This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55045639

The article has changed 272 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 185 Version 186
Covid: Are booster jabs available for my age group? Covid: Are booster jabs available for my age group?
(33 minutes later)
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.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.
The announcement has been made by the government's advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).The announcement has been made by the government's advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
What are the new vaccine guidelines?What are the new vaccine guidelines?
Anyone aged 40 or over can now have a booster vaccine, once six months have passed since their second jab.Anyone aged 40 or over can now have a booster vaccine, once six months have passed since their second jab.
Anyone aged 16 or 17 can now have a second jab, as long as it is 12 weeks since their first.Anyone aged 16 or 17 can now have a second jab, as long as it is 12 weeks since their first.
What is a booster?What is a booster?
A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps prolong protection in the double-jabbed, particularly in older age groups.A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, which helps prolong protection in the double-jabbed, particularly in older age groups.
Boosters have already been offered to anyone over-50, frontline medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk.Boosters have already been offered to anyone over-50, frontline medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk.
Immunity against Covid-19 declines more quickly in older people than younger age groups, although protection against serious illness is still pretty high.Immunity against Covid-19 declines more quickly in older people than younger age groups, although protection against serious illness is still pretty high.
Having three doses offers a 93% protection against symptomatic disease, according to UK Health Security Agency data from people aged 50 and over.Having three doses offers a 93% protection against symptomatic disease, according to UK Health Security Agency data from people aged 50 and over.
Covid booster doses to be offered to over 40sCovid booster doses to be offered to over 40s
If eligible, you can get the jab six months (182 days) since your second dose.If eligible, you can get the jab six months (182 days) since your second dose.
One dose of Pfizer or a half-dose of Moderna will be offered as a booster, with both giving a good protection. One dose of Pfizer or a half-dose of Moderna will be offered as a booster, with both giving good protection.
Who can get a booster?Who can get a booster?
The amended rules are the same throughout the UK:The amended rules are the same throughout the UK:
You're aged 40 or overYou're aged 40 or over
You're aged 16 or over, with a health condition that puts you at high risk from CovidYou're aged 16 or over, with a health condition that puts you at high risk from Covid
You're a front-line health or social care workerYou're a front-line health or social care worker
Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individualsAdult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
How do I get one?How do I get one?
You can wait to be contacted for an appointment, or - depending on where you live - book online.You can wait to be contacted for an appointment, or - depending on where you live - book online.
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.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.
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.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.
Anyone who is entitled to a booster in Wales should wait for an appointment.Anyone who is entitled to a booster in Wales should wait for an appointment.
Which children are being vaccinated?Which children are being vaccinated?
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.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.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
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?
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 46 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 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.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?Will complacency damage Covid booster rollout?
What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff?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.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.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).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.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.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.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''It's been sad losing workers over Covid jabs'
Booking a first or second vaccineBooking 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.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
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?