For some, particularly older people and those with a weakened immune system, COVID-19 can still be very dangerous and even life-threatening. COVID-19 vaccines offered by the NHS provide protection against the virus and help reduce the risk of serious illness. The vaccine has saved countless lives, prevented thousands from needing to go to hospital and helped us to live with the virus without fear or restrictions.
Protection against COVID-19 (either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination) can fade over time and the virus can change so if you are at higher risk of severe illness, it is important that you top up your protection.
In addition to the COVID-19 vaccination, during this programme, Middlewood will also be delivering the RSV vaccine to eligible patients in the same appointment.
Who is eligible for the COVID vaccine?
The COVID vaccination eligibility for the Spring 2026 programme is different to in previous years.
The following groups are eligible for the vaccine, but not before 13th April 2026 (this includes from pharmacies):
-
- adults aged 75 years and over
-
- residents in a care home for older adults aged 75 years and over
-
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a
Health conditions and treatments that mean you’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
You may be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine if you have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment.
This can include if you:
-
- are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
-
- have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant
-
- have HIV
-
- have or had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
-
- have a genetic disorder that affects your immune system, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
-
- are taking steroid medicine (depending on the dose)
-
- are having long-term immunosuppressive treatment for a condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), scleroderma or psoriasis
This list is a summary and does not include everything. Speak to your local pharmacy, GP surgery or specialist if you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Often, patients who are ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccination with the NHS are able to receive the vaccine from private providers, for a charge. We will update this page with specific details of providers in our area once this information is clear.
Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine?
The RSV vaccine is available to eligible patients all year-round, however, for eligible patients, Middlewood will be delivering RSV vaccinations to in the same appointment as COVID-19 vaccinations.
The following groups will be offered the RSV vaccine alongside their COVID-19 vaccine:
-
- adults aged 75 years and over
-
- residents in a care home for older adults aged 75 years and over
-
- patients who are registered as housebound
Do these vaccinations protect me from flu?
No – protection against seasonal flu is provided from a separate vaccine that was delivered in late-2025. Eligible patients will be contacted about the next seasonal flu vaccination campaign in the autumn/winter.
When are the clinics scheduled?
Vaccination clinics start from Monday 13th April 2026 and conclude on Saturday 16th May 2026.
Clinics will run regularly at Bollington Medical Centre, Priorslegh Medical Centre and the Schoolhouse Surgery, with a mix of days and times available.
All clinic dates are being managed by the NHS National Booking Service.
Please contact them online at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/ or call 119 to enquire or book in. Alternatively, you can access vaccination clinics via the NHS App.
How do I book a vaccination clinic appointment?
All appointments will be by invitation only and are now live.
If you are eligible for the vaccination programme, you will be invited to book an appointment via the NHS National Booking Service.
When bookings are live, you can access the National Booking Service by clicking: here.
If you are unable to access the National Booking Service online, you can reach them by phone by dialling 119. Alternatively, patients who are signed up to the NHS App can use it to book their vaccination.
We kindly ask that patients do not contact us directly to book vaccination clinic appointments, as all appointments are administered by the NHS National Booking Service.
Please note, as clinics are managed by the National Booking Service, we are unable to accept any patients on a walk-in basis.
We kindly ask that patients only attend on the date that they are booked – anyone arriving to a vaccination clinic without a pre-booked appointment will be turned away.
How do I book a home visit?
Middlewood has a list of patients who are eligible for the vaccine and are also registered as housebound.
We will contact housebound patients in due course to organise vaccination home visits.
If you have been invited to attend a vaccination clinic appointment but you are housebound, please contact the surgery and discuss this with a member of our team.
Please be aware that patients must be entirely housebound to qualify for a vaccination home visit.