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Omicron: When can I have a booster jab and how do I book one? Omicron: When can I have a booster jab and how do I book one?
(3 days later)
Booster campaigns are under way across the UK, in response to fears about the Omicron variant. Booster numbers have hit record levels across the UK with more than 900,000 administered on Saturday.
Researchers have looked at the likely impact a booster will have on Omicron and say it could provide about 85% protection against severe illness. Researchers say having a booster dose could provide about 85% protection against severe illness from the Omicron variant.
When can I have a booster?When can I have a booster?
In England boosters are available to over 18s - as long as it's three months since their second dose.In England boosters are available to over 18s - as long as it's three months since their second dose.
Boosters can be booked two months after a second dose. Some walk-in appointments may be available - depending on where you live.Boosters can be booked two months after a second dose. Some walk-in appointments may be available - depending on where you live.
Scotland also aims to offer booster appointments to all eligible adults before the end of the year. As in England, boosters can be booked online.Scotland also aims to offer booster appointments to all eligible adults before the end of the year. As in England, boosters can be booked online.
Wales also hopes to hit the end of December target. People should wait to be invited for their booster, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised.Wales also hopes to hit the end of December target. People should wait to be invited for their booster, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised.
Northern Ireland's booster plan is also being accelerated. People aged 18 to 29 will be able to go to walk-in hubs from Monday and make booster appointments from Wednesday, 22 December.Northern Ireland's booster plan is also being accelerated. People aged 18 to 29 will be able to go to walk-in hubs from Monday and make booster appointments from Wednesday, 22 December.
How will the target be achieved?How will the target be achieved?
In England,some other medical appointments will be postponed. In England, some other medical appointments are being postponed.
Across the UK, opening hours at vaccination centres are being extended and more volunteers are being recruited.Across the UK, opening hours at vaccination centres are being extended and more volunteers are being recruited.
The requirement to wait 15 minutes in the vaccination centre after a jab is also being scrapped, to allow more people to be seen.The requirement to wait 15 minutes in the vaccination centre after a jab is also being scrapped, to allow more people to be seen.
Why do I need a booster?Why do I need a booster?
Early studies from UK researchers suggest a booster vaccine - on top of the first two jabs - will provide 80-85% protection against Omicron (compared with 97% against Delta).Early studies from UK researchers suggest a booster vaccine - on top of the first two jabs - will provide 80-85% protection against Omicron (compared with 97% against Delta).
More antibodies are developed thanks to the booster, giving the body a deeper, broader and stronger defence against the virus than before.More antibodies are developed thanks to the booster, giving the body a deeper, broader and stronger defence against the virus than before.
It makes it harder for Omicron's mutations to infect the body, although current vaccines are still not a perfect match.It makes it harder for Omicron's mutations to infect the body, although current vaccines are still not a perfect match.
Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
Do vaccines work against Omicron?Do vaccines work against Omicron?
Can a booster give a false positive on a Covid test?
None of the Covid vaccines will cause you to test positive on a lateral flow or PCR test, which are used to see if you have a current infection.
The vaccines do not give you an infection. They teach your body how to fight Covid.
Antibody tests that check immunity can return a positive result if you have been vaccinated.
They look at whether your body has some protection against the virus from past experience. This can be provided by having the disease or being jabbed against it.
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.
The vaccines do not give you an infection, and they will not cause you to test positive on a lateral flow or PCR test.
Which children are being vaccinated?Which children are being vaccinated?
All children aged 12 and over are being offered two doses of the Pfizer jab. They can have a second dose 12 weeks after the firstAll children aged 12 and over are being offered two doses of the Pfizer jab. They can have a second dose 12 weeks after the first
If a 16 or 17-year old tests positive for Covid, they should wait 12 weeks before being vaccinated, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation (four weeks for high risk groups).If a 16 or 17-year old tests positive for Covid, they should wait 12 weeks before being vaccinated, because of an extremely small risk of heart inflammation (four weeks for high risk groups).
If a 12 to15-year old tests positive they need to wait four weeks (28 days) before getting their second dose.If a 12 to15-year old tests positive they need to wait four weeks (28 days) before getting their second dose.
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 a number of European countries have tightened restrictions for the unvaccinated.Not in the UK, although a number of European countries have tightened restrictions for the unvaccinated.
However, all frontline NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) must be fully vaccinated by 1 April.However, 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).
Across the UK, Covid passports are required to enter some venues.Across the UK, Covid passports are required to enter some venues.
Mandatory jabs: Three reasons for and againstMandatory jabs: Three reasons for and against
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?