Can I pay for a COVID vaccine this winter? (2026/27)

Every autumn, the same question comes up at the counter: "can I pay for a COVID vaccine if I'm not eligible on the NHS?" It's a fair question — NHS eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine narrows each year, so more people find themselves outside the free groups even though they'd still like the protection. Here's who qualifies for a free NHS COVID vaccine this winter, who tends to choose the private route, and what a private COVID vaccination at Curo Pharmacy actually involves.

Who gets a free NHS COVID vaccine this autumn?

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), eligibility for the 2026 autumn COVID-19 vaccine is unchanged from recent years and covers three groups:

• Adults aged 75 and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed — including those who have had an organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant, anyone on systemic steroids for more than a month, people living with HIV, those on immunosuppressive biological therapy, anyone having chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and people with certain blood cancers or genetic immune disorders

UKHSA notes that "the eligibility is the same across the 4 nations of the UK," and that the vaccine "should usually be offered no earlier than around 6 months after the last vaccine dose." Booking opened on the NHS website for appointments from 1 October 2026. If you think you may be eligible, check and book via the NHS National Booking Service, or see our NHS COVID-19 vaccination page for how to find Curo Pharmacy as a provider.

Not eligible for a free NHS COVID vaccine? Who tends to pay privately

If you're not in one of the groups above, you're not eligible for a free NHS COVID vaccine this season — but you can still choose to have one privately. People who typically ask about a private COVID booster include:

• Adults under 75 who are otherwise healthy and simply want continued protection
• Carers and household contacts of someone who is elderly or clinically vulnerable
• People travelling internationally who want protection before a trip
• Anyone whose last dose was some time ago and who wants a top-up outside the NHS seasonal window

These are reasonable examples of who chooses the private route, not a clinical recommendation — if you're unsure whether you need a vaccine at all, that's a conversation to have with our pharmacist when you book, or with your GP.

If you've been searching for a COVID vaccine near me or wondering where to pay for a COVID vaccine, this is exactly the gap the private service fills. It's one of the most common questions we get asked in the pharmacy from people looking for a COVID jab in Blackburn outside the NHS programme.

What does a private COVID vaccination at Curo Pharmacy involve?

Our private COVID-19 vaccination service is a single dose of the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine, costing £95. It's available to adults aged 18 and over who aren't eligible for the free NHS vaccine, want a travel booster, or simply want protection outside the NHS seasonal campaign.

Before vaccinating, our pharmacist runs a short suitability check covering your health, history and any previous doses. The vaccine itself is given by a trained vaccinator in our private consultation room and takes minutes, followed by a brief observation period. You'll leave with a certificate of vaccination, useful for travel or employment records.

In most cases, a private COVID vaccine can be given in the same visit as a private flu jab (£25) — worth asking about if you're covering both.

Common side effects

Most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild and settle within about a week. In NHS wording, the most commonly reported effects include a sore arm from the injection, feeling tired, a headache, feeling achy, and mild flu-like symptoms. Resting and taking paracetamol (if suitable for you) can help. For the full, up-to-date list of side effects and when to seek advice, see the NHS COVID-19 vaccine page.

How to book

Three ways to book a private COVID vaccination at Curo Pharmacy:

• Call us on 01254 660473 and we'll book you in
• Use the enquiry form on our private COVID-19 vaccination page and a member of the team will respond within one working day
• Walk in during opening hours — online booking is coming soon

Other winter vaccines

COVID-19 isn't the only vaccine worth thinking about this winter. We also offer a private flu jab for £25 for anyone not eligible on the NHS, alongside free NHS flu, RSV and MenB services where you qualify. See all winter vaccines at Curo Pharmacy for the full picture, NHS and private, in one place.