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Omicron: Who can have a booster jab and how do I book one? Omicron: Who can have a booster jab and how do I book one?
(about 16 hours later)
Booster campaigns are being brought forward across the UK, in response to fears about spread of the Omicron variant.Booster campaigns are being brought forward across the UK, in response to fears about spread of the Omicron variant.
In England and Scotland, it's hoped every adult will be able to book a Covid booster before the end of 2021.In England and Scotland, it's hoped every adult will be able to book a Covid booster before the end of 2021.
When can I have a booster?When can I have a booster?
In England a booster is now available to every adult aged 18 or over - as long as it's at least three months since their second dose.In England a booster is now available to every adult aged 18 or over - as long as it's at least three months since their second dose.
Over-30s can already book a booster online, from two months after their second dose. From Wednesday this will be extended to over-18s. All adults can now book a booster online, from two months after their second dose.
Some walk-in appointments may already 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."Some walk-in appointments may already 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."
Scotland also aims to offer booster appointments to all eligible adults before the end of the year.Scotland also aims to offer booster appointments to all eligible adults before the end of the year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she could not guarantee that everyone would be vaccinated by 31 December, but hoped that 80% of the task would be done by then.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she could not guarantee that everyone would be vaccinated by 31 December, but hoped that 80% of the task would be done by then.
As in England, 30-39 can already book their vaccination online. Appointments will open to 18 to 29-year-olds from Wednesday 15 December. As in England, all adults can now book their vaccination online.
Wales is also hoping to hit the same December target. Walk-in and drive-through clinics are being used. People are asked to wait to be invited for their booster, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised. All available NHS staff are being immediately redeployed to vaccination centres.Wales is also hoping to hit the same December target. Walk-in and drive-through clinics are being used. People are asked to wait to be invited for their booster, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised. All available NHS staff are being immediately redeployed to vaccination centres.
Northern Ireland's booster plan is being accelerated, with walk-in jabs available for over-30s.Northern Ireland's booster plan is being accelerated, with walk-in jabs available for over-30s.
How is the new target going to be achieved?How is the new target going to be achieved?
The prime minister said that to reach the target in England some other medical appointments would need to be postponed. Other measures include: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 deployed42 teams from the military to be deployed
extra vaccine sites and mobile unitsextra vaccine sites and mobile units
extended opening hours at clinics and more appointmentsextended opening hours at clinics and more appointments
thousands more volunteer vaccinators to be trained and an appeal for volunteer stewards at vaccination centresthousands more volunteer vaccinators to be trained and an appeal for volunteer stewards at vaccination centres
The government says it will also give extra support to speed up vaccinations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The government says it will also give extra support to speed up vaccinations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In addition, across the UK, it's been decided to scrap the requirement to wait 15 minutes in the vaccination centre after a jab. It's hoped this will speed up the turnaround.In addition, across the UK, it's been decided to scrap the requirement to wait 15 minutes in the vaccination centre after a jab. It's hoped this will speed up the turnaround.
Scotland also plans to open more vaccination centres and recruit more volunteers.Scotland also plans to open more vaccination centres and recruit more volunteers.
In Wales, more clinics are opening and they will have longer opening hours. All available NHS staff are immediately being redeployed to vaccination centres.In Wales, more clinics are opening and they will have longer opening hours. All available NHS staff are immediately being redeployed to vaccination centres.
In Northern Ireland, vaccination hubs will be extending their hours and hundreds more vaccinators are being recruited.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?
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 variantThe 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
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.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.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that existing vaccines should still protect people who contract Omicron from severe illness.The World Health Organization (WHO) says that existing vaccines should still protect people who contract Omicron from severe illness.
Do vaccines work against Omicron?Do vaccines work against Omicron?
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 else do I need to know about the booster?What else do I need to know about the booster?
Your booster will be a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna - regardless of which vaccine you received for your first two jabs.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.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.
Are children being vaccinated?Are children being vaccinated?
All children aged 12 and over are being offered two doses of the Pfizer jab.All children aged 12 and over are being 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 first16 and 17-year-olds can book their second dose of the Pfizer jab - this is normally given 12 weeks after their first
12 to 15-year-olds 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 to 15-year-olds 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).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, and England is about to follow.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.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?