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COVID-19 information for people with kidney disease

Page updated: 04/01/2023

Everybody with a kidney disease should be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). For some people with kidney disease the vaccination schedule may differ from the general population.

It is important to:

  • Help protect yourself from serious illness during a COVID-19 infection
  • Significantly reduce risk of complications from a long COVID illness
  • Help protect our health and care services
  • Increase immunity in those at highest risk of COVID-19

Some vulnerable groups will be offered both flu and COVID-19 vaccines during the same appointment.

For the latest information on vaccinations in Wales please follow this link to the Covid-19 vaccination programme page on the Welsh Government website.

For more information, please follow this link to the Covid-19 guidance for people with kidney disease page on the Kidney Care UK website.

Please Note: Some of this UK information differs by country; look for sections specific to Wales.

If you are a patient of the South West Wales Renal Service, contact Morriston Renal Medicines Service on 01792 531293 if you need advice.

Page updated: 04/01/2023

Some people with kidney disease, with the highest risk of hospitalisation and complications from COVID-19 may be eligible to receive treatment, without being admitted to hospital.

Treatment can be offered following a positive COVID test.  You will have to submit the positive lateral flow result to the UK Government website or ring 119. Go to this page on the UK Government website to submit a LFT result. 

Eligible people will be contacted by a member of the National Antiviral Service (NAVS), who are expert clinicians, to discuss the treatment options.

Not all available treatments are suitable for people with kidney disease, or are taking certain medicines. It is important that you give information on all the medication you take, including those from your kidney team, when being assessed for the most suitable treatment.

These treatments must be started within 5 days of a positive COVID test result and onset of symptoms.

If you feel you are eligible and have not been contacted, please speak to your local renal unit.

For more information about these treatment options please follow the links below.

Follow this link to a YouTube video by NHS Wales Kidney Care called Covid Treatment Video (English).

Follow this link to the National Antiviral Service (NAVS) Cymru website.

For more information on Covid-19 treatments, specific to Wales, please follow this link to the Welsh Government website.

For general UK-wide information on Covid-19 treatments, including the eligibility list, please follow this link to the Kidney Care UK website. 

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.

We welcome correspondence and telephone calls in Welsh or English. Welsh language correspondence will be replied to in Welsh, and this will not lead to a delay. This page is available in Welsh by clicking ‘Cymraeg’ at the top right of this page.