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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 2 hours later)
The UK's Covid vaccine programme is being ramped up as a response to concerns about the newly identified Omicron variant. The UK's Covid vaccine programme is being expanded amid concerns about the Omicron variant.
All UK adults will now be offered a booster jab, and a second vaccine dose will be offered to children aged 12-15. The government says it will offer all adults a booster by the end of January - and a second vaccine dose will be offered to children aged 12-15.
Who's now eligible for a booster vaccine? How soon can I get the booster?
When you are contacted will depend on your age and whether you are in an at-risk group.
Vulnerable people will be contacted first, then over-40s and older people, then younger age groups.
However, people are being asked not to contact the NHS about their booster jab.
"We will let you know when it's your turn," NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said.
Across England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs, with temporary vaccination hubs "popping up like Christmas trees", Boris Johnson said.
Scotland and Wales have yet to finalise details of how boosters will be given out. Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics to meet demand.
Why do I need a booster?
The JCVI - the government's vaccine advisers - have recommended an expansion of the vaccine programme, with all adults now being offered a booster jab, three months after their second vaccine dose.The JCVI - the government's vaccine advisers - have recommended an expansion of the vaccine programme, with all adults now being offered a booster jab, three months after their second vaccine dose.
A booster is an extra dose of vaccine, which prolongs protection, and can cut the risk of infection by more than 93%.A booster is an extra dose of vaccine, which prolongs protection, and can cut the risk of infection by more than 93%.
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.
The booster will either be the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, regardless of what you received for your first two jabs.The booster will either be the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, regardless of what you received for your first two jabs.
How worrying is the new Covid variant?How worrying is the new Covid variant?
How soon can I get the booster?
You can wait to be contacted, or - depending on where you live in the UK - book online, or call 119.
How soon you are contacted will depend on your age and whether you are in an at-risk group.
NHS England's booking website says it is still working on the plans, meaning booster jab appointments for 18-39s are not yet available to book.
A notice on the website says that it will be changed once the service is updated and advises people to wait to be contacted by the NHS.
Is the booster effective against Omicron?Is the booster effective against Omicron?
It's not yet known whether current vaccines work as effectively against the new variant.It's not yet known whether current vaccines work as effectively against the new variant.
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.
If necessary, pharmaceutical companies say they could update vaccines to match the Omicron variant in around 100 days.If necessary, pharmaceutical companies say they could update vaccines to match the Omicron variant in around 100 days.
How many people have already had a booster?How many people have already had a booster?
The latest data show almost 17.9 million booster jabs have been given in the UK.The latest data show almost 17.9 million booster jabs have been given in the UK.
Another 7.8 million people are eligible for their booster but have yet to receive one.Another 7.8 million people are eligible for their booster but have yet to receive one.
Despite 500 new vaccination sites opening since April, the rate of vaccination dropped from a peak of nearly 800,000 a day in March 2021, to under 500,000 currently.Despite 500 new vaccination sites opening since April, the rate of vaccination dropped from a peak of nearly 800,000 a day in March 2021, to under 500,000 currently.
The government has particularly urged pregnant women to come forward to be vaccinated. New figures show that 1,714 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with Covid between 1 February and the end of September, 98% of whom were unvaccinated.The government has particularly urged pregnant women to come forward to be vaccinated. New figures show that 1,714 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with Covid between 1 February and the end of September, 98% of whom were unvaccinated.
How many people are vaccinated in the UK?How many people are vaccinated in the UK?
The vaccine fertility myths that just won't go awayThe vaccine fertility myths that just won't go away
People with all three vaccines have reached 31%People with all three vaccines have reached 31%
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 and will be offered a second three months after the first - details of how this will be organised have yet to be confirmed.All 12 to 15-year-olds in the UK are being currently offered a single Pfizer Covid jab and will be offered a second three months after the first - details of how this will be organised have yet to be confirmed.
There is no vaccine currently approved for under-12s in the UK.There is no vaccine currently approved for under-12s in the UK.
Why are 12-15s now being double-jabbed?Why are 12-15s now being double-jabbed?
What difference will jabbing young teens make?What difference will jabbing young teens make?
Is the vaccine compulsory?Is the vaccine compulsory?
No, but all frontline NHS staff in England (with some exemptions) will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by 1 April.No, but all frontline NHS staff in England (with some exemptions) will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by 1 April.
Care home staff in England must now be vaccinated (unless they are exempted).Care home staff in England must now be vaccinated (unless they are exempted).
Scotland and Wales require Covid passports to enter some venues and events, as do a number of foreign countries.Scotland and Wales require Covid passports to enter some venues and events, as do a number of foreign countries.
In England and Wales you can prove you've been vaccinated with an NHS Covid Pass. This also now records whether you have received your booster.In England and Wales you can prove you've been vaccinated with an NHS Covid Pass. This also now records whether you have received your booster.
The equivalent pass for Scotland is the NHS Scotland Covid Status App, and in Northern Ireland it's the COVIDCert NI app.The equivalent pass for Scotland is the NHS Scotland Covid Status App, and in Northern Ireland it's the COVIDCert NI app.
Who needs a Covid passport and how do I get one?Who needs a Covid passport and how do I get one?
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
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?