Protect yourself against COVID-19
It is important to get all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure you are as protected as possible.
It is never too late to get your first, second or third dose of the life-saving vaccine. You can book an appointment online or by phone, or drop in to one of our local walk-in centres.
The good news is, there will be a walk-in vaccination clinic near you.
You can visit any walk-in clinic that is convenient to you – your nearest option might be in a different borough. See the Grab a Jab site for more options.
- Second doses for ages 18+ can be given 8 weeks after the first dose.
- Second doses for ages 12 – 17 can be given from 12 weeks after the first dose.
- Boosters for ages 16+ can be given from 3 months after the second dose.
- Spring boosters for ages 75+ and immunosuppressed can be given around 6 months after previous dose.
Walk-in vaccination sites in Barnet
Gateway Chemist – 334A Regents Park Road, N3 2LN
- Monday to Friday 9:00am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 5:30pm. Saturdays 9:00am – 1:00pm.
- Walk-in, or book on the national booking system
- Vaccine: Pfizer
- Open to people aged 16 and over
Cullimore Chemist – 13-15 Glengall Road, Edgware, HA8 8TB
- Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 1:00pm
- Walk-in, or book on the national booking system
- Vaccine: Pfizer 1st and 2nd doses and Moderna 2nd dose
- Open to people aged 12 and over
Mango Pharmacy – 98 High Street, Edgware, London, HA8 7HF
- Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm. Saturdays 10:00am – 3:00pm.
- Note – Closed on Friday 15 April and also on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 April
- Walk-in, or book on the national booking system
- Vaccine: Pfizer
- Open to people aged 12 and over
NHS rolls out COVID vaccine to 5 to 11 year olds
Children aged 5 - 11 are eligible for two doses of the vaccine following updated JCVI guidance, which recommended children can benefit from non-urgent offer of the vaccine.
The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.
Families can also use vaccine walk-ins - you can find Barnet walk-in vaccination sites on our website and they're also listed on the North Central London CCG website.
NHS staff have already been vaccinating children aged 5 to 11 who have medical conditions that put them at increased risk from COVID-19 or who live with someone with a weakened immune system.
Children aged 5 -11 who are in a clinical risk group or who live with someone who is immunosuppressed will be able to get the first dose of the COVID vaccine in line with advice set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The vaccine has been tested and is safe for use in this age group.
5 to 11 year olds will be offered two doses of the vaccine, usually 8 weeks apart. It is important to get two doses of the vaccine, as this will provide longer lasting protection.
A third primary dose for age 5 to 11 year olds, is to be offered to children who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second COVID-19 doses. This third dose should be given at least 8 weeks after the second dose.
Parents and guardians will get an invitation from a local NHS service such as a GP surgery or a hospital specialist to make an appointment for their child.
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11
Third doses and booster doses for people with weakened immune systems
If you had a weakened immune system when you had your first two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccine may not have given you as much protection as it can for people who do not have a weakened immune system.
A 3rd dose, also known as a 3rd primary dose, may help give you better protection.
The 3rd vaccine dose for people with a weakened immune system is different to a booster vaccine dose.
If you’ve had the 3rd dose for people with a severely weakened immune system, a booster dose is then available for everyone aged 16 and over. Find out who can get the COVID-19 booster dose.
A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine helps improve the protection you have from your first three doses of the vaccine.
It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.
Who can get a 3rd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
A 3rd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a weakened immune system when they had their first two doses.
This includes people who had or have:
- a blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
- a weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
- an organ or bone marrow transplant
- a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
- a condition or treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a 3rd dose
If your immunosuppression started at least two weeks after your second dose of vaccination, it is unlikely you will need a third dose at this stage, but please discuss this with your specialist.
Want to get the jab but afraid of needles?
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and the best protection against coronavirus. But what if you want to have the jab, but you’re scared of needles?
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. The charity Anxiety UK estimates that up to 10% of UK adults have some degree of needle phobia.
The good news is, NHS vaccination teams have lots of experience of helping nervous patients get their jabs – so please let them know about any worries you have on arrival.
Want more reassurance? Read this excellent article which is full of practical advice.
You do not need to have a GP or an NHS number to get the COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone in the UK. This includes all migrants.
If you don’t have an NHS number you can contact your local GP surgery to organise the vaccine (you can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient) or attend a COVID-19 vaccination walk-in centre or pop-up centre.
You will never be forced to have the COVID-19 vaccine and it does not affect your asylum or refugee status.
No immigration checks are needed to get tested, treated or vaccinated for COVID-19.
Protect yourself against flu too
Finally, don't forget to get your flu vaccine too, to make sure you are fully protected.
Flu vaccination is important because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
- getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.
Where to get the flu vaccine
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service
- your midwifery service if you're pregnant
- a hospital appointment
If you do not have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, you do not have to tell the surgery. This will be done for you.
