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Version 227 | Version 228 |
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When can I have a booster jab and how do I book one? | |
(8 days later) | |
Some companies, including Next and Ikea, have cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who have to self-isolate after spending time with someone with Covid. | |
Across the UK, vaccinated close contacts no longer have to quarantine - unless they also test positive. | |
Is the Covid vaccine compulsory? | |
For most people in the UK, the Covid vaccine is not mandatory. | |
However, all front-line NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) must be fully vaccinated by 1 April. | |
Care home staff in England must also already be vaccinated (unless exempt). | |
Next and Ikea have chosen to cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who have to self-isolate after exposure to a positive case. | |
Workers will receive only the statutory-sick-pay (SSP) minimum, £96.35 a week, unless there are mitigating circumstances. | |
Unvaccinated staff who test positive for the virus will still receive full sick pay, however. | |
Wessex Water has also said workers with no medical reason for being unvaccinated - or scheduled appointment - will receive only the statutory amount if they have to isolate because of close contact. | |
Across the UK, Covid passports providing vaccination status or negative test results are required to enter some venues. | |
Many foreign countries are restricting entry to vaccinated travellers or imposing restrictions on those who are not. | |
When can I have a booster? | When can I have a booster? |
In England boosters are available to all over-18s three months after their second dose - but appointments can be booked after two months. | In England boosters are available to all over-18s three months after their second dose - but appointments can be booked after two months. |
Some walk-in appointments may also be available - depending on where you live. | Some walk-in appointments may also be available - depending on where you live. |
In Scotland boosters can be booked online. | In Scotland boosters can be booked online. |
In Wales people should wait to be invited, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised. | In Wales people should wait to be invited, with older and higher-risk people being prioritised. |
In Northern Ireland over 18 to 29 can go to walk-in hubs, and make booster appointments. | In Northern Ireland over 18 to 29 can go to walk-in hubs, and make booster appointments. |
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 stronger defences against the virus. | More antibodies are developed thanks to the booster, giving the body stronger defences against the virus. |
It makes it harder for Omicron to infect the body, although current vaccines are still not a perfect match. | It makes it harder for Omicron to infect the body, although current vaccines are still not a perfect match. |
Almost 36 million people have had booster, or third, doses across the UK, about 62% of those eligible. | |
Do vaccines work against Omicron? | Do vaccines work against Omicron? |
What vaccine will I get for my booster? | What vaccine will I get for my booster? |
Your booster will be a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna - regardless of which vaccine you received before. | Your booster will be a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna - regardless of which vaccine you received before. |
If you have recently tested positive for Covid, you should wait four weeks from the date of the test before having your booster. | If you have recently tested positive for Covid, you should wait four weeks 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, but Pfizer and Moderna say 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, but Pfizer and Moderna say a mild fever or a cold are not reasons to delay. |
The vaccines do not give you an infection, and cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test. | The vaccines do not give you an infection, and cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test. |
Which children are being vaccinated? | 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. | 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. | 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 will get the doses. | It is not yet clear when children will get the doses. |
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also recommended that normal booster dose should be offered to children aged: | The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also recommended that normal booster dose should be offered to children aged: |
16 and 17 | 16 and 17 |
12 to 15 if they are in an at-risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed | 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 | 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 usually have a second dose 12 weeks after the first. | All children aged 12 and over are being offered two doses of the Pfizer jab. They can usually have a second dose 12 weeks after the first. |
Children who are not considered to be at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks after a positive Covid test before having the vaccine. | Children who are not considered to be at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks after a positive Covid test before having the vaccine. |
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 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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