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When can I have a booster jab and how do I book one? Who is eligible for the Covid jab and is it compulsory for anyone?
(8 days later)
The first double-vaccinated 16 and 17-year-olds in England can now book a booster jab or attend a walk-in vaccination centre. About 37 million people have now had booster Covid vaccine doses across the UK - more than 64% of those eligible.
Meanwhile, Morrisons is the latest employer to cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who have to self-isolate after spending time with someone with Covid. The government is urging everyone who can, to come forward and receive the jab.
Across the UK, fully vaccinated close contacts no longer have to quarantine - unless they also test positive.
Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?Is the Covid vaccine compulsory?
For most people in the UK, the Covid vaccine is not mandatory.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). However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has reconfirmed that the government wants all front-line NHS staff in England (with some exceptions) to be fully vaccinated by 1 April if they want to to keep their job.
Morrisons has confirmed it has cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid. Care home staff in England must also already be vaccinated (unless exempt).
Workers will receive only the statutory-sick-pay (SSP) minimum (£96.35 per week), unless there are mitigating circumstances. Meanwhile a number of employers, including Morrisons, Next, Ikea, Ocado and Wessex Water have cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid.
Unvaccinated staff who test positive for the virus will still receive full sick pay, regardless of vaccination status. Employees will receive only the statutory-sick-pay (SSP) minimum (£96.35 per week), unless there are mitigating circumstances.
A number of companies including Next, Ikea, Ocado and Wessex Water have already made similar changes. All staff who test positive for the virus will still receive full sick pay, regardless of their vaccination status.
Across the UK, Covid passports providing vaccination status or negative test results are required to enter some venues.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.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 now available to all over-18s three months after their second dose - but appointments can be booked after two months. In England boosters are now available to all over-16s three months after their second dose - but appointments can be booked after two months. Some walk-in appointments are also available.
Some walk-in appointments may also be available.
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 people aged 18 to 29 can go to walk-in hubs, and make booster appointments.In Northern Ireland people aged 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 suggested a booster vaccine - on top of the first two jabs - provides 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.
More than 36 million people have had booster, or third, doses across the UK, more than 63% of those eligible. Pfizer has started clinical trials of a new Covid vaccine which targets the Omicron variant.
Moderna will soon begin trials of its own Omicron-specific jab, and AstraZeneca has also started working on a new version of its vaccine.
Do vaccines work against Omicron?Do vaccines work against Omicron?
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 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.
A low-dose version of the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children aged five to 11 who have health conditions putting them at greater risk from catching Covid. A low-dose version of the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children aged five to 11 who have health conditions putting them at greater risk from catching Covid. Eligible children in this age group are now being invited for vaccination in Scotland
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.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) also recommended that the normal booster dose should be offered to children aged 12-15 if they:The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) also recommended that the normal booster dose should be offered to children aged 12-15 if they:
are in an at-risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressedare in an at-risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed
have a severely weakened immune system - they should get four doseshave a severely weakened immune system - they should get four doses
It is not yet clear when children will get these doses.It is not yet clear when children will get these doses.
About 40,000 16 and 17-year-olds in England who had a second vaccine dose at least three months ago are now being invited to have their booster. They can make an appointment or attend a drop-in clinic. About 16 and 17-year-olds in England who had a second vaccine dose at least three months ago are being invited to have their booster.
It's thought around 600,000 people in this age group will eventually be eligible for a booster. They can make an appointment or attend a drop-in clinic, as can eligible children of the same age in Scotland.
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 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 infect you with Covid, and cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test.The vaccines do not infect you with Covid, and cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test.
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 clinicIn 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 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?