Vaccines are vital for protecting the population of Kent and Medway; vaccines are the best defence we have against viruses including flu, Covid-19, meningitis, and measles, mumps and rubella.
Eligible residents are encouraged to protect themselves by making sure they are up-to-date with all their vaccinations.
Vaccines are extremely safe. All vaccines must go through the same regulatory approval process as any medicines to make sure they meet strict safety standards and offer high levels of protection.
Vaccine helpline
If you need help with anything relating to vaccines, phone: 03000 810 007
The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
The Covid-19 spring booster programme is now live. The spring vaccination is available until 30 June this year.
People eligible for a spring booster include:
- adults aged 75 years and over by 30 June 2024
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed.
The NHS is sending texts, emails, NHS App messages or letters to those who are eligible, but you do not have to wait for the invite to book an appointment or have your vaccine.
- The NHS National Booking System is open for bookings – appointments start on 22 April.
- Phone 119 for free if you can’t get online (translators are available)
- If you are aged 16 and over you can also use the NHS App.
- Parents or carers can book a Covid-19 vaccination for children under 16 on their behalf.
Alternatively, you can attend a walk-in clinic or the health and wellbeing bus. Locations can be found on the map.
- Children aged six months and up, who are immunosuppressed, can be vaccinated at the Canterbury Sea Cadets clinic, Vauxhall Road, CT1 1ZN.
Flu vaccines are safe and effective. They're offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.
The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn before flu starts spreading. The seasonal flu campaign runs from September to March.
You can have a free NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service (if you're aged 18 or over)
- some maternity services if you're pregnant
- catch-up community clinics (for children).
The children's nasal spray flu vaccine is given to:
- children aged two or three on 31 August 2023 (born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021)
- all primary school children (Reception to Year 6)
- all secondary school children (Year 7 to Year 11)
- children aged two to 17 with certain long-term health conditions.
Babies and children aged six months to two years with certain health conditions will be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray.
Find out more and book a community clinic for children aged two or three, primary school children and secondary school children.
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine.
It protects against three serious illnesses:
- measles
- mumps
- rubella (german measles).
These highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people.
Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
The MMR vaccine is given to babies and young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.
The first dose is given when children are one, the second at three years and four months.
If you have not had two doses, you can ask your GP practice.
If your child has missed their MMR before starting school, you can also book a catch-up vaccination for your child at a community clinic or via your GP.
Clinics are available on the following dates:
Saturday, 27 April
Sevenoaks Hospital, Sevenoaks
Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend
College Road Clinic, Margate
Dover Big Local Community Hub, Dover
Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, Tonbridge
Clover Street Clinic, Chatham
Saturday, 11 May
The Heathside Centre, Maidstone
Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend
Exchange House, Canterbury
Sheppey Hospital, Sheerness
Hawkinge Community Hall, Hawkinge
Saturday, 18 May
Sevenoaks Hospital, Sevenoaks
9th Scout Hall, Dartford
College Road Clinic, Margate
Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, Tonbridge
Clover Street Clinic, Chatham
Kennington Scout Hall, Ashford
Tuesday, 28 May
Deal Community Clinic, Deal
The City Praise Centre, Gravesend
Wednesday, 29 May
Greenbanks, Margate
9th Scout Hall, Dartford
Thursday, 30 May
Folkestone Early Years Centre, Folkestone
Exchange House, Canterbury
31st May
Greenfields Children's Centre, Maidstone
Tesco Crooksfoot, Ashford
Saturday, 8 June
St Bartholomew's Church Hall, Herne Bay
St Mary's Parish Hall, Dover
The Heathside Centre, Maidstone
Sheppey Hospital, Sheerness
Saturday, 22 June
College Road Clinic, Margate
Sevenoaks Hospital, Sevenoaks
Clover Street Clinic, Chatham
