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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?
(about 4 hours later)
An expansion of the booster programme could be announced, because of concern about the Omicron variant. All UK adults will be offered a Covid booster, the government has announced.
It could mean under 40s being offered boosters and the time between jabs being cut. Children aged 12 to 15 will also be offered a second dose.
Second jabs for children and boosters are changing
A series of changes have been announced by the government, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI):
18- to 39-year-olds will be offered booster jabs
Boosters will be prioritised according to age and being in an at risk group
The minimum gap between receiving a second Covid vaccine dose and booster will be halved to three months
Children aged 12 to 15 to be offered a second dose three months after the first
Severely immunosuppressed people to be offered a fourth dose of the vaccine as a booster
What is a booster?What is a booster?
A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, to prolong protection.A booster is an extra dose of Covid vaccine, to prolong protection.
Three doses cuts the risk of infection by more than 93%, the UK Health Security Agency says.Three doses cuts the risk of infection by more than 93%, the UK Health Security Agency says.
This could be important as early evidence suggests the new Omicron variant has a higher re-infection risk than other strains.This could be important as early evidence suggests the new Omicron variant has a higher re-infection risk than other strains.
Scientists to announce advice on booster rolloutScientists to announce advice on booster rollout
Who is eligible for a booster?Who is eligible for a booster?
Across the UK, you can currently get a booster if:Across the UK, you can currently get a booster if:
You're 40 or overYou're 40 or over
You're 16 or over, with a health condition that puts you at high risk from CovidYou're 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 living with an immunosuppressed personYou're an adult living with an immunosuppressed person
Some people with severely suppressed immune systems receive a third jab anyway - and may get a booster at a later date.Some people with severely suppressed immune systems receive a third jab anyway - and may get 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 a booster?How do I get a booster?
You can wait to be contacted, or - depending on where you live - book online, or call 119.You can wait to be contacted, or - depending on where you live - book online, or call 119.
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. Or, after six months, you can go to an NHS walk-in centreIn 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. Or, after six months, you can go to an NHS walk-in centre
In Scotlandpeople aged 40 to 49 will be offered the booster jab, once other priority groups have been given theirs In Scotland people aged 40 to 49 will be offered the booster jab, once other priority groups have been given theirs
In Wales, the booster is by appointment only. The government says most eligible people - including over-40s - should receive an invitation before the end of DecemberIn Wales, the booster is by appointment only. The government says most eligible people - including over-40s - should receive an invitation before the end of December
In Northern Ireland two walk-in centres are offering boosters for the over-40s, with more planned and online booking expected soonIn Northern Ireland two walk-in centres are offering boosters for the over-40s, with more planned and online booking expected soon
Will the booster be effective against Omicron?Will the booster be effective against Omicron?
Current vaccines are not a perfect match for Omicron and may not work as effectively.Current vaccines are not a perfect match for Omicron and may not work as effectively.
However, when faced with other Covid variants, such as Delta, the vaccines have still been able to reduce the risk of severe illness.However, when faced with other Covid variants, such as Delta, the vaccines have still been able to reduce the risk of severe illness.
Scientists will be studying closely how the vaccines perform against Omicron.Scientists will be studying closely how the vaccines perform against Omicron.
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.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.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.
What has been the uptake of the booster?
The latest data shows that more than 17.5 million booster jabs have been administered in the UK.
People with all three vaccines have reached 31%
However, there are still 7.8 million people who have had their second dose at least six months ago and are therefore eligible for their booster who have yet to receive one.
Despite there being 500 new vaccination sites since April this year, the rate of vaccination has dropped from the peak of nearly 800,000 a day in March 2021 to under 500,000 currently.
There have been concerns raised previously to the BBC that at this rate priority groups will not receive their boosters before January.
Does the booster dose show up in the NHS app?Does the booster dose show up in the NHS app?
If you're aged 16 or over, the NHS App generates an NHS Covid Pass which can be used to prove your vaccination status in the UK or abroad (not to be confused with 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 NHS App generates an NHS Covid Pass which can be used to prove your vaccination status in the UK or abroad (not to be confused with the NHS Covid-19 app which alerts you if you've been close to someone with the virus).
The NHS Covid Pass now also records whether users in England have had a booster dose. This will not be immediately available through the Covid Pass letter service, which will be updated in due course.The NHS Covid Pass now also records whether users in England have had a booster dose. This will not be immediately available through the Covid Pass letter service, which will be updated in due course.
Boosters will appear on the Covid Pass in Wales from 29 November.Boosters will appear on the Covid Pass in Wales from 29 November.
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?
All 16 and 17-year-olds can now book a second dose of the Pfizer jab - this should be given at least 12 weeks after their first.All 16 and 17-year-olds can now book a second dose of the Pfizer jab - this should be given at least 12 weeks after their first.
All 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK are being currently offered a single Pfizer Covid jab.All 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK are being currently 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?