COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A

Autumn/Winter Vaccination Campaign

The Covid vaccination programme in the UK started on 1 September 2025.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has given the same advice for autumn/winter as it did for the spring programme. It advises that the following groups should be vaccinated:adults aged 75 years and over, residents in a care home for older adults, people aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or medical treatment (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book). This includes people with blood cancer or a history of blood cancer.In England, the Department of Health and Social Care has accepted this advice. Please note: there are variations within the devolved nations, and different processes may apply.

Why vaccinate?

People with blood cancer should continue to take up COVID-19 vaccines when offered through seasonal programmes as it protects them from serious illness and hospitalisation.

Like all drugs, vaccines have potential side effects but the current evidence indicates that for people with immunosuppression caused by blood cancer, including CLL and SLL, or its treatments, the additional protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines is very likely to outweigh the small risk of side effects or complications.

The QResearch study also showed that continuing to have doses of COVID-19 vaccines is important for people with blood cancer to maintain their immunity. Repeat vaccination is important because COVID-19 vaccines are updated seasonally so that they are more effective against current or recently circulating variants of the virus, much like flu vaccines.