Covid-19 vaccines

Find out about the vaccination programme for children aged 12 to 15.

If you’re 16 or over, you’re now eligible for your free Covid-19 vaccine.

If you're a young resident aged 18 to 29, visit our new website tailored for young people.

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.

Book an appointment

Local vaccine sites listed below offer the Covid-19 booster jab, which for those eligible can be booked five months after having the second Covid-19 vaccine. More information on eligibility is below.

Sites offering the booster include community pharmacies and there are a number of ways to get the booster:

• through the national booking system
• through the council helpline on 020 7364 3030 9am 5pm, Monday to Friday
• walk-in for the booster jab (sites offering listed below)
• wait for an invite from your GP

The 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 booster vaccination programme

To maintain high levels of protection against Covid-19 through the winter.

Booster vaccines are being offered to the following groups:

• those living in residential care homes for older adults
• all adults aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19, and adult carers
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

The Covid-19 booster vaccine will be offered to those eligible who received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago.

The Pfizer vaccine will be given in the booster programme, regardless of which vaccine someone received for their primary doses. Alternatively, a half dose of the Moderna vaccine may be offered.

As most younger adults will only have received their second Covid-19 vaccine dose by late summer or early autumn, the benefits of booster vaccination in this group will be considered at a later time.

A third dose for severely immunosuppressed

The booster vaccine advice is separate from, and does not supersede, recent advice on a third primary dose of vaccine for the severely immunosuppressed. There will be a review into whether the severely immunosuppressed will also requires a further booster at a later date, following completion of their 3-dose of the vaccine.

Vaccinations for children aged 12 to 15

This autumn, all children aged 12 to 15 are being offered the one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, following advice from the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers.

Vaccination of all children aged 12 to 15 has now started in Tower Hamlets. Children will be offered vaccination in their own schools – all schools have a date now before the end of November. If your child’s school has not contacted you yet about this, they will do so nearer the time. Community clinics are available if you child missed their vaccination day at school or they are home-schooled or they have an underlying medical condition (and therefore in higher risk group). Children who have an underlying medical condition or live with someone who is immunosuppressed are recommended to have two Pfizer doses usually 8-12 weeks apart.

Please find below more information and frequently asked questions including parent webinars where you can ask any questions. This page will be updated, so revisit for any updates.

- Why vaccinate?

Vaccinating 12- to 15-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?

The table below can indicate where your child is likely to be vaccinated.

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 below 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?

• We are hosting a series of webinars to give parents the opportunity to hear the latest updates and ask questions about the vaccination programme. 

• 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

• Call our helpline Tel: 0207 364 3030