COVID-19, flu and winter vaccines: what people with blood cancer need to know this autumn

People aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system are eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccine.

Many people with blood cancer are eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccine. This is because blood cancer and its treatments can weaken your immune system.

If you’re not sure whether you can have the vaccine, speak to your healthcare team.

How you get your COVID-19 vaccine this autumn and winter depends on where you live in the UK.

England: the vaccination programme starts in October. If you can have a COVID-19 vaccine, you can book through the NHS App online or by calling 119. You do not need to wait for the NHS to contact you.

Scotland: the vaccination programme starts in September. If you can have a COVID-19 vaccine, NHS Scotland should invite you to an appointment or tell you how to book one.

Wales: the vaccination programme starts in October. If you can have a COVID-19 vaccine, your local health board should invite you to an appointment. The programme runs until 31 January 2027.

Northern Ireland: the vaccination programme starts in October . Check with your GP surgery or community pharmacy to find out how to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

If you think you should have a COVID-19 vaccine but haven’t had an invitation, speak to your GP or healthcare team

The vaccination programme will officially roll out from 1 October and is being delivered by GP surgeries, community pharmacies and Health and Social Care Trusts, including school nursing teams, and people are asked to work with our health service so that the programme can be delivered in a timely and well-managed way. The COVID-19 vaccination programme is planned to start the following week, from 8 October.

Everyone who is eligible for vaccination should make themselves aware of their own GP surgery, community pharmacy or trust vaccination arrangements

Many people with blood cancer are also eligible for a free flu jab . This includes people who have a weak immune system due to their blood cancer or its treatments.

People who live with someone who has a weakened immune system may also be eligible for a free flu jab.

Flu vaccination programmes are running across the UK this autumn. How you get your vaccine will depend on where you live.

If you can have both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, you may be offered them at the same appointment.

If you’re not sure whether you can have a free flu jab, ask your GP or healthcare team.

The RSV vaccination programme runs all year round. But you may hear about a change in the rules on who can have it this autumn.

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It’s a common virus that usually causes coughs and colds. However, it can make some people seriously unwell.

The rules for RSV are different from the rules for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. This means being eligible for a flu or COVID-19 vaccine does not automatically mean you’re eligible for an RSV vaccine.

All adults aged 75 years and over in the UK are eligible for an RSV vaccine, which should protect them for several years. But the rules about who else can have an RSV vaccine have changed in some parts of the UK from September this year:

In England, Wales and Scotland, some people aged 65 to 74 with a weakened immune system can now have an RSV vaccine. This may include people who have a weak immune system due to their blood cancer or its treatments.

If you’re not sure whether you can have a free RSV vaccine, speak to your GP or healthcare team.

If you have an eligible health condition

You’ll be offered the RSV vaccine if you have an eligible health condition and:

• are between 65 and 74 years old or,
• are turning 65 years old between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027
• Eligible health conditions include:
• having a chronic lung disease
• having a disease that weakens the immune system
• undergoing treatment that weakens the immune system

The best time to have a vaccine can depend on what’s happening with your blood cancer and on treatment you may need.

Your healthcare team may suggest timing vaccination before or after treatment. This can help keep you well and give your body the best chance of responding to the vaccine.

Do not delay or change your treatment so that you can have a vaccine. Speak to your healthcare team first. They can talk to you about the best time to have a vaccination.

Some people with blood cancer can have treatment for COVID-19 if they become infected.

These treatments can help reduce the risk of becoming seriously unwell. They need to be given soon after you get COVID-19, so it’s important to know what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

How you get COVID-19 treatment depends on where you live in the UK.

If you have been told that you may be able to have COVID-19 treatment, make sure you know who to contact if you get COVID-19.

If you are not sure whether you can have COVID-19 treatment, speak to your healthcare team.

For more information, visit our vaccinations webpage. This includes why vaccines are important, which vaccines you may be offered and what you need to know if you’re having treatment.