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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 20 hours later)
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 is recruiting an extra 10,000 vaccinators to bolster the booster programme.
Twelve to 15-year-olds will also be offered a second dose. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said 350 military personnel would also be deployed in England to help give jabs, and more than 100 in Scotland.
All UK adults will be offered a Covid booster, and 12 to 15-year-olds will be able to have a second primary dose.
When can I have the booster?When can I have the booster?
You will be offered a booster dose three months after your second dose (or third, if you have a weakened immune system). Assuming they had both primary doses in the UK, all adults are now being offered a booster dose three months after their second dose (or third, if they have a weakened immune system).
Vulnerable people will be contacted first, followed by older age groups, then younger ones.Vulnerable people will be contacted first, followed by older age 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. The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have said all adults will be offered a booster by the end of January - although some may not get the jab until later.
Rather than contact the NHS for an appointment, "people should wait to be called", Health Secretary Sajid Javid said. Rather than contact the NHS for an appointment, "people should wait to be called," the health secretary said.
The central government vaccines website says the NHS is still working on expanding the programme, and not all new eligible groups can book an appointment yet.
In England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs.In England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs.
Wales will increase capacity in clinics and drive-through centres and will work with GPs and others - including soldiers and firefighters - to deliver vaccines. Wales will increase capacity in walk-in clinics and drive-through centres and will work with GPs, soldiers and firefighters to deliver vaccines.
Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics.Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics.
Scotland says it will set out its approach "very soon". Scotland will set out its approach "very soon".
To make space for vaccinations some GPs will be able to postpone routine health checks for over-75s and new patients.
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?
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 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being used, regardless of what you received for earlier jabs. Booster doses are Pfizer and Moderna, regardless of what was given for earlier jabs.
A UK trial of seven different drugs has found that these give the best overall boost response, although all the vaccines raised immunity to some degree. A UK trial of seven different drugs found these work best, although all the vaccines raised immunity to some degree.
Researchers also said there were promising signs the boosters would still protect against illness and death from Omicron.
How many people are vaccinated in the UK?How many people are vaccinated in the UK?
Who will give the boosters?
Only people legally allowed to prescribe and administer the vaccine can do so.
The UK Health Security Agency is currently revising the rules so volunteers and other vaccinators can give people boosters under the newly-tweaked schedule.
Do vaccines work against Omicron?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. It's not yet known how effective the current vaccines are against the new variant. Early evidence suggests there may have a higher re-infection risk from Omicron..
However, when faced with other Covid variants, such as Delta, vaccines have still reduced the risk of severe illness. However, when faced with previous 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.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?
What if I'm ill or have had Covid?What if I'm ill or have had Covid?
If you've tested positive you must wait four weeks (28 days), from the date of the test, before having your booster. 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, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation. The longer gap doesn't apply to children at higher risk. Children aged 12 to 17 should wait 12 weeks after a positive result, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation. The longer gap doesn't apply to children at higher risk.
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 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.
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 will normally be given 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. 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. Systems are still being updated to make this happen.
No vaccine is 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?
Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?
No. but all frontline NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) will have to be fully vaccinated by 1 April. It is not compulsory in the UK, although it will be mandatory in Austria from next year, and Germany may follow. A number of European countries have also tightened restrictions for the unvaccinated.
Care home staff in England must now be vaccinated (unless exempt). All frontline NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) must be fully vaccinated by 1 April.
Care home staff in England must already be vaccinated (unless exempt).
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland require Covid passports to enter some venues and events.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland require Covid passports to enter some venues and events.
Who needs a Covid passport? Mandatory jabs: Three reasons for and against
Why our friends and family still won't get jabbed
What if I haven't had 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.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 particular, the government wants unvaccinated 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 8013In Scotland, over-16s can register for their first or second vaccine online, or by calling 0800 030 8013
In Wales, adults can contact their local health boardIn 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.
And a very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after 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?