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Covid: When will I get the vaccine? Covid: When will I get the vaccine?
(4 days later)
Millions of people most vulnerable to Covid-19 may be offered a third vaccination from September.Millions of people most vulnerable to Covid-19 may be offered a third vaccination from September.
The government's scientific advisers have issued new guidance to ministers on who should get Covid booster jabs from the autumn, if the data suggests they are needed.The government's scientific advisers have issued new guidance to ministers on who should get Covid booster jabs from the autumn, if the data suggests they are needed.
What's the new advice?What's the new advice?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) - which advises ministers - says third Covid jabs should be offered to prolong the benefits of the first and second injections, especially in the run-up to winter.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) - which advises ministers - says third Covid jabs should be offered to prolong the benefits of the first and second injections, especially in the run-up to winter.
The JCVI says it will publish final plans before September, taking into account:The JCVI says it will publish final plans before September, taking into account:
the latest epidemiological situationthe latest epidemiological situation
data from re-vaccination trials, such as the Cov-Boost studydata from re-vaccination trials, such as the Cov-Boost study
how well the vaccines are working over timehow well the vaccines are working over time
emerging variantsemerging variants
The government says it's working closely with the NHS to ensure that if a booster programme happens, it can be deployed rapidly from September.The government says it's working closely with the NHS to ensure that if a booster programme happens, it can be deployed rapidly from September.
So who can expect to get a third jab first? So who might get a third jab first?
The JCVI says the following people should get a booster vaccine and the annual flu jab as soon as possible from September:The JCVI says the following people should get a booster vaccine and the annual flu jab as soon as possible from September:
immuno-suppressed adults aged 16 and overimmuno-suppressed adults aged 16 and over
those living in residential care homes for older adultsthose living in residential care homes for older adults
all adults aged 70 or overall adults aged 70 or over
adults aged 16 and over considered clinically extremely vulnerableadults aged 16 and over considered clinically extremely vulnerable
frontline health and social care workersfrontline health and social care workers
The JCVI says the following groups of people should then be offered a third booster with "equal emphasis" on giving the flu vaccine as well:The JCVI says the following groups of people should then be offered a third booster with "equal emphasis" on giving the flu vaccine as well:
all adults aged 50 and overall adults aged 50 and over
all adults aged 16-49 years in an influenza or Covid-19 "at-risk group"all adults aged 16-49 years in an influenza or Covid-19 "at-risk group"
adult household contacts of immuno-suppressed individualsadult household contacts of immuno-suppressed individuals
Most younger adults will receive their second Covid-19 vaccine dose in late summer, so the benefits of booster vaccination in this group will be considered by the JCVI at a later date.Most younger adults will receive their second Covid-19 vaccine dose in late summer, so the benefits of booster vaccination in this group will be considered by the JCVI at a later date.
Boosters should ensure protection built up in the population does not decline through the winter months - and that immunity is maximised to provide additional resilience against variants.Boosters should ensure protection built up in the population does not decline through the winter months - and that immunity is maximised to provide additional resilience against variants.
Who is being offered the vaccine now?Who is being offered the vaccine now?
Anyone aged 18 or over can now book a jab in England, either online or by calling 119. You can also visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment. Check your local health providers and social media groups for details.Anyone aged 18 or over can now book a jab in England, either online or by calling 119. You can also visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment. Check your local health providers and social media groups for details.
By 19 July, it's hoped that all adults will have had their first dose and everyone aged over 40 - and the clinically extremely vulnerable - will have been offered their second.By 19 July, it's hoped that all adults will have had their first dose and everyone aged over 40 - and the clinically extremely vulnerable - will have been offered their second.
In Scotland, over-18s can now register to get the vaccine on the NHS inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013.In Scotland, over-18s can now register to get the vaccine on the NHS inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013.
Over-18s can also get their jab without an appointment at all the mass vaccination centres in Lothian. Other health boards are offering drop-in vaccination clinics as well. Check local websites and social media for details.Over-18s can also get their jab without an appointment at all the mass vaccination centres in Lothian. Other health boards are offering drop-in vaccination clinics as well. Check local websites and social media for details.
In Wales, over-18s can get the vaccine.In Wales, over-18s can get the vaccine.
In Northern Ireland, over-18s can book online or call 0300 200 7813In Northern Ireland, over-18s can book online or call 0300 200 7813
How many people have been vaccinated so far?How many people have been vaccinated so far?
What's happening about second jabs?What's happening about second jabs?
Over-40s in England and Scotland are being encouraged to get second Covid jab as soon as possible. The gap between doses has been reduced from 12 weeks to eight because of the Delta variant.Over-40s in England and Scotland are being encouraged to get second Covid jab as soon as possible. The gap between doses has been reduced from 12 weeks to eight because of the Delta variant.
The NHS will be contacting patients directly in England, but you can also rearrange your appointment yourself online, or by calling 119.The NHS will be contacting patients directly in England, but you can also rearrange your appointment yourself online, or by calling 119.
As with first jabs, a number of walk-in clinics running across the country offer second doses without an appointment. Again, check local health providers and social media groups for details.As with first jabs, a number of walk-in clinics running across the country offer second doses without an appointment. Again, check local health providers and social media groups for details.
In Scotland anyone whose second appointment is more than eight weeks after their first can rebook it via the NHS Inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013.In Scotland anyone whose second appointment is more than eight weeks after their first can rebook it via the NHS Inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013.
In Northern Ireland, the interval between doses has been reduced from 10 weeks to six weeks for appointments scheduled after 14 June 2021.In Northern Ireland, the interval between doses has been reduced from 10 weeks to six weeks for appointments scheduled after 14 June 2021.
In Wales, the government says vaccination clinics "are accelerating second doses", and that people will be contacted by their local health boards in due course.In Wales, the government says vaccination clinics "are accelerating second doses", and that people will be contacted by their local health boards in due course.
Is Covid vaccination compulsory?Is Covid vaccination compulsory?
For most people, getting vaccinated is not mandatory, although the government is urging everyone who can have the vaccine to get it.For most people, getting vaccinated is not mandatory, although the government is urging everyone who can have the vaccine to get it.
Vaccinations will be compulsory for staff at care homes in England, and may be extended to include more NHS staff.Vaccinations will be compulsory for staff at care homes in England, and may be extended to include more NHS staff.
Some private companies have said their staff must be vaccinated, including the publisher Bloomsbury, Pimlico Plumbers, and the airline Cathay Pacific.Some private companies have said their staff must be vaccinated, including the publisher Bloomsbury, Pimlico Plumbers, and the airline Cathay Pacific.
In addition, a number of countries are only allowing fully-vaccinated travellers to enter.In addition, a number of countries are only allowing fully-vaccinated travellers to enter.
The government in England has also been piloting a number of large scale events where entry is reserved for spectators who can prove their vaccination status via the NHS Covid Pass.The government in England has also been piloting a number of large scale events where entry is reserved for spectators who can prove their vaccination status via the NHS Covid Pass.
I'm fully vaccinated, but how can I prove it?I'm fully vaccinated, but how can I prove it?
What vaccine will I get?What vaccine will I get?
The UK is using vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNtech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, and Moderna.The UK is using vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNtech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, and Moderna.
People under 40 are being offered Pfizer or Moderna rather than Oxford-AstraZeneca because of concerns about a possible connection with extremely rare cases of blood clots.People under 40 are being offered Pfizer or Moderna rather than Oxford-AstraZeneca because of concerns about a possible connection with extremely rare cases of blood clots.
But the UK's medicines regulator says the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for most people.But the UK's medicines regulator says the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for most people.
A single-dose Covid vaccine made by Janssen has also been approved for use in the UK by the medicines regulator. Twenty million doses are due to arrive later this year.A single-dose Covid vaccine made by Janssen has also been approved for use in the UK by the medicines regulator. Twenty million doses are due to arrive later this year.
I’m 25 - is it safe for me to get the vaccine?I’m 25 - is it safe for me to get the vaccine?
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
Do vaccines work against the Delta variant?Do vaccines work against the Delta variant?
The Delta variant is believed to be around 60% more infectious than the previous dominant variant in the UK, the Alpha. It's also thought to be twice as likely to result in hospital admissions.The Delta variant is believed to be around 60% more infectious than the previous dominant variant in the UK, the Alpha. It's also thought to be twice as likely to result in hospital admissions.
However, analysis by Public Health England (PHE) shows that two doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine are highly effective at preventing hospital admissions for infected patients.However, analysis by Public Health England (PHE) shows that two doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine are highly effective at preventing hospital admissions for infected patients.
Vaccine developers are able to update their jabs to target new variants. Oxford researchers have begun to test a new version of the AZ vaccine (targeting the Beta variant first detected in South Africa) in volunteers. Results are expected later this year.Vaccine developers are able to update their jabs to target new variants. Oxford researchers have begun to test a new version of the AZ vaccine (targeting the Beta variant first detected in South Africa) in volunteers. Results are expected later this year.
Where is the Indian variant and how is it spreading?Where is the Indian variant and how is it spreading?
How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?
Can you mix and match different vaccines?Can you mix and match different vaccines?
At present, official guidance says everyone should get the same vaccine for both doses. But in 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. But in 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 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 should not, the regulator says.
Mixing Covid vaccines 'gives good protection'Mixing Covid vaccines 'gives good protection'
Will children be vaccinated?Will children be vaccinated?
A decision to vaccinate all 12 to 17-year-olds is unlikely to be recommended by UK vaccine experts imminently, the BBC has been told.A decision to vaccinate all 12 to 17-year-olds is unlikely to be recommended by UK vaccine experts imminently, the BBC has been told.
Certain groups of children may still be offered a Covid jab - but not all.Certain groups of children may still be offered a Covid jab - but not all.
Vaccinating children could help protect other people, but the risk to youngsters from catching Covid remains extremely low.Vaccinating children could help protect other people, but the risk to youngsters from catching Covid remains extremely low.
The Pfizer vaccine has now been approved as safe for 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK.The Pfizer vaccine has now been approved as safe for 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK.
Moderna says its Covid vaccine is "highly effective" in adolescents aged 12-17, and it will soon ask global regulators to approve its use for this age group. Other manufacturers are also carrying out trials.Moderna says its Covid vaccine is "highly effective" in adolescents aged 12-17, and it will soon ask global regulators to approve its use for this age group. Other manufacturers are also carrying out trials.
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.The UK has ordered eight vaccines and expects to receive 517 million doses.
These include another 60 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine (on top of the original order of 40 million) to be used as part of a booster programme in the autumn.These include another 60 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine (on top of 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.Vaccines supplied by CureVac will be designed to protect against the most concerning new variants.
Can pregnant women get the vaccine?Can pregnant women get the vaccine?
The UK's vaccine committee says pregnant women should be offered a jab.The UK's vaccine committee says pregnant women should be offered a jab.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferable, they say, because data relating to 90,000 pregnant women has not raised any safety concerns.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.Data on how the AZ vaccine works in pregnant women may become available in the near future.
Pregnant women should be offered Covid vaccinePregnant women should be offered Covid vaccine
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.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 vaccines are possible.Most people will not be affected in any way, although side-effects with all 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
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