Vaccination for coronavirus

Guy's and St Thomas' is vaccinating patients against coronavirus (COVID-19) in line with the Government's guidelines.

How to book

From Monday 4 April, COVID-19 vaccines will be available at the Trust for anyone over 5 years old. You can book an appointment using the national booking system on the NHS website.

Where are vaccinations taking place?

Please be aware that vaccinations will not take place inside Evelina London. They will take place in a dedicated vaccination centre for children and young people in the Atrium at Guy’s Hospital.

Please remember to bring along your red book (personal child health record) to the appointment so that we can record the vaccination in it.

Children under 12 who are at higher risk

We advise anyone under 12 who has a history of heart, lung, kidney, liver or neurological conditions or is currently under the care of a hospital to please email us at CovidVaccineBookings@gstt.nhs.uk or call 0207 188 4040 to make a booking.

If you are feeling unwell, please wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should wait 12 weeks before you have your vaccine.

For more information about vaccinations, including maps and frequently asked questions, visit the Guy’s and St Thomas’ website.

More information on the NHS website

Find out how to book a first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations for children.

Find out more about who can get the vaccine.

What to expect at your COVID-19 vaccination

Watch a short animation about what children and young people can expect at their COVID-19 vaccination. This animation was made by Jodie Sech, a member of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ vaccination team.

What to expect at your COVID-19 vaccination

Today's the day I have my COVID-19 vaccine. I'm going to explain what happens when you come to a vaccine centre like the ones at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals.

First we check in with a member of staff, they're very friendly and ask for details like my name and date of birth.

Don't forget to sanitise your hands.

You may need to wait until it's your turn.

While we wait, let's talk about how the vaccine helps protect you and others around you.

Sometimes we come into contact with harmful germs which make us sick.

Our bodies try to fight off these germs by making special cells called antibodies, but sometimes we need a little extra help.

Vaccines help by teaching our bodies to recognise a germ and make antibodies to fight it.

Getting vaccinated means we're less likely to get COVID-19, or if we do catch it, it helps us to feel less unwell.

It also helps to stop spreading it to those around you keeping your friends and family safe. Oh it's my turn!

The vaccinator asks us a few questions to check it's okay for me to have the vaccine.

Don't be afraid to ask questions yourself, the staff are really friendly and helpful.

The vaccine is given by an injection into the arm, it's a small needle and you may feel a sharp scratch.

Just take a deep breath in and out. Done.

Wow that was so quick I hardly noticed.

You may be asked to wait for a few minutes afterwards just to check if you are okay.

After your vaccine it's normal to feel tired and your arm might ache a little bit so just take plenty of rest and be proud of yourself, you're helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.

What is it like at our vaccination centre?

We have planned our vaccination centre with children in mind.

When you arrive, you’ll meet our friendly staff.

We will welcome you and your parents or carers.

You’ll be invited to take a seat in our relaxing waiting area.

Waiting area inside the vaccination tent at St Thomas' Hospital.

You can tell us if anything is worrying you about the jab and we can help.

Vaccinator Chris with a sign that says COVID-19 Vaccination Centre.

You’ll be invited to our “Pod”, where we have puzzles, comic books and toys. Then, you’ll receive your jab.

Vaccinator with PPE waving

You’ll be invited to stay with us for a little while afterwards.

Evelina sign inside the vaccination centre at St Thomas' Hospital.

You can have some snacks and we will give you an exciting certificate, which you can put up on your wall at home. You can also have your picture taken and send this to your friends to show them how brave you have been.

child with a vaccination certificate

If you need more jabs in the future, we’ll be in touch.

Learn more about what it is like to visit our child-friendly vaccination centre.

Allergic reactions to coronavirus vaccines are very rare. They are as rare as allergic reactions to other common vaccines your child has received. Children with food allergies (including multiple foods and severe anaphylaxis), hayfever, allergic asthma, and eczema or urticarial rashes are not at higher risk of having an allergic reaction to coronavirus vaccines. These children can have the coronavirus vaccine at any vaccination centre.

Children with allergies to medicines (such as antibiotics or ibuprofen) can safely have the vaccine. Children who are receiving allergy desensitisation treatments, or being treated with the medicine omalizumab (Xolair®), can also have the coronavirus vaccine.

For children who have had confirmed anaphylaxis to a vaccine, or are allergic to any of the ingredients in the coronavirus vaccine (a list is available at vaccination centres), please talk to their GP or allergy doctor as it might be recommended to have the vaccine in a supervised, hospital setting.

The staff at the vaccination centres are trained to recognise severe allergic reactions and have the resources to treat them.