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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 numbers have hit record levels across the UK, as part of steps to limit the impact of the Omicron variant. | |
The measures also include approval for a low-dose vaccine to be offered to vulnerable primary school children. | |
Which children are being vaccinated? | |
A low-dose version of the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for five to 11-year-olds with health conditions that put them at greater risk from catching Covid. | |
Primary school children who live with clinically vulnerable adults should also be offered a jab, government vaccine advisers said. | |
It is not yet clear when children would get the doses - and they first need to be approved by ministers across the UK. | |
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also recommended the normal booster dose should be offered to children aged: | |
16 and 17 | |
12 to 15 if they are in an at-risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed | |
12 to 15 who have a severely weakened immune system, who should get four doses | |
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 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 (28 days) for high-risk groups. | |
If a 12 to 15-year old tests positive they need to wait 12 weeks before getting their second dose. | |
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. | |
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 are able to go to walk-in hubs, and can now make booster appointments. | |
How will the target be achieved? | How will the target be achieved? |
In England, some other medical appointments are being 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? |
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. | The vaccines do not give you an infection, and they will not cause you to test positive on a lateral flow or PCR test. |
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 front-ine 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 against | Mandatory 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, bookings for over-12s can be made 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 8013 | In 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 board | In 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 teenagers | In 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. |
This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. | To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. |
Why it is normal for some people to experience short-term side effects from Covid-19 vaccines | Why 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? |
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