Who is at high risk from coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out who is considered at high risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus (COVID-19), despite vaccination, and what services are available.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.
At some point during the COVID-19 pandemic you may have been told you were at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 (sometimes called clinically vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable). You may also have been advised to stay at home (shield).
For most people at high risk from COVID-19, vaccination has significantly reduced this risk. You can follow the same advice as everyone else on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.
Some people continue to be at high risk from COVID-19, despite vaccination.
Read the guidance for people previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable on GOV.UK
You or your child may continue to be at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, despite vaccination, if you have:
- Down's syndrome
- certain types of cancer (such as a blood cancer like leukaemia or lymphoma)
- sickle cell disease
- certain conditions affecting your blood
- chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5
- severe liver disease
- had an organ or bone marrow transplant
- certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)
- HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
- a condition affecting your immune system
- a rare condition affecting the brain or nerves (multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease or myasthenia gravis)
- a severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
- severe or multiple learning disabilities (or you're on the learning disability register)
- a weakened immune system due to a medical treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
You may be advised to take extra steps or follow additional advice to protect yourself from COVID-19.
If you, your child or someone you live with continues to be at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, you may be eligible for:
- treatments if you have symptoms of COVID-19
- free COVID-19 tests if you are eligible
- an additional primary dose (3rd dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine for people with a severely weakened immune system
- a seasonal booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
There is also extra advice on keeping yourself safe if you're at high risk from COVID-19.
The NHS will usually contact you to let you know you are eligible for treatments or additional COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you think you're eligible for an additional primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or a spring booster but have not been contacted, you can book a COVID-19 vaccination online or find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.
Research shows there are other things that can make you more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19, including if you are:
- aged 60 or over – your risk increases as you get older
- pregnant – read more about pregnancy and COVID-19
- not vaccinated against COVID-19 – read more about how to get a COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you are aged 60 or over, pregnant or unvaccinated.