COVID-19 (coronavirus) can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.
Some people are at higher risk of being hospitalised or having a severe illness due to COVID-19 illness.
For most people who are at risk of severe illness, a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended once a year.
You should get a COVID-19 vaccine twice a year if you have a weak immune system. This is because the protection from vaccination weakens more quickly.
If you are at higher risk from COVID-19, follow the advice below on how to protect yourself. Use your own judgement to stay safe in public and crowded places.
People at higher risk
People age 65 and older are at the highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19 if they have not been vaccinated.
Serious illness means that you may need to go to hospital, an intensive care unit (ICU), or be put on a ventilator to help you breathe. There is also a risk of death.
Conditions that put you at higher risk
You are also at higher risk from COVID-19 if you have certain long-term health conditions.
Weak immune system
Having a weak immune system (immunocompromised) also puts you at higher risk.
COVID-19 vaccines you should get if you have a weak immune system
If you have COVID-19 symptoms
Urgent advice: Phone your GP if
you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are:
- feeling very unwell
- at the highest risk from COVID-19 and may be eligible for COVID-19 medication
You do not need a COVID-19 test unless a GP or health professional advises one.
You should also:
- stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone
- avoid contact with other people, especially other people at higher risk from COVID-19
Do these even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, or had COVID-19 in the past.
Treatment for COVID-19
There are medicines for early treatment of some people with COVID-19. Most people who get COVID-19 don’t need this treatment. It’s available to people who are at the highest risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.
Treatment for people at the highest risk from COVID-19
How to protect yourself
Keeping up to date with your vaccines is the most important thing you can do to avoid serious COVID-19 illness. Talk to your GP or hospital care team if you have any questions about vaccination.
Do
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try to avoid crowded indoor spaces, if possible
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wear a face mask, if you would like to
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keep active and look after your general health - this will improve your chance of recovery if you get COVID-19
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wash or sanitise your hands often
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continue to use the healthcare services you need - ask or remind healthcare workers about precautions if needed
Don't
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do not have contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19
Going out
Going out is good for your health and wellbeing. The risk of catching COVID-19 is low if you keep away from other people.
You can tell people who provide services to you that you need to be extra careful to avoid COVID-19. They will usually try to fit you in at a quiet time and can take extra care to protect you.
If you have an appointment with your GP or at a hospital or clinic, it is important to attend.
You are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 if you are in a place where there are large numbers of people indoors.
Staying safe at home
Try to keep the number of people who come into your house to visit, work or provide healthcare to a few trustworthy people. Then you can feel safe at home and relax there.
Check that anyone who comes to the house is well when they arrive. Make sure they have no symptoms of COVID-19.
Ask them to:
- clean their hands when they arrive
- keep some distance from you whenever possible
What the people you live with should do
Other people you live with can protect you by:
- keeping up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination
- washing their hands properly when they come into the house
- opening windows to let fresh air into shared spaces
- cleaning objects and surfaces they often touch such as door handles, kettles and phones
If anyone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay at home and avoid contact with you completely.