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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)
All over-40s in England are now able to book an appointment to have a Covid booster jab three months after their second dose. All over-40s in the UK are now able to book an appointment to have a Covid booster jab three months after their second dose.
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.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.
When can I have a booster?When can I have a 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).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).
You can arrange your booking a month in advance - in other words, from two months (61 days) after your second jab.You can arrange your booking a month in advance - in other words, from two months (61 days) after your second jab.
Younger adults will be invited to make an appointment shortly.Younger adults will be invited to make an appointment shortly.
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.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.
In England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubsIn England, jabs will be rolled out at 1,500 community pharmacy sites and extra hospital hubs
Wales will increase capacity in walk-in clinics and drive-through centres and will work with GPs, soldiers and firefighters to deliver vaccinesWales 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 and is prioritising 40 to 49-year-oldsNorthern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics and is prioritising 40 to 49-year-olds
Scotland is focussing on the over-40s, and all 40 to 60-year-olds have been directly invited to get their booster Scotland is focussing on the over-40s, and everyone aged 40-60 has been directly invited to get their booster
To make space for vaccinations some GPs will be allowed to postpone routine health checks for over-75s and new patients.To make space for vaccinations some GPs will be allowed 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?
Will Scotland hit its January booster jabs target?Will Scotland hit its January booster jabs target?
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%.
You will receive a dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, regardless of which you were given for your 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 worked 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?
Do vaccines work against Omicron?Do vaccines work against Omicron?
It's not yet known exactly how effective the current vaccines are against the new variant.It's not yet known exactly how effective the current vaccines are against the new variant.
Early evidence suggests there may be a higher re-infection risk from Omicron.Early evidence suggests there may be a higher re-infection risk from Omicron.
Pfizer has said a booster jab of its coronavirus vaccine appears to provide an effective defence against the new variant.Pfizer has said a booster jab of its coronavirus vaccine appears to provide an effective defence against the new variant.
It says a small study suggests that having three doses produces a similar level of antibodies against Omicron to that of two doses against other variants.It says a small study suggests that having three doses produces a similar level of antibodies against Omicron to that of two doses against other variants.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) said existing vaccines should still protect people who contract Omicron from severe illness.Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) said existing vaccines should still protect people who contract Omicron from severe illness.
How worrying is the new Covid variant?How worrying is the new Covid variant?
How vaccines changed the course of the pandemicHow 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.
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.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 children aged 12 and over will be offered two doses of the Pfizer jab.All children aged 12 and over will be offered two doses of the Pfizer jab.
16 and 17-year-olds can now book their second dose of the Pfizer jab - this will normally be given 12 weeks after their first16 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 appointment12-15s 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?
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.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?