The government has signed off recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) about who should get a COVID-19 jab in the spring 2027 campaign, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced. The JCVI is the independent panel of experts that advises ministers on immunisation.

Key points

  • Who is eligible — people aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, plus all residents of care homes for older adults.
  • Same groups as before — the eligible cohorts match those used in earlier spring COVID-19 programmes.
  • Minister's message — Dame Diana Johnson urged everyone offered a jab to take it up.

The two groups covered by the campaign are unchanged from previous spring vaccination rounds. Everyone aged six months and above who is immunosuppressed will be able to receive a vaccine, as will all residents of care homes for older adults.

Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety, said older adults and immunosuppressed people continue to face a greater risk from the virus. She said the government would follow the JCVI's expert advice and offer vaccinations to those at highest risk in spring 2027, adding that vaccination is the best protection against serious illness and encouraging all eligible people to accept the offer.

Ministers said they remain committed to shielding the most vulnerable from serious outcomes of COVID-19 through vaccination, guided by the independent committee.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

For most people in Britain, nothing changes: the spring 2027 campaign will not be a general rollout, so healthy adults and children outside the named groups should not expect an invitation. The practical steps fall to those who are eligible and to care home staff.

  • Check your status — if you are immunosuppressed, make sure your GP record reflects this before the campaign, as eligibility runs from six months of age.
  • Care home residents — homes will again need to plan for vaccination visits; families can ask managers when jabs are due.
  • Wait for your invite — the NHS will contact eligible people; there is no need to book before the programme opens.