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Covid: When can I get my Covid booster jab? Covid: When can I get my Covid booster jab?
(4 days later)
More than four million people across the UK have had a Covid booster. The health secretary has said that full Covid vaccination is likely to be made mandatory for NHS workers.
Healthy children aged 12-15 are being offered a single dose. An estimated 86% of people aged 12 and over in the UK have now had at least one dose, and a booster campaign is underway for the most vulnerable.
Who will get a booster? What has the health secretary said?
Across the UK, booster jabs are being offered to: Sajid Javid told the BBC that he was "minded to" introduce compulsory vaccination for NHS workers, although ministers have "yet to make the final decision".
"It's not only right for someone working in the NHS because naturally they're more likely to come into contact with Covid... but also for those they're caring for", he said.
Vaccination is not compulsory in the UK, although care home staff in England have been told that they must be fully vaccinated by 11 November (unless they have a medical exemption).
How many people have now been vaccinated?
About 50 million people have now had at least one dose, and more than five million people in England have been offered a further booster jab this autumn.
Across the UK, boosters 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 sharing a home with vulnerable peopleAdults sharing a home with vulnerable people
The dose must be given at least six months after a second vaccination. Usually it will be Pfizer or Moderna.The dose must be given at least six months after a second vaccination. Usually it will be Pfizer or Moderna.
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. Nearly 500,000 booster jabs have been delivered in Scotland and 50,000 have been given in Northern Ireland. Figures from Wales earlier this month showed that 130,000 people had received it.
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. Some people with severely suppressed immune systems have been given a third jab as part of their basic vaccination. This is not to be confused with the booster, although these people may also get boosters at a later date.
How can I get a flu jab?How can I get a flu jab?
Which children can have the Covid vaccine? Which children are being vaccinated?
All 12 to 15-year-olds are being offered a single Pfizer Covid jab.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 will start shortly in Northern Ireland. The rollout is underway in England, Scotland and Wales, and will start shortly in Northern Ireland.
Most doses are being given in school, but children in England will soon be able to visit vaccination centres.Most doses are being given in school, but children in England will soon be able to visit vaccination centres.
Young people aged 16 and 17 are being offered one dose, with the intention of a second at a later date.Young people aged 16 and 17 are 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?
Vaccinating children - how the UK comparesVaccinating children - how the UK compares
Why are infections high despite vaccinations?
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.
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 catching Covid or passing it on.
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.
Why are UK Covid cases so high?
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 first or second jabs online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinic. Sixteen 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.
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. Parents of children aged 12-15-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, 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.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 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 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 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.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.Under-18s are currently being offered Pfizer, although the Moderna vaccine has also been authorised for use in children.
Is vaccination compulsory? Why are infections still so high?
Not for most people. Covid cases are rising despite the number of people who have been vaccinated.
But the government says it's "highly likely" both Covid and flu jabs will be compulsory for frontline NHS and care workers in England. This is because the vaccines are designed to protect people from becoming serious ill or dying from Covid.
Being fully vaccinated is also a condition of entry for nightclubs and some other events in Scotland and Wales. They're less effective at stopping people catching Covid or passing it on.
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). Why are UK Covid cases so high?
The vaccine fertility myths that just won't go away What else will vaccination allow me to do?
If a close contact tests positive for Covid, you do not need to self-isolate if you have been fully vaccinated (as long as you can test negative).
Full vaccination makes international travel far simpler and cheaper.
It means you don't have to take a test before setting off to the UK (if you're travelling from a non-red-list country) and you don't have to self-isolate on returning to the UK.
If you're travelling to England (or Wales from 31 October) you only have to take a lateral flow test two days after arriving, rather than a more expensive PCR test.
Being fully vaccinated is a condition of entry for nightclubs and many large events in Scotland and Wales.
What tests do I need to go on holiday abroad?
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.
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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?