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Covid: What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff and can I get a booster? Covid: What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff and can I get a booster?
(about 3 hours later)
The government is expected to announce frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid. Frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid, the government has announced.
It comes as more people are being encouraged to get a booster jab ahead of winter.It comes as more people are being encouraged to get a booster jab ahead of winter.
What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff?What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff?
A deadline will be set for next spring to give unvaccinated NHS staff time to get both doses, Whitehall sources told the BBC. A deadline of April is being set, to give unvaccinated NHS staff time to get both doses.
The BBC understands that there will be exemptions for medical reasons. The flu vaccine is not expected to be made mandatory. There will be exemptions for medical reasons and for those who do not have face-to-face contact with patients.
The announcement will apply to England only - other UK nations have not made similar proposals. The announcement applies to England only - other UK nations have not made similar proposals.
More than 92% of frontline NHS staff in England have had their first dose and 89% are fully vaccinated. This is higher than the general working-age population, where about 81% have had both doses.More than 92% of frontline NHS staff in England have had their first dose and 89% are fully vaccinated. This is higher than the general working-age population, where about 81% have had both doses.
However, between 80,000 and 100,000 NHS workers in England were unvaccinated, Chris Hopson, head of NHS Providers, said.However, between 80,000 and 100,000 NHS workers in England were unvaccinated, Chris Hopson, head of NHS Providers, said.
There are wide variations between areas - about 95% of staff at Dorset County hospital are fully vaccinated, compared with 80% at Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.There are wide variations between areas - about 95% of staff at Dorset County hospital are fully vaccinated, compared with 80% at Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.
What are the rules for care home staff and others?What are the rules for care home staff and others?
Care home staff in England have until Thursday to get vaccinated (unless they have a medical exemption).Care home staff in England have until Thursday to get vaccinated (unless they have a medical exemption).
Again, this does not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Again, this does not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Vaccination is not compulsory for other people in the UK, although Scotland and Wales require Covid passports to enter some venues and events.Vaccination is not compulsory for other people in the UK, although Scotland and Wales require Covid passports to enter some venues and events.
What is a booster and where can I get one?What is a booster and where can I get one?
A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps people who have already been double-jabbed retain their immunity.A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps people who have already been double-jabbed retain their immunity.
In England, you can now make an advance booking for your booster five months (152 days) after your second dose.In England, you can now make an advance booking for your booster five months (152 days) after your second dose.
You can get the booster itself six months (182 days) since your second dose, either by appointment or at an NHS walk-in centre.You can get the booster itself six months (182 days) since your second dose, either by appointment or at an NHS walk-in centre.
Appointments for a third jab are still needed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Appointments for a third jab are still needed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who is getting the booster?Who is getting the booster?
Rules about whether you're eligible for a booster are the same throughout the UK:Rules about whether you're eligible for a booster are the same throughout the UK:
You're aged 50 or overYou'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 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 or social care worker - take proof of your employment such as workplace photo ID, a letter or a recent payslipYou're a front-line health or 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.The booster will usually be either Pfizer or Moderna - it does not matter if you originally received a different vaccine.
How many people have now been vaccinated?How many people have now been vaccinated?
About 50 million people aged over 12 in the UK have now had at least one dose of Covid vaccine. More than 45 million have had a second dose.About 50 million people aged over 12 in the UK have now had at least one dose of Covid vaccine. More than 45 million have had a second dose.
More than 10.3 million people have now had a third jab. As well as boosters, some people with severely suppressed immune systems are being given a third primary jab as part of their basic vaccination - they may also be offered a booster at a later date.More than 10.3 million people have now had a third jab. As well as boosters, some people with severely suppressed immune systems are being given a third primary jab as part of their basic vaccination - they may also be offered a booster at a later date.
Will complacency damage Covid booster rollout?Will complacency damage Covid booster rollout?
UK booster jabs pass 10m but more needed - PMUK booster jabs pass 10m but more needed - PM
Which children are being vaccinated?Which children are being vaccinated?
All 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK 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.
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.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.
Teenagers in England can now have their jab at school, or a vaccination centre.Teenagers in England can now have their jab at school, or a vaccination centre.
Appointments must be 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.Appointments must be 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.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.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.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
What if I still need to 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; 16 and 17-year-olds should contact their GPIn 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
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 clinicsIn 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
In Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their first two dosesIn Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their first two doses
In Northern Ireland, you can book online or call 0300 200 7813; walk-in centres are open to older teenagersIn Northern Ireland, you can book online or call 0300 200 7813; walk-in centres are open to older teenagers
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.
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?
What else can I do once I'm vaccinated?What else can I do once I'm vaccinated?
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 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.
On arrival you will only have to take a lateral flow test two days after coming back, 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.
What tests do I need to go on holiday abroad?What tests do I need to go on holiday abroad?