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Covid: Who can have a booster jab and how can you get one? Omicron: Who can have a booster jab and how do I book one?
(about 13 hours later)
Everyone over the age of 18 in England will have a chance to book their booster before the new year. The government hopes to offer every adult in England the chance to book a Covid booster before the end of 2021.
Boris Johnson announced in a televised address that the previous target of boosters for all adults by the end of January had been brought forward. Booster campaigns are being brought forward across the UK, in response to worries over the Omicron variant.
Mr Johnson said the decision had been made "in light of this Omicron emergency".
As well as booster jabs for all over 18s, the government aims to give a second primary dose to 12- to 15-year-olds.
When can I have a booster?When can I have a booster?
From Monday 13 December, boosters are open to every adult over 18 who has had a second dose of a Covid vaccine at least three months ago. In England a booster is available to every adult aged 18 or over from this week - as long as you had your second dose at least three months ago.
People will be able to book their booster through the national NHS booking system from Wednesday. Over 30s can already book a booster online, from two months after their second dose. From Wednesday this will be extended to over 18s.
The government says this is the "best way to guarantee your slot" but prior to that, anyone over 18 could visit a walk-in centre and get a booster jab. Beforehand, some walk-in appointments will be available - depending on where you live. The government says: "If there are long queues or all slots have been booked, people are encouraged to be patient and keep trying, or book online."
Mr Johnson said additional support would be given to help "accelerate vaccinations" in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has also announced that it aims to offer boosters to all adults before the end of the year, again at least three months after a second dose. People aged 30-39 are now able to book their vaccination online. Appointments will be open to 18 to 29-year-olds later in the week.
Current booster plans in the devolved nations include: Wales is also hoping to hit the same vaccination target. Walk-in and drive-through clinics are being used. People are asked to wait to be invited for their booster, and older and higher-risk people are being prioritised.
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's booster plan is being accelerated, with walk-in jabs available for over-30s.
Northern Ireland has announced extra vaccination clinics and is prioritising 40 to 49-year-olds How is the new target going to be achieved?
Scotland is focussing on the over-40s, and everyone aged 40-60 has been directly invited to get their booster The prime minister said that to reach the target in England some other medical appointments would need to be postponed. Other measures include:
42 teams from the military to be deployed
extra vaccine sites and mobile units
extended opening hours at clinics and more appointments
thousands more volunteer vaccinators to be trained
The government says it will also give extra support to speed up vaccinations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says "urgent work" is under way, with more details expected on Tuesday.
In Wales, more clinics are opening and they will have longer opening hours.
In Northern Ireland, vaccination hubs will be extending their hours and hundreds more vaccinators are being recruited.
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%. The evidence so far suggests that Omicron may be more infectious than previous variants, and that existing vaccines may be less effective at stopping the Omicron variant
You will receive a dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, regardless of which you were given for your earlier jabs. However, early studies suggest that an extra dose of vaccine - in other words, a booster - can prevent around 75% of people getting any Covid symptoms.
Can the NHS boost the booster programme? The World Health Organization (WHO) says that existing vaccines should still protect people who contract Omicron from severe illness.
Will Scotland hit its January booster jabs target?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 else do I need to know about the booster?
If you've tested positive, you must wait four weeks (28 days) from the date of the test before having your booster. Your booster will be a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna - regardless of which vaccine you received for your first two jabs.
If you have tested positive for Covid recently, you should 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. Are children being vaccinated?
Which children are being vaccinated? All children aged 12 and over are being 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 book their second dose of the Pfizer jab - this is normally given 12 weeks after their first
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 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
If anyone under 18 tests positive for Covid, they should wait 12 weeks before being vaccinated, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation (this doesn't apply to children in higher risk groups).
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, and England is about to follow.
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.
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?