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Covid: When will I get a booster jab? Covid: When can I get my Covid booster jab?
(about 7 hours later)
More than 4 million Covid booster jabs have now been given out in England, according to the NHS. More than four million people across the UK have had a Covid booster.
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. Healthy children aged 12-15 are being offered a single dose.
Who will get a booster?Who will get a booster?
Across the UK, booster jabs are being offered to:Across the UK, booster jabs are being 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 people Adults sharing a home with vulnerable people
The dose must be given at least six months after a second vaccination, and will typically be either Pfizer or Moderna. The dose must be given at least six months after a second vaccination. Usually it will be Pfizer or Moderna.
Latest data from the NHS shows 4 million people in England have already been given a third jab. In addition, some people with severely supressed immune systems need a third jab to be considered fully vaccinated. They may also get boosters at a later date.
Meanwhile more than 40 million people across the UK are also being offered the flu jab this year, including - for the first time - all secondary school children up to the age of 16. In England four million people have had a booster or third jab. More than 400,000 booster jabs and 30,500 third primary doses have been delivered in Scotland; 40,000 boosters and 5,500 third doses have been given in Northern Ireland. Data is not yet available for Wales.
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?
Is the pace of the Covid booster rollout too slow?
How can I get a flu jab?How can I get a flu jab?
Which children are being offered a Covid vaccine? Which children can have the Covid vaccine?
All 12 to 15-year-olds are being offered a single Pfizer Covid jab to help limit disruption to their education. All 12 to 15-year-olds are being offered a single Pfizer Covid jab.
The rollout has already begun in England, Scotland and Wales, and is due to start shortly in Northern Ireland. The rollout has already begun in England, Scotland and Wales, and will start shortly in Northern Ireland.
Most doses are being given in school, but 12 to 15-year-olds will soon be able to have their jab at an existing vaccination centre. However, not every site will be able to treat teenagers immediately, so families may not be able to go to their nearest centre. Most doses are being given in school, but children in England will soon be able to visit vaccination centres.
Appointments will have to booked in advance online, once the child's parents have received a letter seeking their consent. Young people aged 16 and 17 are being offered one dose, with the intention of a second at a later date.
It's hoped appointments will be offered during the half-term school holidays.
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.
There is no vaccine currently approved for 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?
Vaccinating children - how the UK comparesVaccinating children - how the UK compares
Why are infections still high when so many are vaccinated? Why are infections high despite vaccinations?
Almost four in five over-12s in the UK are now fully vaccinated, but daily cases are still rising. Almost 80% of all over-12s are fully vaccinated, but Covid cases are rising.
Vaccines are designed to protect people against becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid.Vaccines are designed to protect people against becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid.
According to Public Health England (PHE):According to Public Health England (PHE):
Vaccines are 96% effective at preventing hospitalisationVaccines are 96% effective at preventing hospitalisation
Covid deaths in the double-jabbed are four times lower than in the unvaccinatedCovid 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. But they're less effective at stopping people catching Covid 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.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. PHE studies suggest two vaccine doses protect 80% of people against getting symptoms from the Delta variant.
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.
Why are UK Covid cases so high?Why are UK Covid cases so high?
Covid deaths rare among fully vaccinated - ONS
How can I book my vaccine?How can I book my vaccine?
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 England, adults and those within three months of turning 18 can book first or second jabs online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinic. Sixteen and 17-year-olds should contact their GP.
Twelve to 15-year-olds will soon also be able to book an appointment at an existing vaccination centre online, once their parents have received a letter seeking permission. Children will also have to consent on the day. Parents of twelve to 15-year-olds will soon get a letter about appointments at vaccination centres. Children will also have to consent on the day.
Frontline health or social care workers can book their booster jab online now, but other groups need to wait to be contacted by the NHS first. Frontline health or social care workers can book their booster jab online, but other groups should wait to be contacted by the NHS. If more than six months has passed since their second dose they can call 119.
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 Scotland, over-16s can register for their first or second vaccine online, or by calling 0800 030 8013. Over-12s can go to drop-in vaccination clinics. Invitations will be sent to those entitled to a booster.
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. 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 been offered a third dose.
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 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.
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.
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. Not for most people.
Being fully vaccinated is also a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland. But the government says it's "highly likely" both Covid and flu jabs will be compulsory for frontline NHS and care workers in England.
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). Being fully vaccinated is also a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland and Wales.
England's chief midwife has also urged pregnant women to get the vaccine. It also means you don't have to self-isolate after holidaying abroad or if a contact tests positive (as long as you test negative).
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?