The Green Book is an online resource from Public Health England (PHE) and is regularly updated to reflect the latest evidence, guidance and recommendations on all vaccinations.

The Green Book has a chapter on COVID-19 vaccination, which offers guidance on storage, dosage, priority groups and potential adverse effects.

View the Green Book (external website)

Update to Green Book chapter 14a – 21 February 2024

The Green Book has been updated to include:

• eligibility for Spring 2024 campaign, including choice of vaccine type; vaccines being marketed outside of the NHS and more flexibility on schedules for individuals with immunosuppression
• additional clarification in dosing advice for under 5 year olds, repeating advice on second doses

Update to Green Book chapter 14a – 1 September 2023

The Green Book has been updated to include:

• recent information on circulating variants and vaccines
• simplified advice for individuals with severe immunosuppression to align with the changes in primary doses

Update to Green Book chapter 14a - 18 August 2022

The Green Book has been updated to include:

• information on the autumn programme
• variant vaccines
• clarification of information on revaccination
• information about capillary leak syndrome

Update to Green Book chapter 14a -  28 February 2022

The Green Book has been updated to include:

• approval of Novavax
• clarification around deferral after COVID-19 infection
• one-off programme for 5 to 11 year olds who are not in clinical risk groups
• advice on use of the pediatric formulation in those aged 12 years
• spring booster recommendations (including flexibility around timing)
• expectations for an autumn booster
• clarification of the management of individuals with a history of allergic reactions
• updated advice on management of people who have ITP following vaccination

Update to Green Book chapter 14a - 12 January 2022

The Green Book has been updated to include:

• background to include latest data on vaccine effectiveness and booster safety
• clarification and corrections of chronology of booster advice
• clarification of clinical advice about vaccination of 5 to 11 year olds at high risk: interchangeability of adult, fractional and paediatric doses
• management of 5 to 11s who are about to become immunosuppressed
• advice on third primary doses for severe immunosuppression, including updated definitions for severe immunosuppression for younger children

Update to Green Book chapter 14a - 24 December 2021

The Green Book has been updated to include:

• JCVI advice on boosters for 16 and 17 and at risk 12 to 15 year olds, and primary immunisation for 5 to 11 year olds
• information on the paediatric product
• advice about fractional doses
• updated risk for pregnancy
• added reference to guidance on monitoring patients with a history of immune thrombocytopenia

Update to Green Book chapter 14a - 14 December 2021

The Green Book has been updated to:

• include an update on 15 minute wait after mRNA vaccines
• provide advice on heterologous primary courses

View the updates to Green Book chapter 14a (external website).

Update to Green Book chapter 14a - 30 November 2021

The Green Book has been updated to:

• include more background on variants and clinical trials in younger children
• provide advice on offering boosters to 18 to 39 year olds
• provide advice on boosters for severely immunosuppressed after a third dose
• provide advice on second doses of vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years
• explain potential flexibility around schedules in under 18s in a changing epidemiological situation

Update to Green Book chapter 14a - 15 November 2021

The Green Book has been updated to:

• include second doses for 16 to 17 year olds and booster doses for 40 to 49 year olds
• provide further clarification on booster timing flexibility
• provide guidance on deferral after COVID-19 infection in under 18s 
• add other minor edits for clarification

Update to Green Book chapter 14a – 29 October 2021

The Green Book has been updated to:

• improve consistency of wording in the allergy and immunosuppressed sections
• update definitions of clinically vulnerable
• provide advice on further doses for those who have suspected myocarditis or Guillain-Barré Syndrome after vaccination
• clarify flexibility around the booster timing and supply
• provide additional evidence on booster dose effectiveness and on vaccination after monoclonal antibody products

Update to Green Book chapter 14a – 16 September 2021

The Green Book has been updated in relation to allergy management and anaphylaxis relevant to COVID-19 vaccination.

Update to Green Book chapter 14a – 30 July 2021

The Green Book has been updated with two particular clinical updates on Immunosuppressed individuals (page 21) and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) history.

Update to Green Book chapter 14a – 1 July 2021

The Green Book has been updated with a number of changes including: noting that Pfizer vaccine has been approved for those aged 12-15 years, wording on thromboembolic events accompanied by thrombocytopaenia has been updated and dose and schedule wording has been updated.