Updated 26 May 2023

Vaccines are the best protection against COVID-19. They are highly effective in preventing hospital admission and serious illness, including Long COVID. It is important that you have all the doses of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination that you are eligible for.

The most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and flu vaccinations in Sussex is available from the Sussex Health and Care website.

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine

1st and 2nd doses for everyone aged 5 and above

  • Children and young people who are aged 5 to 17 year olds are offered a 2nd dose at 12 weeks from 1st vaccine
  • Children and young people who are at high risk from COVID-19 are offered a 2nd dose at 8 weeks
  • Adults aged 18 and over are offered a 2nd dose at 8 weeks from 1st vaccine

The current offer of first and second COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone aged five or over is due to end on 30 June 2023. After that it will not be possible for most people to receive a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine outside a seasonal campaign. 

Spring vaccination

The NHS is getting ready to offer a further Covid-19 vaccination this spring to those at greatest risk of severe illness from the virus.

People at greatest risk are being offered a booster vaccine this spring. This includes:

•    residents of care homes for older adults 
•    people aged 75 and over 
•    people aged 5 and over with a weakened immune system.

This includes those who turn 75, are admitted to an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed in June.

You should have your booster around 6 months from your last dose but you can have it from 3 months.

The offer of a Spring COVID-19 vaccination ends on 30 June for most people.

Other booster doses

Some people who are at increased risk, for example because of age or certain medical conditions, may be offered a seasonal booster later this year. If you are eligible for this, the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to get vaccinated.

Find out more about eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations on the NHS website.

Getting your COVID-19 vaccinations (16+)

If you're currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination:

Appointments are available at some pharmacies in the city, as well as at Brighton Racecourse and Portslade Health Centre.

Eligible adults can also walk in to one of our mobile vaccination sessions.

Weekly sessions are available:

  • Wednesdays: 10.30am-2.30pm, Tesco superstore Hove
  • Thursdays: 10.30am-2.30pm, Outside Hove Polyclinic

Other walk-in sessions are also availble. Please check the Sussex Health and Care website for the latest information.

No NHS number or ID is required but it does speed things up if you do have your NHS number with you.

Overseas visitors to England, including anyone living in the UK without permission, can also get the COVID-19 vaccine for free. 

If you call 119, you can speak to a translator if you need to.

If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.

COVID-19 vaccinations for 5 to 15 year olds

Children aged 5 to 11 and those aged 12 to 15 can book first and second vaccinations at some pharmacies in the city. A parent or carer must attend with them.

If currently eligible you can:

For more information about how young people with additional needs can get their vaccinations, please contact the local vaccination team. Call 0300 303 8060 or email here.rovingpatients@nhs.net.

More info for young people

A dedicated website, Everything Covid, has been set up for young people with all you need to know about the vaccine programme and the vaccines themselves.

A textline is also available by texting 07312277727. It provides access to expert advice from registered healthcare professionals for those wanting to find out more about the vaccine and includes information on consent issues and process.

Having your vaccine after testing positive for COVID-19

  • Young people aged 5 to 17 who are not in a high-risk group should wait 12 weeks after a positive test showing COVID-19 infection before a vaccine dose.
  • Those aged 18 and above, or aged 5 to 17 in clinical at-risk groups, can take up their vaccine offer 28 days after a positive test. 

Talk to the vaccine team if you have concerns about getting your vaccine

It’s really important that you get all the COVID-19 vaccines you are eligible for so that you have the strongest protection against the virus, prevent the worst effects and reduce risk of infection to those around you.

There are many reasons why people haven’t had their vaccines yet. Not everyone feels comfortable having an injection, some people are scared of needles or needle-phobic, some may be anxious about leaving the house, visiting an unfamiliar place or worried about side-effects of the different vaccines, and others may be struggling to get out to a vaccine site.

If you have any concerns the vaccine team can talk it through with you, or you can request a call back from a clinician if you would prefer, to help find the best way for you to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

This could include helping you to find a venue you feel comfortable in or transport to get you there, booking your appointment, talking through any worries you might have about needles or getting an injection, and where appropriate they could even arrange a home visit if needed.

To talk to one of the vaccine team, please call 0300 303 8060 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email here.rovingpatients@nhs.net.

Free transport to help you get to your vaccination

A free transport service is available to help people who do not have the means to travel to their vaccination appointment and need help to get there and back. To book free travel please have confirmed plans to attend a vaccine session first, then call 01444 275 008 to speak to a travel coordinator (10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Ageing Well can also help people get to the mobile vaccination service. You can phone 07770 061 072 to arrange this.

YMCA Youth Advice Centre offers a vaccine buddy scheme for young people under 26 who live in Brighton & Hove and need support with booking, transport or finding locations, and staff can go with them to their appointment. For more information, email YACCOVIDFUND@ymcadlg.org or phone 01273 624 432.

Update your record if you’ve had your vaccine overseas 

If you or your child have had any of your COVID-19 vaccinations outside of England, they will not automatically show on your medical records or in the NHS App.

To update your records on the national system, you need to book a vaccination checking appointment so the NHS can review evidence of the vaccinations you’ve had. 

You will then be able to order or download an NHS COVID pass when you need to show evidence of your vaccination status for travel, for future COVID-19 vaccinations or for another medical need.

Book your vaccine checking appointment online or phone 119. The service is not currently available regularly in Brighton & Hove. 

Read more about how to tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had abroad.

More information

Find out more about the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme.

If you can’t find an answer, you can talk to the vaccine team. Call 0300 303 8060 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email here.rovingpatients@nhs.net.

National NHS information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccination and testing scam alert

Some people have received suspicious calls, text messages and some face to face calls at the doorstep offering the COVID-19 vaccination or advising that you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and asking you to pay for a test.

To protect yourself and your family members from fraud and criminals, please remember that the NHS will not:

  • text you and ask you to enter personal details on a link
  • call you and ask you to press buttons on a keypad
  • ask for payment or for any bank details
  • ask to come to your home 

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. 

If you are suspicious about an email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you are suspicious about a text message, forward it to the number 7726 (which is free-of-charge)

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by visiting actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040.

If you have any information relating to NHS COVID Pass or vaccine certificate fraud you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting CrimeStoppers online at covidfraudhotline.org or call on 0800 587 5030.

If any money has been taken from your account please contact your bank or building society immediately and let them know what's happened..

Read more about How to spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and calls from GOV.UK