Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the guidance is on receiving the covid-19 booster for people who have received one or both doses of the covid-19 vaccine abroad.

The offer of COVID-19 booster vaccination remains open for everyone including those who received one or both doses of the vaccine abroad. The minimum dosage interval for booster doses is three months from a final primary dose. For those requiring one or more United Kingdom doses, the three-month interval is taken from the final ‘additional’ dose given in the UK. Doses do not have to be recorded in the NHS App in order to access vaccination. The UK Health Security Agency’s guidance sets out eligibility for those vaccinated overseas and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccinations-received-overseas

The National Health Service has developed a service record to vaccinations received overseas. This service is available to individuals that have been vaccinated with specific vaccines anywhere in the world and reside in England. Face-to-face appointments at a specific vaccination centre can be booked to update patient record within the National Immunisation Management Service (NIMS). If an individual has their overseas vaccine recorded in NIMS, they will automatically be called for a booster dose when eligible. Individuals whose vaccinations are not recorded in NIMS in England will be unable to book an appointment for a booster vaccination through the National Booking System. However, these individuals can access a booster dose at a walk-in centre.