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Covid: What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff and can I get a booster? Covid: Are booster jabs available for my age group?
(4 days later)
Frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by 1 April, the government has announced. All over-40s in the UK will be offered a third dose of Covid vaccine, and 16 and 17-year-olds are to be given a second jab.
It comes as more people are being encouraged to get a booster jab ahead of winter. The announcement has been made by the government's advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff? What are the new vaccine guidelines?
The April deadline is designed to give unvaccinated NHS staff time to get both doses. Anyone aged 40 or over can now have a booster vaccine, once six months have passed since their second jab.
There will be exemptions for medical reasons and for those who don't have face-to-face contact with patients. Anyone aged 16 or 17 can now have a second jab, as long as it is 12 weeks since their first.
The announcement only applies to England. The Welsh government has ruled out compulsory jabs, while Northern Ireland will run a public consultation. What is a booster?
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said 93% of NHS staff in England had had their first dose, and 90% were fully vaccinated. This is higher than the general working-age population, where about 81% have had both doses. A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps prolong protection in the double-jabbed, particularly in older age groups.
But it still leaves 103,000 workers unvaccinated, Mr Javid told MPs. Boosters have already been offered to anyone over-50, frontline medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk.
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. Immunity against Covid-19 declines more quickly in older people than younger age groups, although protection against serious illness is still pretty high.
'NHS could lose experienced staff over Covid jabs' Having three doses offers a 93% protection against symptomatic disease, according to UK Health Security Agency data from people aged 50 and over.
What are the rules for care home staff and others? Covid booster doses to be offered to over 40s
Care home staff in England had until Thursday 11 November to get vaccinated (unless they have a medical exemption). If eligible, you can get the jab six months (182 days) since your second dose.
The requirement does not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. One dose of Pfizer or a half-dose of Moderna will be offered as a booster, with both giving a good protection.
Vaccination is not compulsory for other people in the UK, although people who've had both doses don't need to self-isolate after contact with a positive case. Who can get a booster?
Scotland and Wales also require Covid passports to enter some venues and events, as do a number of foreign countries. The amended rules are the same throughout the UK:
'It's been sad losing workers over Covid jabs' You're aged 40 or over
What is a booster and where can I get one? You're aged 16 or over, with a health condition that puts you at high risk from Covid
A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps people who've already been double-jabbed retain their immunity. You're a front-line health or social care worker
In England, you can book your booster five months (152 days) after your second dose. Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
You can get the jab itself six months (182 days) since your second dose, either by appointment or at an NHS walk-in centre. How do I get one?
Appointments for a third jab are still needed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can wait to be contacted for an appointment, or - depending on where you live - book online.
Who's getting the booster? In England, you can book your booster five months (152 days) after your second dose, either by appointment or at an NHS walk-in centre.
Rules about whether you're eligible for a booster are the same throughout the UK: An online booking portal has been launched in Scotland, and will soon be extended to people in their 40s. In Northern Ireland, appointments for over 50s and other eligible groups are available in pharmacies.
You're aged 50 or over Anyone who is entitled to a booster in Wales should wait for an appointment.
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 payslip
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.
More than 10.9 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?
UK 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. The JCVI said 16 and 17-year-olds should come forward for a second dose of the Pfizer jab - which should be given at least 12 weeks after the first.
Meanwhile, all 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK are being offered a single Pfizer Covid jab.
In Scotland, 12- to 15-year-olds are being invited to make an appointment or get vaccinated at drop-in centresIn Scotland, 12- to 15-year-olds are being invited to make an appointment or get vaccinated at drop-in centres
In England teenagers can have their jab at school, or book an appointment at a vaccination centre, some of which also offer a drop-in serviceIn England teenagers can have their jab at school, or book an appointment at a vaccination centre, some of which also offer a drop-in service
In Wales,vaccination centres are also being usedIn Wales,vaccination centres are also being used
In Northern Ireland jabs are expected to roll out through schools during NovemberIn Northern Ireland jabs are expected to roll out through schools during November
Young people aged 16 and 17 are also being offered one vaccine 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?What difference will jabbing young teens make?
What if I still need to book my vaccine? 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 46 million have had a second dose.
More than 12.6 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?
What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff?
The government has announced that frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by 1 April.
There will be exemptions for medical reasons and for those who don't have face-to-face contact with patients.
And care home staff in England had until Thursday 11 November to get vaccinated (unless they have a medical exemption).
These announcements only apply to England.
Vaccination is not compulsory for other people in the UK, although people who've had both doses don't need to self-isolate after contact with a positive case.
Scotland and Wales also require Covid passports to enter some venues and events, as do a number of foreign countries.
'It's been sad losing workers over Covid jabs'
Booking a first or second 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.
The booster will usually be either Pfizer or Moderna, regardless of which type was originally given.The booster will usually be either Pfizer or Moderna, regardless of which type was originally given.
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?