COVID-19 vaccination FAQs: students in Higher Education Institutions

Contents

 

Official

Publication code: C1317

18 June 2021

How will students be invited for the COVID-19 vaccination?

The COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to everyone aged 18 or over at local sites run by GPs or community pharmacies, at larger vaccination centres and in some hospitals. Local areas may also work with partners to set up “pop up” temporary clinics at locations convenient for students to access, for example, on university campuses.

Students registered with a GP can book their appointment at a larger vaccination centre, a community pharmacy run site or at some GP run sites through the National Booking Service website or by phoning 119.

Those who are registered with a GP will also receive an invitation to be vaccinated from their GP practice.

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice. GP practices should support unregistered patients and those without an NHS number to access the vaccine; they can record these vaccinations and be paid for them.

Some students may have already received their vaccinations if they are at higher risk of COVID-19, are on a placement as a frontline health or care worker, are an unpaid carer, or are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed.

What do students do if they are registered with a GP in their hometown, but not where they study, or vice versa?

If a student aged 18 or over is registered with a GP practice, they can book both appointments online through the National Booking Service at a location that is convenient to them, or book a first dose through their GP and a second dose in a different location through the National Booking Service.

How can students access their second dose if they are in a different location to where they had their first dose?

We have published FAQs on Second Doses in general here.

In general, patients should return to the place they had their first dose to have their second dose. However, it is appropriate for students to receive their second dose in a different location to their first dose due to their circumstances. The National Booking Service has an option to book or re-arrange the second vaccination appointment at a different location to the first appointment.

If a student had a first dose in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but is in England at the time of their second dose, they should either 1) book a second dose through the National Booking Service (if they are registered with a GP in England and therefore have an English NHS number); 2) register with a GP in England and book an appointment that way; or 3) approach a local GP and ask to be vaccinated as an unregistered patient.

We are working with the NHS in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to ensure that records of vaccinations in those nations flow into a patient’s English NHS record.

Can students due to start a health or social care placement be vaccinated before their placement starts?

All adults in the UK aged 18 or over should be offered their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 19 July 2021.

Anyone who starts working in the NHS or in social care and has not been vaccinated should be offered the vaccination through occupational health departments or be aware of where they can access the vaccination through their employer.

The second dose should not be brought forward in these circumstances.

What if a student is eligible for their first dose in England, but will be abroad for their second dose (e.g overseas placement)?

The student should contact the health service in the country where they are resident at the time the second dose is due.

How can students obtain a COVID vaccine certificate?

There is information on GOV.uk here about COVID vaccine certification.

Where can students find more information?

Students should be directed to nhs.uk/covid-vaccination for more information about the COVID-19 vaccination.

International students FAQs

Are international students eligible for the vaccination?

Anybody aged 18 or over in the UK is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination for free, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

Do international students need to pay for the vaccine?

Nobody in England has to pay for the COVID-19 vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccination is free of charge and does not count as the kind of care that requires payment.

International students or anyone seeing requests for payment should report this activity to their university institution and to Action Fraud. More information on COVID-19 vaccine scams is on the Action Fraud website here.

Do international students need to be registered with a GP to get a vaccination?

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.

How does an international student get an NHS number?

International students can approach their local GP practice, saying they would like to register for the purposes of receiving the vaccine.

Are any dependents of international students also eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination?

Anyone in England is eligible for the vaccine if they fall within the current eligibility criteria set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and should come forward once it is their turn.

How does an international student get a vaccine?

International students should be encouraged to register with a GP and get an NHS number.

An NHS number can be found on any letter the NHS has sent you, on a prescription, or by logging in to a GP practice online service. You can also find an NHS number using this tool.

It is possible to request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient by approaching a local GP practice.

While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.

Students can be directed to nhs.uk/register for more information on GP registration.

If an international student is not registered with a GP, will they still be invited for their vaccination?

Students who are not registered with a GP will not be proactively contacted by a local NHS service. We encourage all students to register with a GP and they can be directed to www.nhs.uk/register for more information.

However, international students can book their vaccination appointments via the National Booking Service with their NHS number if they have previously received NHS treatment. You can also find an NHS number using this tool.

What should an international student do if they’ve received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination abroad, and it is not a vaccine that is being offered in England?

If a person has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine overseas that is also available in the UK, they should receive the same vaccine for their second dose. If the vaccine they received for their first dose is not available in the UK, the most similar alternative should be offered as per the advice here (see sections on vaccine interchangeability guidance).

The student should contact a GP to ensure they receive an appropriate vaccine for their second dose.

Where can students find more information?

Students should be directed to nhs.uk/covid-vaccination for more information about the Covid-19 vaccine.

Students should be directed to www.gov.uk for information on COVID restrictions.