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Covid: How do I get the vaccine and will I need a booster? Covid: How do I get the vaccine and will I need a booster?
(1 day later)
Those with severely weakened immune systems who are over 12 should be given a third Covid vaccine, experts say.Those with severely weakened immune systems who are over 12 should be given a third Covid vaccine, experts say.
Everyone aged 16 and over in the UK can already receive the Covid vaccine.Everyone aged 16 and over in the UK can already receive the Covid vaccine.
Will I get a booster jab?Will I get a booster jab?
About 400,000 to 500,000 people in the UK will be eligible for a third dose of vaccine, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announcement.About 400,000 to 500,000 people in the UK will be eligible for a third dose of vaccine, following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announcement.
This includes those with blood cancer, advanced HIV and recent organ or stem-cell transplants - who make up less than less than 1% of the population.This includes those with blood cancer, advanced HIV and recent organ or stem-cell transplants - who make up less than less than 1% of the population.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said people would be contacted "as soon as possible, to discuss their needs and arrange an appointment for a third dose".Health Secretary Sajid Javid said people would be contacted "as soon as possible, to discuss their needs and arrange an appointment for a third dose".
He said the separate booster programme prioritising those most at risk from Covid-19 was still planned to begin in September.He said the separate booster programme prioritising those most at risk from Covid-19 was still planned to begin in September.
The JCVI - the scientific body advising the government on vaccines - previously said over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable should be included if a booster programme went ahead, as well as frontline health and social care workers.The JCVI - the scientific body advising the government on vaccines - previously said over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable should be included if a booster programme went ahead, as well as frontline health and social care workers.
It suggested a booster jab could be offered alongside the flu vaccine.It suggested a booster jab could be offered alongside the flu vaccine.
However an exact start date has not yet been set, and we don't know whether the booster scheme will be extended to all adults.However an exact start date has not yet been set, and we don't know whether the booster scheme will be extended to all adults.
Whether all 12- to 15-year-olds will be offered a vaccine is yet to be decided.
Third Covid jab advised for most vulnerable 1%Third Covid jab advised for most vulnerable 1%
Who's being vaccinated at the moment?Who's being vaccinated at the moment?
All over-18s are being offered two doses of the Covid vaccine. Everyone aged 16 and 17 is initially being offered one dose, with the intention of having a second at a later date.All over-18s are being offered two doses of the Covid vaccine. Everyone aged 16 and 17 is initially being offered one dose, with the intention of having a second at a later date.
The vaccine is also available for over-12s with underlying health conditions, or those who live with others at high risk. The vaccine is also available for over-12s with underlying health conditions, or those who live with others at high risk. The vaccine is not being offered to healthy children aged 12-15.
NHS England has been told to prepare for the possibility of giving the jab to all children aged 12-15. Which children will get the Covid vaccine?
Will all children get the Covid vaccine? How many people have been vaccinated so far?
About 89% of adults in the UK have now had at least one Covid jab, and around 79% of adults have had both doses.
However, an estimated third of 18-29-year-olds in England still haven't had a single jab, and nor have around a quarter of this age group in Scotland.
Pregnant women have also been asked to come forward, after reports than fewer than one in 10 in England had received their first jab.Pregnant women have also been asked to come forward, after reports than fewer than one in 10 in England had received their first jab.
Nine out of 10 people aged 16 or over have now had at least one jab.
How do I get a vaccine?How do I get a vaccine?
In England adults and those within three months of turning 18 can book a jab online or by calling 119. You can also visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment.In England adults and those within three months of turning 18 can book a jab online or by calling 119. You can also visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment.
All 16 and 17-year-olds are being invited to make an appointment through their GP.All 16 and 17-year-olds are being invited to make an appointment through their GP.
In Scotland, over-16s can register to get the vaccine on the NHS inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013. Most health boards also have drop-in vaccination clinics.In Scotland, over-16s can register to get the vaccine on the NHS inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013. Most health boards also have drop-in vaccination clinics.
In Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their jab. Invites are being sent to 16 and 17-year-olds.In Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their jab. Invites are being sent to 16 and 17-year-olds.
In Northern Ireland, you can book online or call 0300 200 7813. Walk-in centres are open to older teenagers.In Northern Ireland, you can book online or call 0300 200 7813. Walk-in centres are open to older teenagers.
How soon should I get my second jab?How soon should I get my second jab?
In England, the recommended gap between first and second jabs is between 8-12 weeks.In England, the recommended gap between first and second jabs is between 8-12 weeks.
In Wales, the government says you should be called in for your second dose "within 12 weeks" of the first.In Wales, the government says you should be called in for your second dose "within 12 weeks" of the first.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland the recommended gap is eight weeks.In Scotland and Northern Ireland the recommended gap is eight weeks.
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 who are under 40 or pregnant 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 who are under 40 or pregnant are being offered Pfizer or Moderna rather than Oxford-AstraZeneca, because of concerns about a possible connection with extremely rare cases of blood clots.
Under-18s are currently being offered Pfizer, although the Moderna vaccine has also been authorised for use in children in the UK.Under-18s are currently being offered Pfizer, although the Moderna vaccine has also been authorised for use in children in the UK.
Do vaccines work against different variants?Do vaccines work against different variants?
At the moment, the most common type of Covid in the UK is the Delta variant.At the moment, the most common type of Covid in the UK is the Delta variant.
According to the largest study of its kind, having two vaccine doses remains the best way to protect yourself.According to the largest study of its kind, having two vaccine doses remains the best way to protect yourself.
After four or five months, you have the same amount of protection whether you had AstraZeneca or Pfizer.After four or five months, you have the same amount of protection whether you had AstraZeneca or Pfizer.
Researchers don't yet have enough data to compare the Moderna jab, but believe it is "almost certainly at least as good as the others".Researchers don't yet have enough data to compare the Moderna jab, but believe it is "almost certainly at least as good as the others".
Is vaccination compulsory?Is vaccination compulsory?
It's not compulsory, although the government is urging everyone who can have the vaccine to get it.It's not compulsory, although the government is urging everyone who can have the vaccine to get it.
However, some jobs do require staff members to have the jab.However, some jobs do require staff members to have the jab.
For example, vaccinations will be mandatory for staff at care homes in England, and may be extended to include more NHS staff.For example, vaccinations will be mandatory for staff at care homes in England, and may be extended to include more NHS staff.
Being fully vaccinated also means you don't have to self-isolate after visiting amber list countries.Being fully vaccinated also means you don't have to self-isolate after visiting amber list countries.
And double-jabbed people no longer have to self-isolate if a contact tests positive for Covid (as long as they themselves test negative).And double-jabbed people no longer have to self-isolate if a contact tests positive for Covid (as long as they themselves test negative).
By the end of September, full vaccination will also be a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other venues in England.By the end of September, full vaccination will also be a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other venues in England.
I'm fully vaccinated, but how can I prove it?I'm fully vaccinated, but how can I prove it?
What's the advice to pregnant women?What's the advice to pregnant women?
England's chief midwife has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine.England's chief midwife has urged pregnant women to get the vaccine.
The Delta variant is causing more serious illness from Covid which means unvaccinated pregnant women and their babies are at risk.The Delta variant is causing more serious illness from Covid which means unvaccinated pregnant women and their babies are at risk.
Between May and July, at least 171 pregnant women with Covid needed hospital care. None of them had had both jabs.Between May and July, at least 171 pregnant women with Covid needed hospital care. None of them had had both jabs.
Carrie Johnson urges pregnant women to get vaccineCarrie Johnson urges pregnant women to get vaccine
The vaccine fertility myths that just won't go awayThe vaccine fertility myths that just won't go away
What about side effects?What about side effects?
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.
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
BBC Radio presenter Lisa Shaw died after developing blood clots following her first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.BBC Radio presenter Lisa Shaw died after developing blood clots following her first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
The clots are extremely rare. There have been 417 reported cases and 72 deaths after 24.8 million first doses and 23.9 million second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK.The clots are extremely rare. There have been 417 reported cases and 72 deaths after 24.8 million first doses and 23.9 million second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK.
Separately, a very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.Separately, a very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
You should discuss any existing serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.You should discuss any existing serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.
Sore arm is most common Covid vaccine side effectSore arm is most common Covid vaccine side effect
Covid vaccines and rare clots - what do we know?Covid vaccines and rare clots - what do we know?