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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?
(1 day later)
The UK's Covid vaccine programme is being expanded amid concerns about the Omicron variant. The UK government is buying 114 million more doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, following the announcement that a booster will be offered to all adults.
The government says all eligible adults in England will be offered the chance to book a booster by end of January. However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid says "people should wait to be called", before contacting the NHS. Twelve to 15-year-olds will also be offered a second dose.
A second vaccine dose will be offered to children aged 12-15. When can I have the booster?
How soon can I get the booster? You will be offered a booster dose three months after your second dose (or third, if you have a weakened immune system).
When you are contacted will depend on your age and whether you are in an at-risk group. Vulnerable people will be contacted first, followed by older age groups, then younger ones.
Vulnerable people will be contacted first, then over-40s and older groups, then younger ones. The UK and Scottish governments have said all eligible adults will be offered a booster by the end of January - although some may be given at a later date.
"We will let you know when it's your turn," said NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard. Rather than contact the NHS for an appointment, "people should wait to be called", Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.
Across England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs, with temporary vaccination clinics "popping up like Christmas trees", Boris Johnson said. In England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs.
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. Wales will increase capacity in clinics and drive-through centres and will work with GPs and others - including soldiers and firefighters - to deliver vaccines.
Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics.
Scotland says it will set out its approach "very soon".
Can the NHS boost the booster programme?Can the NHS boost the booster programme?
Why do I need a booster?Why do I need a booster?
The JCVI - which advises the government on vaccines - has 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%. The booster will usually be the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, regardless of what you received for earlier jabs.
This could be important as early evidence suggests the new Omicron variant has a higher re-infection risk than other strains. AstraZeneca is also approved, but is thought to be less effective.
The booster will either be the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, regardless of what you received for your first two jabs. How many people are vaccinated in the UK?
Do vaccines work against Omicron?
It's not yet known whether current vaccines are as effective against the new variant. Early evidence suggests it may have a higher re-infection risk.
However, when faced with other Covid variants, such as Delta, vaccines have still reduced the risk of severe illness.
If necessary, pharmaceutical companies say they could update vaccines to resist Omicron in about 100 days.
How worrying is the new Covid variant?How worrying is the new Covid variant?
How can I tell I have Omicron?How can I tell I have Omicron?
Is the booster effective against Omicron?
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.
If necessary, pharmaceutical companies say they could update vaccines to match the Omicron variant in around 100 days.
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. If you've tested positive you must wait four weeks (28 days), from the date of the test, before having your booster.
Children aged 12 to 17 should wait 12 weeks after a positive test before having the jab, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation. Children aged 12 to 17 should wait 12 weeks after a positive test, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation. The longer gap doesn't apply to children at higher risk.
The longer gap doesn't apply to children who are at higher risk from the virus. You shouldn't have the booster if you have a severe illness or high fever. However, patient information from 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.
How many people have already had a booster?
The latest data show 18.2 million booster jabs have been given in the UK, which is around a third of those eligible.
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 at the moment.
The government has particularly urged pregnant women to come forward to be vaccinated.
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?
The vaccine fertility myths that just won't go away
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 will normally be given 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.
There is no vaccine currently approved for under-12s in the UK. No vaccine is 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? Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?
Is the vaccine compulsory? No. but all frontline NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) will have to be fully vaccinated by 1 April.
No, but all frontline NHS staff in England (barring some exceptions) will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid by 1 April.
Care home staff in England must now be vaccinated (unless exempt).Care home staff in England must now be vaccinated (unless exempt).
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland require Covid passports to enter some venues and events, as do a number of foreign countries. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland require Covid passports to enter some venues and events.
Who needs a Covid passport and how do I get one? Who needs a Covid passport?
How do I book my first or second vaccine? What if I haven't had my first or second vaccine?
You can still book your first or second jab. You need to wait eight weeks between the first and second, and a further three months before your booster.
The government has particularly urged pregnant women to come forward.
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 clinics In Scotland, over-16s can register for their first or second vaccine online, or by calling 0800 030 8013
In Wales, adults should contact their local health board if they've not been offered their first two doses In Wales, adults can contact their local health board
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. And a very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after 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?