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Covid: People are vaccinated - so why are there so many cases? Covid: When will I get a booster jab?
(about 16 hours later)
More than four out of five adults in the UK have now had two jabs, but reported daily Covid cases remain high. More than two million Covid booster jabs have now been given out in England, according to the NHS.
Millions of people will get booster vaccines this autumn - while healthy children aged 12-15 are being offered single doses. The booster is being offered to frontline medical staff, over-50s and the clinically vulnerable across the UK. Meanwhile, healthy children aged 12-15 are also being offered a single dose.
Why are infections still high when so many are vaccinated? Who will get a booster?
Vaccines are designed to protect people against becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid-19. Across the UK, booster jabs are being offered to:
They're less effective at stopping people getting infected by the virus or passing it on.
Although the vaccine does reduce the likelihood of these things happening, it might only stop half of infected people from transmitting the virus.
So even if everyone in the UK was double-vaccinated, Covid would still spread - but far fewer people would become seriously ill.
Effectiveness also depends on how well each vaccine works against individual variants.
Public Health England (PHE) studies suggest having two vaccine doses protects 80% of people against getting symptoms from the Delta variant. That's lower than the Alpha variant (89%), first identified in Kent, because Delta, first identified in India, is more infectious.
After four or five months, another large study suggests 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".
Do vaccines prevent hospitalisation and death?
Yes. Public Health England (PHE) studies found:
Vaccines are 96% effective at preventing hospitalisation
Covid deaths in the double-jabbed are four times lower than in the unvaccinated
But there will always be some deaths, particularly in the oldest and most vulnerable, because vaccines aren't perfect.
Covid deaths rare among fully vaccinated - ONS
Who will be offered a third jab?
Across the UK, single booster jabs will be offered to:
Over-50sOver-50s
Frontline health and social care workersFrontline health and social care workers
Older adults in residential care homesOlder adults in residential care homes
People aged 16-49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at greater risk of severe CovidPeople 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 peopleAdults who share a household with vulnerable people
Booster doses will be offered at least six months after a second vaccination, and will typically be either Pfizer or Moderna. The booster must be given at least six months after a second vaccination, and will typically be either Pfizer or Moderna.
England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, says people should also take a flu jab if it is offered alongside the booster. NHS England says more than two million booster jabs have already been delivered, although some charities have criticised the rollout for vulnerable people with weak immune systems, which they say has gone "badly wrong".
In Scotland, as at 12 October, 28,142 clinically vulnerable people considered "severely immunosuppressed" have received their booster.
Meanwhile more than 40 million people across the UK are being offered the flu jab this year, including - for the first time - all secondary school children up to the age of 16.
England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tan said it's vital that people have a flu jab as well as the Covid booster.
How many people have been vaccinated so far?
How can I get a flu jab?How can I get a flu jab?
Which children will now be offered the vaccine? Which children are being offered a Covid vaccine?
All 12 to 15-year-olds will be offered a single Pfizer Covid jab to help limit school disruption this winter. Most will be given in school. All 12 to 15-year-olds are being offered a single Pfizer Covid jab to help limit disruption to their education. Most will be given in school.
The rollout has already begun in England and Scotland. Invites are being sent out in Wales, while teen vaccinations are due to start in Northern Ireland in October. The rollout has already begun in England, Scotland and Wales, and is due to start shortly in Northern Ireland.
The UK's chief medical offers said a second dose shouldn't be considered before the spring term.The UK's chief medical offers said a second dose shouldn't be considered before the spring term.
Young people aged 16 and 17 are also being offered one dose, with the intention of a second at a later date.Young people aged 16 and 17 are also being offered one dose, with the intention of a second at a later date.
There is no vaccine currently approved for use in the under-12s in the UK. There is no vaccine currently approved for under-12s in the UK.
Will children's Covid jabs be compulsory?Will children's Covid jabs be compulsory?
What difference will jabbing young teens make?What difference will jabbing young teens make?
Vaccinating children - how the UK comparesVaccinating children - how the UK compares
Why are infections still high when so many are vaccinated?
Almost four in five over-12s in the UK are now fully vaccinated, but daily cases are still rising.
Vaccines are designed to protect people against becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid.
According to Public Health England (PHE):
Vaccines are 96% effective at preventing hospitalisation
Covid deaths in the double-jabbed are four times lower than in the unvaccinated
But they're less effective at stopping people getting infected by the virus or passing it on.
So even if everyone in the UK was double-vaccinated, Covid would still spread - but far fewer people would become seriously ill.
Effectiveness also depends on how well each vaccine works against individual variants.
PHE studies suggest two vaccine doses protect 80% of people against getting symptoms from the Delta variant. That's lower than the Alpha variant (89%), first identified in Kent, because Delta, first identified in India, is more infectious.
After four or five months, another large study suggests you have the same amount of protection whether you had AstraZeneca or Pfizer.
Researchers believe the Moderna jab is similarly effective.
Covid deaths rare among fully vaccinated - ONS
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. They can also visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment. All 16 and 17-year-olds are asked to contact their GP. In England, adults and those within three months of turning 18 can book their first or second jab online or by calling 119. They can also visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment. All 16 and 17-year-olds should contact their GP.
In Scotland, over-16s can register to get the vaccine on the NHS inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013. Over-12s can go to drop-in vaccination clinics. Frontline health or social care workers can book their booster jab online now, but other groups should wait to be contacted by the NHS.
In Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their jab. In Scotland, over-16s can register to get their first or second vaccine on the NHS inform website or by calling 0800 030 8013. Over-12s can go to drop-in vaccination clinics. Invitations will be sent to those entitled to receive a booster.
In Northern Ireland, you can book online or call 0300 200 7813. Walk-in centres are open to older teenagers. In Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their first two doses. Those living and working in care homes and frontline health and social care staff have already been offered a third dose.
How soon should I get my second jab? In Northern Ireland, you can book online or call 0300 200 7813. Walk-in centres are open to older teenagers. People entitled to a third dose will be contacted directly.
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 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 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 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 health secretary has said it's "highly likely" that both Covid and flu jabs will be compulsory for all frontline NHS and care workers in England.It's not compulsory, although the health secretary has said it's "highly likely" that both Covid and flu jabs will be compulsory for all frontline NHS and care workers in England.
Being fully vaccinated will also be a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland from 1 October. Being fully vaccinated is also a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland.
It 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 you test negative).It 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 you 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
There are extremely rare but occasionally fatal cases of people developing blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine.There are extremely rare but occasionally fatal cases of people developing blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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.
Covid vaccines and rare clots - what do we know?Covid vaccines and rare clots - what do we know?