Covid-19 vaccines

If you’re 12 or over, you’re now eligible for your free Covid-19 vaccine.

Read updates on Covid-19 locally in Tower Hamlets from our Director of Public Health, including the latest government advice and information around variants including Omicron.

Young people aged 18 to 29 can visit our microsite developed with young people, for young people to provide all the facts on Covid-19 and vaccination.

Book an appointment

Local vaccine sites listed on this page offer the Covid-19 booster jab. Those aged 18 or over can have a booster dose at least 3 months after their second dose. You can pre-book your booster dose online if it's been 2 months since you had your second dose.

Sites offering the booster (and first and second vaccines) include community pharmacies and there are a number of ways to get your vaccine:

• through the national booking system
• through the council helpline on 020 7364 3030 9am 5pm, Monday to Friday
• walk-in for the your jab (sites offering listed on this page)

The below map shows your nearest vaccination site and information on what type of vaccines are available, whether you can walk-in without an appointment and venue opening hours.

You don’t need any ID to book your appointment or walk-in, or to prove your immigration status. This includes those aged 16 and 17.

Second doses should be at least eight weeks after the first.

If you have any questions, please call our helpline number between 9am 5pm, Monday to Friday on 020 7364 3030.

The sections below detail all the vaccine sites in Tower Hamlets along with options on how to book at each, and whether walk-ins are available.

Covid-19 vaccination bus

The council operates a vaccination bus, which moves around the borough to provide on the spot vaccinations for residents. The bus makes it easier than ever for those needing vaccination – whether first, second, or booster – to get their jab.

Locations where the bus visits are chosen to help support vaccinating some of the borough’s hard to reach communities but is open to anyone. Along with getting vaccinated, staff on the bus can provide reassurance and information around vaccination to help support residents in protecting themselves.

Below are some of the locations the bus regularly visits:

• Devons Community Hall, E3 3HJ
• Billingsgate Market, E14 5ST
• Homeless centres
• Devons Estate, E3 3JB
• Bethnal Green Gardens, E2 6FG
• Arbour Square, E1

Remember if you want to book an appointment or walk in at a clinic, the above listing provides information on clinics and when they are open.

Ensuring that your Covid-19 vaccination service is accessible

Sites have a responsibility to ensure that accessible information about vaccinationis available, as per the Accessible Information Standard. People with hearing impairments have the right to British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation support, through either on-site BSL support, or remote BSL support. BSL support is now available via the SignVideo app, which is available to download and use, by selecting the NHS 119 button located within the SignDirectory available in the SignVideo app. User's existing InterpreterNow credentials will work in the new SignVideo app (the InterpreterNow app will no longer be available to download). BSL users who need a BSL Interpreter should download and use the new SignVideo app. BSL users do not need to register with the new SignVideo app to use the 119 BSL service.

People who are visually impaired have the right to information in an accessible format such as large print, audio and braille. You can order information about vaccination, boosters and what to expect after vaccination in a range of accessible formats.

A third dose for severely immunosuppressed

The booster vaccine advice is separate from, and does not replace, advice on a third primary dose of vaccine for the severely immunosuppressed.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recently advised that those who are immunosuppressed and have received a third dose of the vaccine will also be offered a fourth dose to boost their defence, with a minimum of 3 months between the third primary and booster dose.

Vaccinations for children aged 12 to 17

Children aged 12 to 15 are now eligible for 2 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, following latest advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation – this means that all 12-17 year olds are now recommended to have 2 doses.

Children should get good protection from the first dose. Having a second dose should give them longer lasting protection especially in light of the recent Omicron variant which can spread really fast from person to person.

Your child can visit our community clinics to get their vaccinations.

How many doses does my child need?

Why vaccinate?

Vaccinating 12  to 17 year olds should help to reduce the risk of complications, reduce time out of education, and reduce the spread of Covid-19 within schools.

Children will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, which is the vaccine approved for children and young people over 12 years of age. This follows a thorough review of the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the vaccine in this age group. Very few healthy children and young people with Covid-19 go on to have severe disease.

Where will my child be vaccinated?

Children and young people can continue to get vaccinated for their vaccines at the 2 community clinics in Tower Hamlets:

1. Albert Jacob House, 62 Roman Road, E2 0PG (accepts walk-ins)
2. Cable Street surgery, 445 Cable Street, E1W 3DE

Appointments can be booked through the  National Booking System. Due to issues with the National Booking System, children with medical conditions are not able to book using this system at the moment. Please accept our apologies.

How long after a Covid-19 infection should children wait before getting their jab?

Children should wait  for a period of time after getting tested Covid-19 positive. How long you have to wait depends on whether you have a medical condition or not or live with someone who is immunosuppressed.

Which children are in the higher risk group?

• If they live with someone who is more likely to get infections (for example, someone who has HIV, had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis)
• They have one of the these conditions that means they're at high risk from Covid-19:
  • A severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
  • Down's syndrome
  • Severe or multiple learning disabilities (or they're on the learning disability register)
  • A condition that means they're more likely to get infections (such as some genetic conditions or types of cancer)
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Haematological malignancy
  • Covid-19 clinical risk groups; chronic respiratory disease, heart conditions; conditions of the kidney, liver or digestive system, neurological disease, endocrine disorders, immunosuppression, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen; serious genetic abnormalities.

Where can I find more information?

• North East London Health & Care Partnership Covid-19 vaccination
• Information and FAQs for schools, parents, guardians, carers, and young people on 12-15 vaccination

Includes frequently asked questions about issues such as consent and side effects.

• Children’s Covid-19 vaccination leaflets

Including the ‘What to expect after your Covid-19 vaccination’ leaflet for children aged 12+.

• Easy-read children’s Covid-19 vaccination leaflet

Easy-read guides providing information on Covid-19 vaccination.

• Pre COVID-19 vaccination booking checklist for parents

Contact

If you have any questions or need some moe information call our COVID-19 helpline

 Tel: 020 7364 3030