3rd & 4th doses COVID-19 vaccination for MDS patients

10 Mar. 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for people with a severely weakened immune system - Updated March 9th, 2022

A 3rd dose and booster dose (4th dose) of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses.

This includes patients who had or have a blood cancer such as MDS or CMML and patients who had a bone marrow transplant.

If you're booking a 3rd dose all of these must apply:

  • you’ve received a letter from your GP or hospital specialist inviting you to book a 3rd dose
  • you’re aged 16 years old or over
  • it’s been 26 days since your previous dose - you'll be shown appointments from 8 weeks (56 days) after your 2nd dose
  • You’ll need to bring the letter with you to your appointment.

If you do not have a letter from your GP or hospital specialist inviting you for a 3rd dose, you must bring either:

  • a hospital letter that describes the condition or treatment that caused you to have a severely weakened immune system at the time of your 1st or 2nd dose
  • a prescription or a medicine box with your name and the date showing when the medicine was prescribed - this must show that you had a severely weakened immune system at the time of your 1st or 2nd dose
  • A clinician at the site will check to make sure that you’re eligible for a 3rd dose.

If you think you’re eligible for a 3rd dose but you do not have a suitable letter, prescription or medicine box, please contact your GP or hospital specialist.

If you're booking a booster (4th dose) all of these must apply:

  • you have a letter from a GP or hospital specialist inviting you to book a 3rd dose or booster (4th dose) for people with a severely weakened immune system
  • you're aged 16 years old or over
  • it's been 2 months (61 days) since your previous dose - you'll be shown appointments from 3 months (91 days) after your previous dose
  • You'll need to bring the letter with you to your appointment.

A clinician at the site will check to make sure that you're eligible for a booster (4th dose).

If you think you're eligible for a booster (4th dose) but you do not have a suitable letter, please contact your GP or hospital specialist.

Learn more: 

MDS Patient Support

Covid Vaccines and Treatments for MDS Patients – 21st February 2022 status - Postal Letter to Members

Please read this clear summary and guidelines for MDS patients. Print it and share it with your GP if necessary.

Download PDF

MDS Patient Support

Please know we are continuing to communicate with NHSE to improve the situation on both vaccination and treatment

Which medical evidence can be used to confirm your eligibility for the 3rd and 4th doses? (Excerpt from the NHS document)

"If you are eligible and you do not have a referral letter from your GP or hospital consultant, you can still opt for a walk-in vaccination appointment, but you will need to present relevant medical documentation confirming your condition and have an assessment on site by a qualified healthcare professional.
It is important to be aware that not every walk-in site is able to offer vaccination for people who are severely immunosuppressed, so please use our online walk-in site finder to make sure you choose the right site for you.
Examples of medical evidence that can be used to confirm your eligibility includes, but is not limited to:
• A hospital letter describing your condition at the time of your 1st and/or 2nd dose.
• Evidence of prescribed medication at the time of your 1st/2nd dose – either in a hospital letter that describes the medication being prescribed, a prescription copy or a medication box with your name and the date on it."