COVID-19 vaccines give protection against the serious complications of COVID-19 infection. But the protection from previous vaccination weakens over time.
A COVID-19 booster dose helps to boost your immune system. It gives you the best protection available to stop you from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you get COVID-19.
The information on this page is about seasonal boosters.
You can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose at other times of the year if you:
- never had a COVID-19 vaccine
- are pregnant
- are starting treatment that can weaken the immune system and you have not had a booster dose in the previous 6 months
Seasonal COVID-19 booster vaccines
In spring and in autumn, COVID-19 booster vaccines are recommended for people who are most at risk of severe illness.
The spring booster programme runs from 3 April 2025 to the end of May 2025.
You are eligible for a spring booster if you are age:
- 80 or older
- 6 months or older with a weak immune system
- 18 or older living in residential care facilities for older adults
- 70 to 79 and did not get a COVID-19 vaccine in the previous 12 months
If you are eligible for a spring booster vaccine, you should wait at least 3 months since your last COVID-19 vaccination or COVID-19 infection before getting it. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.
If you have any questions about getting a COVID-19 booster vaccine, call HSELive on 1800 700 700.
Where to get a vaccine
Where you get a vaccine depends on your age and circumstances.
Adults and children age 12 and older
Adults and children age 12 and older can get COVID-19 vaccines at:
- participating pharmacies
- GP surgeries offering COVID-19 vaccination
Residential care or home vaccination
HSE vaccination teams will give the vaccine in residential care facilities including nursing homes, and to people who are not able to leave their home.
Children under 12
Children under age 12 who are eligible for vaccination can get the vaccine at a vaccination clinic.
They must have an appointment to get the vaccine.
To make an appointment for your child, call HSELive on freephone 1800 700 700. We share your details with your local vaccination clinic. They will contact you as soon as possible to arrange an appointment.
Children under age 12 cannot get the vaccine at a pharmacy or GP surgery. The vaccine doses offered are different for young children.
Booster dose safety
COVID-19 booster vaccines are recommended in many countries. There have not been any unexpected safety concerns so far. The safety of the vaccines continues to be monitored by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommends that mRNA vaccines are given as booster vaccines.
The most common side effects reported from Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccines are pain at the injection site, headache, fever and tiredness.
Do not get an mRNA booster vaccine if you had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis):
- to trometamol or polyethylene glycol (PEG)
- after a previous mRNA vaccine
Myocarditis and pericarditis are inflammatory heart conditions and are very rare risks of mRNA vaccines.
These rare side effects are more common in men age under 30, after their second primary vaccine dose. The risk is lower following booster vaccination.
If you have any concerns about COVID-19 vaccines, talk to your GP, nurse, pharmacist or vaccinator.
COVID-19 booster vaccination while pregnant
Read about booster doses needed during pregnancy.