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Covid: When can I get my Covid booster jab? Covid: When can I get my Covid booster jab?
(8 days later)
The health secretary has said that full Covid vaccination is likely to be made mandatory for NHS workers. It's now possible for many people in England to get a Covid booster jab simply by turning up at a walk-in site.
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. The NHS wants people to take up the offer ahead of the winter.
What has the health secretary said? What is a booster and where can I get one?
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". A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps people who have already been double-jabbed retain their immunity.
"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. In England you can check the NHS online walk-in finder, which will tell you where your nearest booster site is.
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). There are hundreds of sites - NHS England says nearly everyone registered with a GP lives within 10 miles of one.
Who is getting the booster?
You can get a booster dose at a walk-in centre in England if it's been six months (182 days) since your second dose, and:
You're aged 50 or over
You're aged 16 or over, with a health condition that puts you at high risk from Covid; you should receive a letter reminding you to have your booster dose, which you should take to the walk-in centre (you can also take a letter from your GP or consultant about your health condition)
You're a front-line health and social care worker - take proof of your employment such as workplace photo ID, a letter or a recent payslip
The booster will usually be either Pfizer or Moderna - it does not matter if you originally received a different vaccine.
Rules about who's eligible for a booster are the same throughout the UK, but appointments for a third jab are still needed in Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland.
How many people have now been vaccinated?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. About 50 million people in the UK have now had at least one dose of Covid vaccine.
Across the UK, boosters are being offered to: About 6.7 million people in England have been offered a third jab. As well as boosters, some people with severely suppressed immune systems were given a third jab as part of their basic vaccination - they may also be offered a booster at a later date.
Over-50s Nearly 700,000 booster jabs have been delivered in Scotland; 79,000 have been given in Northern Ireland and 322,000 in Wales.
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 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.
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.
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?
Which children are being vaccinated?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 in the UK are being offered a single Pfizer Covid jab.
The rollout is underway in England, Scotland and Wales, and will start shortly in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, as well as being invited to book an appointment at a clinic, 12 to 15-year-olds can get vaccinated at drop-in centres.
Most doses are being given in school, but children in England will soon be able to visit vaccination centres. Teenagers in England can now have their jab at school, or a vaccination centre.
Young people aged 16 and 17 are being offered one dose, with the intention of a second at a later date. Appointments will have to booked in advance online, once the child's parents have received a letter seeking their permission. Children will have to consent again at the time of the jab.
Vaccination centres are also being used in Wales, with different arrangements in place between areas.
Jabs in Northern Ireland are expected to roll out through schools during November.
Young people aged 16 and 17 are also being offered one dose, but 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
How can I book my vaccine? What if I still need to 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; 16 and 17-year-olds should contact their GP
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. 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
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 Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their first two doses
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 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 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.
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.
Why are infections still so high?
Covid cases are rising despite the number of people who have been vaccinated.
This is because the vaccines are designed to protect people from becoming serious ill or dying from Covid.
They're less effective at stopping people catching Covid or passing it on.
Why are UK Covid cases so high?
What else will vaccination allow me to do?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).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.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. It means you don't have to take a test before setting off to the UK 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. On arrival you will only have to take a lateral flow test two days after coming back, 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.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 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?
Is vaccination compulsory?
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).
The health secretary has said that vaccination is likely to be made compulsory for NHS workers, although ministers have "yet to make the final decision".