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Covid: Will children get the vaccine and will I need a booster? Covid: Will I need a booster jab?
(about 20 hours later)
Healthy children aged 12-15 should be given one Covid jab, the UK's Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have recommended. All people over 50 in the UK should be offered a single-dose booster jab of the Covid vaccine, the government's medical advisers have recommended.
A decision on booster jabs is expected soon. What is the plan?
About 30 million people will be in line to receive a single booster jab. They are:
Adults over the age of 50
Frontline health and social care workers
Older adults in residential care homes
People aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk of severe Covid
Adults who share a household with vulnerable people
The jab will be offered at least six months after a second vaccination, and is likely to be either Pfizer or Moderna.
Making the announcement, England's deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, said he hoped that boosters could start being offered straight away.
He recommended that people should take a flu jab if it is offered alongside the booster, but added that it may not always be available.
How can I get a flu jab?
Third Covid jab advised for most vulnerable 1%
Pfizer and AZ approved as Covid booster vaccines
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 being offered one dose, with the intention of having a second at a later date. All over-18s are eligible to have two doses of the Covid vaccine.
Young people aged 16 and 17 are 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 - about 10% of children in this age group.The vaccine is also available for over-12s with underlying health conditions, or those who live with others at high risk - about 10% of children in this age group.
Will all children be vaccinated? Will more children be offered the vaccine?
The UK's CMOs now say vaccinating healthy over-12s would help stop school disruption, which could happen if Covid keeps spreading during the winter. The UK's chief medical officers have now said vaccinating healthy over-12s would help stop school disruption, which could happen if Covid keeps spreading during the winter.
It will now be up to ministers to decide whether to go ahead.It will now be up to ministers to decide whether to go ahead.
There is no vaccine currently approved for use in the under-12s in the UKThere is no vaccine currently approved for use in the under-12s in the UK
Which children will get the Covid vaccine?Which children will get the Covid vaccine?
Vaccinating children - how the UK compares
No jab. No entry. When will I need a Covid passport?No jab. No entry. When will I need a Covid passport?
Will I get a booster jab?
About 400,000 to 500,000 people with severely weakened immune systems will be eligible for a third dose of vaccine.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said they would be contacted "as soon as possible" to arrange an appointment.
He said a separate booster programme for others in the most at-risk groups was still planned for September.
The JCVI - the scientific body advising the government on vaccines - previously said over-70s and the clinically extremely vulnerable should be included, as well as frontline health and social care workers.
It suggested a booster jab could be offered alongside the flu vaccine.
How can I get a flu jab?
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.
The scientist behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert, has described offering a third booster dose to millions of people as a "complex decision" - with vaccines still providing strong protection.
The UK medicines watchdog has approved both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines for use as booster jabs.
Third Covid jab advised for most vulnerable 1%
Pfizer and AZ approved as Covid booster vaccines
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.
Which vaccine will I get?Which vaccine will I get?
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.
Is vaccination compulsory?Is vaccination compulsory?
It's not compulsory, although the government wants everyone who can have the vaccine to get it.It's not compulsory, although the government wants everyone who can have the vaccine to get it.
Being fully vaccinated will be a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland from 1 October.Being fully vaccinated will be a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland from 1 October.
Some jobs also require staff members to have the jab.Some jobs also require staff members to have the jab.
The government has now said it is also considering making both Covid and flu jabs compulsory for all frontline NHS and care workers in England.The government has now said it is also considering making both Covid and flu jabs compulsory for all frontline NHS and care workers in England.
Being fully vaccinated also means you don't have to self-isolate after visiting amber list countries or if a contact tests positive for Covid (as long as they themselves test negative).Being fully vaccinated also means you don't have to self-isolate after visiting amber list countries or if a contact tests positive for Covid (as long as they themselves test negative).
England's chief midwife has also urged pregnant women to get the vaccine.England's chief midwife has also urged pregnant women to get the 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?