaccination appointment to make sure that there are no reasons for you not to have the vaccine.
You'll also have an opportunity to ask any questions or discuss concerns you may have.
People with bleeding disorders or taking medication to thin their blood or reduce bleeding
People taking medication to thin the blood, such as warfarin, can safely receive the Covid-19 vaccine as long as their treatment is stable.
You should let the person giving you the vaccine know what medication you are on.
Stable means you will have been taking the same dose for a while and if you are on warfarin, your:
- INR checks are up to date
- latest INR level was in the right range
People with bleeding disorders should consult their specialist or their individual care plan for advice on vaccination.
