COVID-19, flu and winter vaccines: what people with leukaemia need to know this autumn

Many people with leukaemia can have an autumn COVID-19 vaccine because they have a weakened immune system.

Across the UK, people aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system may be able to have an autumn COVID-19 vaccine. This can include people with blood cancer and people having treatment that weakens their immune system.

If you are not sure whether you can have the vaccine, speak to your healthcare team.

How you get your vaccine depends on where you live in the UK.

England: COVID-19 vaccines are being offered from October. If you can have the vaccine, you can book through the NHS App, online or by calling 119. You do not need to wait for the NHS to contact you.

Scotland: the winter vaccination programme starts from September. If you can have a vaccine, NHS Scotland should contact you with an appointment or tell you how to book one.

Wales: the autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme starts in October. If you can have the vaccine, your local health board should contact you with an appointment. The programme runs until 31 January 2027.

Northern Ireland: people aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system can have an autumn COVID-19 vaccine. Check with your GP surgery or a participating community pharmacy to find out how to get yours.

If you think you should be able to have a COVID-19 vaccine but have not been contacted, you can speak to your GP or healthcare team.

Many people with leukaemia can also have a free flu vaccine. This includes people whose immune system is weakened by leukaemia or their treatment.

People who live with someone who has a weakened immune system may also be able to have a free flu vaccine.

Flu vaccination programmes are running across the UK this autumn. How you get your vaccine will depend on where you live.

If you can have both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, you may be offered them at the same appointment.

If you are not sure whether you can have a free flu vaccine, ask your GP or healthcare team.

You may also hear about the RSV vaccine this autumn.

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It is a common virus that usually causes coughs and colds. However, it can make some people seriously unwell.

The rules about who can have an RSV vaccine have changed this year. In England and Wales, some people aged 65 to 74 with a weakened immune system can now have one.

This may include some people with blood cancer or people having treatment that weakens their immune system.

The rules for RSV are different from the rules for flu and COVID-19 vaccines. This means that being able to have a flu or COVID-19 vaccine does not automatically mean you can have an RSV vaccine.

If you think this may apply to you, speak to your GP or healthcare team.

The best time to have a vaccine can depend on the treatment you are having.

Your healthcare team may suggest having your vaccine at a particular time during your treatment. This can give your body the best chance of responding to the vaccine.

Do not delay or change your treatment so that you can have a vaccine. Speak to your healthcare team first. They can advise you on the best time to have it.

Some people with blood cancer can have treatment for COVID-19 if they become infected.

These treatments can help reduce the risk of becoming seriously unwell. They need to be given soon after you become unwell, so it is important to know what to do if you develop symptoms or test positive.

How you get COVID-19 treatment depends on where you live in the UK.

If you have been told that you may be able to have COVID-19 treatment, make sure you know who to contact if you become unwell.

If you are not sure whether you can have COVID-19 treatment, speak to your healthcare team.

You can find more information on our website about vaccinations and leukaemia. This includes why vaccines are important, which vaccines you may be offered and what you need to know if you are having treatment.

Vaccinations webpage