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Covid: When will I get the vaccine? Covid: When will I get the vaccine?
(4 days later)
More than two-thirds of UK adults - 36 million people - have had a first dose of a Covid vaccine, while a third of adults are now fully vaccinated with two doses. Anyone aged 36 or over in England can now book their first dose of Covid vaccine.
The UK's vaccine committee has advised that because of concerns over the Indian variant, the over-50s and people who are clinically vulnerable should receive their second doses eight weeks after the first, instead of 12 weeks. In addition, because of concerns over the Indian variant, vaccination is being speeded up and second doses are being offered earlier to some people.
People in their 30s are now being invited in many areas of the UK. They will be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine, if they don't have an underlying health condition, because of a slightly increased risk of extremely rare blood clots linked to the vaccine.
Who is being offered the vaccine now?
In England, people aged 38 and 39 are being invited to book online from 07:00 on Thursday. Text messages have been sent out with a link to the national booking service, which can also be called on 119.
How many people have been vaccinated so far?How many people have been vaccinated so far?
People aged 40 and over in Scotland are now being invited to get their vaccine. Who is being offered the vaccine now?
The Welsh government says vaccines are now being offered to people aged 40 and over, and some health boards have started inviting the 30-39 age group. There's more information about the roll-out on the Public Health Wales website. In England, people aged 36 and over are being invited to book their first dose online - text messages have been sent out with a link to the national booking service, which can also be called on 119
In Northern Ireland, people aged 30 and over are now eligible. They can book online or call 0300 200 7813. People aged 40 and over in Scotland are now being invited to get their vaccine, although in some parts of Glasgow, appointments are being made available to 18-39 year olds
The government says all adults will be offered their first dose by the end of July, in decreasing age order. The Welsh government says vaccines are now being offered to people aged 40 and over, and some health boards have started inviting the 30-39 age group - more information is on the Public Health Wales website
Some groups at higher risk of needing hospital treatment from Covid are urged to take up the offer of vaccination promptly: in Northern Ireland, people aged 30 and over are now eligible and can book online or call 0300 200 7813
men Anyone in the UK who has been invited for a vaccine but has not yet come forward, is urged to do so quickly.
black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities Ministers urge vaccine take-up amid variant fears
people with a BMI over 30 Who else has been vaccinated so far?
those in deprived neighbourhoods The vaccine has been rolled out largely according to age, but those who have been invited also include:
Can pregnant women get the vaccine?
The UK's vaccine committee says pregnant women should be offered a Covid jab when other people their age get one.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferable, they say, because data relating to 90,000 pregnant women has not raised any safety concerns. Data on how the AZ vaccine works in pregnant women may become available in the near future.
Pregnant women should be offered Covid vaccine
Who has already been offered a first dose?
Those most at risk from Covid and those caring for them were vaccinated first. They include:
frontline health and social care stafffrontline health and social care staff
elderly care home residentselderly care home residents
clinically extremely vulnerable peopleclinically extremely vulnerable people
over-16s with some health conditions which increase their risk from Covidover-16s with some health conditions which increase their risk from Covid
adult carers of disabled people and younger adults in care homes How soon will I get my second dose?
people aged 40 and over in England
people aged 45 and over in Scotland
people aged 40 and over in Wales, with some health boards offering it those over 30
people aged 30 and over in Northern Ireland
All four nations of the UK follow these priorities, but the rollout varies between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When will I get my second dose?
Everyone should be offered a second vaccine dose within 12 weeks of the first jab to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.Everyone should be offered a second vaccine dose within 12 weeks of the first jab to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
People over 50 and those with severe underlying health conditions which put them a high risk from Covid will now receive their second dose sooner than originally planned - eight weeks after the first, rather than 12. This is because of concerns over a rise in cases of the India variant. People over 50 and those with severe underlying health conditions which put them a high risk from Covid will now receive their second dose sooner than originally planned - eight weeks after the first, rather than 12.
This is because of concerns over a rise in cases of the India variant.
Indian variant could disrupt 21 June easing - PMIndian variant could disrupt 21 June easing - PM
Are two doses needed?Are two doses needed?
The approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best protection.The approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best protection.
In the UK, people were initially told they would get a second dose three to four weeks after the first. But to ensure a faster rollout of first doses, the UK's chief medical officers extended the gap to 12 weeks. Studies have shown that one dose gives prolonged protection and cuts infections in all age groups. A second dose is still required, however, for maximum protection.
This decision has been proved correct by studies which show that one vaccine dose gives prolonged protection and cuts infections in all age groups. A second dose is still required, however, for maximum protection. What jab might I get?
What jab might I get and can I mix and match vaccines? The vaccines currently being used in the UK are made by Pfizer-BioNtech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, and Moderna.
People under the age of 40 are now to be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine if it's available, after a review into the numbers affected by extremely rare blood clots. People under the age of 40 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine if it's available.
This is because of concerns about a possible connection between that vaccine and extremely rare cases of blood clots.
But the UK's medicine regulator - the MHRA - says the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risks for most people.But the UK's medicine regulator - the MHRA - says the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risks for most people.
AstraZeneca: Is there a blood clot risk?AstraZeneca: Is there a blood clot risk?
Is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe?Is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe?
Rare blood clots - what you need to knowRare blood clots - what you need to know
A UK trial is currently investigating whether using two different vaccines for the first and second doses could give better protection and more flexibility. Can you mix and match different vaccines?
A UK trial is currently investigating whether using two different vaccines for the first and second dose could give better protection and more flexibility.
At present, official guidance says everyone should get the same vaccine for both doses. In very rare circumstances - if only one vaccine is available, or it's not known which was given for the first dose - a different vaccine can be used.At present, official guidance says everyone should get the same vaccine for both doses. In very rare circumstances - if only one vaccine is available, or it's not known which was given for the first dose - a different vaccine can be used.
If you have already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should also have a second dose. Only those who suffered a rare blood clot after the first dose should not, the regulator says.If you have already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should also have a second dose. Only those who suffered a rare blood clot after the first dose should not, the regulator says.
Do the vaccines work against new variants?Do the vaccines work against new variants?
All three vaccines used in the UK have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid.All three vaccines used in the UK have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid.
The AstraZeneca vaccine offers a good level of protection against the 'Kent' variant now dominant in the UK. Research shows the Pfizer vaccine also offers protection against this variant. The government's scientific advisers say the India variant spreads more easily than other forms of the virus - but they don't know by how much. As yet, there is no evidence the vaccines are less effective against it.
There are concerns the vaccines may not work quite as well against variants first spotted in South Africa and Brazil although it's thought they still protect against severe illness. Vaccines offer good protection against the "Kent" variant, which is still the dominant one in the UK, and appear to protect against severe illness from other concerning variants, including the South Africa and Brazil ones.
The government's scientific advisers say the India variant spreads more easily than the current form of the virus - but they don't know by how much. As yet, there is no evidence the vaccines are less effective against it.
Developers are updating their jabs to target the new variants and plan to have them ready by the autumn.Developers are updating their jabs to target the new variants and plan to have them ready by the autumn.
They are likely to be offered as a routine booster for the most vulnerable groups.They are likely to be offered as a routine booster for the most vulnerable groups.
What is the India Covid variant?What is the India Covid variant?
How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?
How many vaccine doses are there?How many vaccine doses are there?
The UK has ordered eight vaccines and expects to receive 517 million doses - more than enough for every adult to receive two.The UK has ordered eight vaccines and expects to receive 517 million doses - more than enough for every adult to receive two.
These include another 60 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine (added to the original order of 40 million) to be used as part of a booster programme in the autumn. Vaccines supplied by CureVac will be designed to protect against the most concerning new variants.These include another 60 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine (added to the original order of 40 million) to be used as part of a booster programme in the autumn. Vaccines supplied by CureVac will be designed to protect against the most concerning new variants.
Can pregnant women get the vaccine?
The UK's vaccine committee says pregnant women should be offered a Covid jab when other people their age get one.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferable, they say, because data relating to 90,000 pregnant women has not raised any safety concerns. Data on how the AZ vaccine works in pregnant women may become available in the near future.
Pregnant women should be offered Covid vaccine
Will children be vaccinated?Will children be vaccinated?
No decision has yet been made on whether teenagers or younger children will be offered a Covid vaccine in the UK.No decision has yet been made on whether teenagers or younger children will be offered a Covid vaccine in the UK.
The Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for use in over-16s in the UK and the AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines for over-18s.The Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for use in over-16s in the UK and the AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines for over-18s.
In Canada and the US, adolescents are set to receive the Pfizer vaccine after it was approved for use in teenagers following a trial which showed children aged 12-15 were well protected and had no unusual side effects.In Canada and the US, adolescents are set to receive the Pfizer vaccine after it was approved for use in teenagers following a trial which showed children aged 12-15 were well protected and had no unusual side effects.
AstraZeneca is trialling its vaccine on six-to-17-year-olds in the UK. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are currently testing their vaccines on those aged 12-18, with Moderna's data expected soon.AstraZeneca is trialling its vaccine on six-to-17-year-olds in the UK. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are currently testing their vaccines on those aged 12-18, with Moderna's data expected soon.
Moderna and Pfizer are also testing their jabs on younger children between six months and 11 years old.Moderna and Pfizer are also testing their jabs on younger children between six months and 11 years old.
Is a Covid vaccine compulsory?Is a Covid vaccine compulsory?
No, it's not mandatory - but everyone is being urged to get vaccinated to protect their family, friends and wider society. No, it's not - but everyone is being urged to get vaccinated to protect their family, friends and wider society.
The government is currently considering whether to make the vaccine compulsory for NHS staff and care workers.The government is currently considering whether to make the vaccine compulsory for NHS staff and care workers.
What about people with allergies?What about people with allergies?
A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - after the Pfizer vaccine, but the UK regulator says these are "very rare". A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - after the Pfizer vaccine.
You should discuss any serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.You should discuss any serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.
Most people will not be affected in any way, although side-effects with all Covid vaccines are possible.Most people will not be affected in any way, although side-effects with all Covid vaccines are possible.
The most common ones include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.The most common ones include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.
They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccines and tend to resolve within a day or two.They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccines and tend to resolve within a day or two.
Sore arm is most common Covid vaccine side effectSore arm is most common Covid vaccine side effect
Study reveals extent of Covid vaccine side-effectsStudy reveals extent of Covid vaccine side-effects
My vaccine side effects and what they meanMy vaccine side effects and what they mean
Why it is normal for some people to experience short-term side effects from Covid-19 vaccinesWhy it is normal for some people to experience short-term side effects from Covid-19 vaccines