Terrence Higgins Trust has worked with the British HIV Association (BHIVA) to produce guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for people living with HIV.

Several vaccines for the COVID-19 coronavirus are now in use in the UK. and the Department of Health recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all people living with HIV, regardless of CD4 count. HIV drugs do not reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and receiving a vaccine does not affect how well HIV medication works.

People are receiving the vaccine in strict order of priority based on their age, health, occupation, whether they live in a care or residential home, and who they live with. There is no way to jump the queue and you will be contacted when your vaccine is due.

There are nine priority groups. Those in priority group 1 will get the vaccine first, followed by each in turn up until group 9. Everyone with HIV is automatically in priority group 6 as long as their GP is aware of their HIV status. If your clinic thinks you are at higher risk you can be put into priority group 4, and get the vaccine sooner, but you will need to be added to a central NHS list to be put into priority group 4.

Nobody has to have the vaccine but we recommend that everyone who is offered it accept it.

For more information, please see our full guidance on the BHIVA website or contact THT Direct.