We understand that information about vaccines is really important to our community, so we’ve created this handy page to give you all of the latest information about Covid vaccines.

Should I have the Covid vaccine?

We strongly recommend having a chat with your own medical team about whether or not you should have the Covid vaccine, as they will have a good understanding of your own personal circumstances and medical history, and will be the best people to advise you about this.

Historically, there has been a lot of debate in the aplastic anaemia community about vaccines in general. This is because there have been odd cases of a relapse occurring after vaccination. It is important to note that while cases of this happening have been reported, it is only a very small number of people. Understandably, in the past, this has led to people being extra cautious in the past, and not having the flu vaccine, for example.

When Covid came along, this changed things drastically for people with aplastic anaemia. At the start of the pandemic, Covid was so dangerous that having the vaccine was more important, and that the benefits of being vaccinated outweighed the risk of becoming seriously unwell with Covid. As a result, most people with aplastic anaemia were advised by their medical teams to have the Covid vaccine.

Nowadays, although Covid and other viruses such as Flu are still circulating, the approach to being vaccinated is more individualised, and will depend on things such as your age, immune system, medical history and lifestyle. Your medical team will be able to help you to take into account your own circumstances, and make a decision that feels right for you.

Will the Covid-19 vaccine work effectively for aplastic anaemia patients?

During the pandemic, The Aplastic Anaemia Trust funded a study into whether people with aplastic anaemia or PNH would respond to the Covid vaccine. The study found that after one dose of the vaccine, people with aplastic anaemia or PNH were less likely to mount an immune response than healthy volunteers. However, after a second dose of the vaccine, there was a huge increase in the number of people who mounted an immune response. After dose two, nearly 100% of participants mounted an immune response. The number of people with aplastic anaemia or PNH who mounted an immune response after two doses was the same that was seen amongst healthy volunteers. The conclusion was that for people with aplastic anaemia, it was particularly important to have the second dose.

More information about the study is available here.

How and when can I get a vaccine? 

Spring Booster Vaccinations - April-June 2026

At present, Covid vaccinations are not available to book via the NHS. However, the Spring Booster Campaign will begin in April 2026. People in the following categories may be eligible for a Covid booster. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more information about whether you are eligible, and help you to make an informed decision about whether the vaccine is suitable for you.

• Adults aged 75 and over
• Residents in a care home for older adults
• People aged six months and over who are defined as 'immunosuppressed' due to disease or treatment - this includes people who are living with aplastic anaemia and those who have received a stem cell or bone marrow transplant in the past.

If you and your doctor feel that it would be beneficial for you to have a booster dose of the Covid vaccine, you may be invited to attend a vaccination appointment by your GP surgery or local health authority, or it may be possible for you to visit a walk in clinic, for example.

If you live in England, you can to book a Covid vaccination via the NHS website by clicking on the button below.

NHS England - Book a Covid vaccination

If you live in Wales, you will likely be invited to book an appointment for your Covid booster by your GP surgery. The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board website has more information about the Covid booster, which you can find here. 

If you live in Scotland, NHS Scotland will contact you with information about how to book an appointment for your Covid booster. More information is available on the NHS Scot website, which you can find here.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you may be able to arrange a Covid vaccination at your GP surgery or a local pharmacy.

Last Updated: 9th April 2026