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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 government is recruiting an extra 10,000 vaccinators to bolster the booster programme. All over-40s in England are now able to book an appointment to have a Covid booster jab three months after their 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. The government says it aims to offer a booster to all UK adults, as well as a second primary dose to 12 to 15-year-olds.
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 a booster?
When can I have the booster? In England, if you're 40 or over, or in a high-risk group, you can now book to have your booster jab 12 weeks after your second vaccine dose (or third, if you have a weakened immune system and had to have an extra primary dose).
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). You can arrange your booking a month in advance - in other words, from two months (61 days) after your second jab.
Vulnerable people will be contacted first, followed by older age groups, then younger ones. Younger adults will be invited to make an appointment shortly.
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. The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have said all over-18s 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," the health secretary said. In England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs
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. Wales will increase capacity in walk-in clinics and drive-through centres and will work with GPs, soldiers and firefighters to deliver vaccines
In England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs. Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics
Wales will increase capacity in walk-in clinics and drive-through centres and will work with GPs, soldiers and firefighters to deliver vaccines. Scotland will set out its approach "very soon"
Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics. To make space for vaccinations some GPs will be allowed to postpone routine health checks for over-75s and new patients.
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%.
Booster doses are Pfizer and Moderna, regardless of what was given for earlier jabs. You will receive a dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, regardless of which you were given for your earlier jabs.
A UK trial of seven different drugs found these work best, although all the vaccines raised immunity to some degree. A UK trial of seven different drugs found these worked best, although all the vaccines raised immunity to some degree.
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 how effective the current vaccines are against the new variant. Early evidence suggests there may have a higher re-infection risk from Omicron.. It's not yet known exactly how effective the current vaccines are against the new variant.
However, when faced with previous Covid variants, such as Delta, vaccines have still reduced the risk of severe illness. Early evidence suggests there may be a higher re-infection risk from Omicron. The first lab tests of the new variant in South Africa indicate it may partially evade the Pfizer jab, although these studies have not yet been peer-reviewed.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) says existing vaccines should still protect people who contract Omicron from 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 vaccines changed the course of the pandemic
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 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.
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.
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. Al children aged 12 and over will be offered two doses of the Pfizer jab.
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. 16 and 17-year-olds can now book their second dose of the Pfizer jab - this will normally be given 12 weeks after their first
12-15s will be offered a second three months after the first - some have already been invited for a second jab, but NHS systems are still being updated to allow all eligible children to make an appointment
No vaccine is currently approved for under-12s in the UK.No vaccine is currently approved for under-12s in the UK.
Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?
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. Not 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.
All frontline NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) must be fully vaccinated by 1 April.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).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.
Mandatory jabs: Three reasons for and againstMandatory jabs: Three reasons for and against
Why our friends and family still won't get jabbedWhy 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.
In particular, the government wants unvaccinated 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?