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Covid: Who can have a booster jab and how can you get one? Covid: Who can have a booster jab and how can you get one?
(2 days 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.
It follows new recommendations from the government's advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).It follows new recommendations from the government's advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Pregnant women are also being urged to get vaccinated.Pregnant women are also being urged to get vaccinated.
What are the new vaccine guidelines?What are the new vaccine guidelines?
People aged 40-49 are now entitled to have a booster jab, six months after their second dosePeople aged 40-49 are now entitled to have a booster jab, six months after their second dose
Those aged 16 or 17 can now have a second jab, 12 weeks after their firstThose aged 16 or 17 can now have a second jab, 12 weeks after their first
Pregnant women are a key target groupPregnant women are a key target group
What is a booster? What is a booster and who can get one?
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 had already been offered to anyone aged 50 or older, frontline medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk from Covid.
Having three doses offers a 93% protection against symptomatic disease, according to UK Health Security Agency data.Having three doses offers a 93% protection against symptomatic disease, according to UK Health Security Agency data.
Who can get a booster? The amended rule for who can get a booster 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
You're an adult who lives with an immunosuppressed personYou're an adult who lives with an immunosuppressed person
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.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.
How many people are vaccinated in the UK?How many people are vaccinated in the UK?
How do I get one? How do I get my booster?
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 pre-book your booster five months (152 days) after your second dose. You will be offered an appointment six months (182 days) after your second jab. Alternatively, after six months, you can go directly to an NHS walk-in centre.In England, you can pre-book your booster five months (152 days) after your second dose. You will be offered an appointment six months (182 days) after your second jab. Alternatively, after six months, you can go directly to an NHS walk-in centre.
The NHS vaccine website says 40 to 49-year-olds should be able to book appointments from Monday 22 November.The NHS vaccine website says 40 to 49-year-olds should be able to book appointments from Monday 22 November.
An online booking portal has been launched in Scotland, and will soon be extended to people in their 40s, once earlier priority groups have been given their booster.An online booking portal has been launched in Scotland, and will soon be extended to people in their 40s, once earlier priority groups have been given their booster.
In Northern Ireland, appointments for over-50s and other eligible groups are available in pharmacies.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.
What if I'm ill or have had Covid?What if I'm ill or have had Covid?
Across the UK, if you've tested positive for Covid, you must wait four weeks (28 days) before having the booster, counting from the date of the test.Across the UK, if you've tested positive for Covid, you must wait four weeks (28 days) before having the booster, counting from the date of the test.
New guidance from the UK Health Security Agency says children aged 12 to 17 should wait 12 weeks before having the jab. This is a precaution against the extremely small risk of heart inflammation.
The longer gap does not apply to children who are deemed to be at higher risk.
You should not have the booster if you have a severe illness or high fever, but the patient information from both Pfizer and Moderna says a mild fever or a cold are not reasons to delay.You should not have the booster if you have a severe illness or high fever, but the patient information from both Pfizer and Moderna says a mild fever or a cold are not reasons to delay.
Does the booster dose show up in the NHS app?Does the booster dose show up in the NHS app?
At the moment only the first and second Covid vaccine doses are listed in the NHS App (not the NHS Covid-19 app which alerts you if you've been close to someone with the virus). Until very recently, only the first and second Covid vaccine doses were listed in the NHS App (not the NHS Covid-19 app which alerts you if you've been close to someone with the virus).
If you're aged 16 or over, the app generates an NHS Covid Pass which can be used to prove your vaccination status in the UK or abroad.If you're aged 16 or over, the app generates an NHS Covid Pass which can be used to prove your vaccination status in the UK or abroad.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there were plans to add boosters to the app, as we "have to adjust our concept of what constitutes a full vaccination". Some people can now see the third dose listed in the app under "your Covid-19 vaccine record", but others have reported a delay in the information appearing.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said boosters would be added to the app, as we "adjust our concept of what constitutes a full vaccination".
Who needs a Covid passport and how do I get one?Who needs a Covid passport and how do I get one?
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?
What about pregnant women?What about pregnant women?
The government has also highlighted the particular risks facing pregnant women. New figures show that, of the 1,714 pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid between 1 February and the end of September, 98% weren't vaccinated.The government has also highlighted the particular risks facing pregnant women. New figures show that, of the 1,714 pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid between 1 February and the end of September, 98% weren't vaccinated.
More than 98% of those admitted to intensive care over the same period were unvaccinated.More than 98% of those admitted to intensive care over the same period were unvaccinated.
England's Chief Medical Office Professor Chris Whitty has urged every woman who is pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) to get their jab:England's Chief Medical Office Professor Chris Whitty has urged every woman who is pregnant (or planning to become pregnant) to get their jab:
"All the medical opinion is really clear that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks in every area.""All the medical opinion is really clear that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks in every area."
Rise in pregnant women needing Covid ICU treatmentRise in pregnant women needing Covid ICU treatment
Carrie Johnson urges pregnant women to get vaccineCarrie Johnson urges pregnant women to get vaccine
The vaccine fertility myths that just won't go awayThe vaccine fertility myths that just won't go away
What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff?What are the vaccine rules for NHS staff?
All frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by 1 April.All 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.
Care home staff in England had until Thursday 11 November to get vaccinated (unless they had a medical exemption).Care home staff in England had until Thursday 11 November to get vaccinated (unless they had a medical exemption).
These rules only apply in England.These rules only apply in England.
Vaccination is not compulsory for other people in the UK, although people who've had two 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 two 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.
How do I book my first or second vaccine?How do I book my first or second vaccine?
In England, anyone aged 16 or over can book first or second jabs online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinicIn England, anyone aged 16 or over can book first or second jabs online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinic
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.
Most boosters will be one dose of Pfizer or a half-dose of Moderna, regardless of which jab you initially received.Most boosters will be one dose of Pfizer or a half-dose of Moderna, regardless of which jab you initially received.
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?