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How do I book my Covid jab and does it work against Omicron? How do I book my Covid jab and does it work against Omicron?
(32 minutes later)
About 37 million people have now had a Covid booster dose across the UK - more than 64% of those eligible.About 37 million people have now had a Covid booster dose across the UK - more than 64% of those eligible.
The government is urging anyone who hasn't yet been jabbed to come forward, but has dropped plans to make Covid jabs mandatory for frontline NHS staff in England.The government is urging anyone who hasn't yet been jabbed to come forward, but has dropped plans to make Covid jabs mandatory for frontline NHS staff in England.
How do I book my Covid vaccine?How do I book my Covid vaccine?
You can book your first, second or booster jab online or go to a walk-in clinic.You can book your first, second or booster jab online or go to a walk-in clinic.
You need to leave eight weeks between your first and second doses, and wait a further 12 weeks before having your booster. You need to leave eight weeks between your first and second doses, and wait a further 12 weeks before your booster.
In England: Over-12s can book first or second doses, and over-16s can book a third or booster dose online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinicIn England: Over-12s can book first or second doses, and over-16s can book a third or booster dose online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinic
In Scotland: Over-16s can register for their first dose or book their second or booster dose online, or by calling 0800 030 8013In Scotland: Over-16s can register for their first dose or book their second or booster dose online, or by calling 0800 030 8013
In Wales: Over-16s will be invited for their booster by their health board. If you've not been invited - or you've not had your first two doses - you can contact your health boardIn Wales: Over-16s will be invited for their booster by their health board. If you've not been invited - or you've not had your first two doses - you can contact your health board
In Northern Ireland: Over-12s can book online or call 0300 200 7813In Northern Ireland: Over-12s can book online or call 0300 200 7813
People with weakened immune systems have also been offered a third primary dose as well as a booster. People with weakened immune systems are offered a third primary dose as well as a booster.
Pregnant women are also being urged to come forward, after figures showed that 96% of those admitted to hospital with Covid between May and October last year were unvaccinated.
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.
However if you cannot have Pfizer or Moderna for medical reasons, you will be offered a booster dose of AstraZeneca.However if you cannot have Pfizer or Moderna for medical reasons, you will be offered a booster dose of AstraZeneca.
What if I've tested positive for Covid?What if I've tested positive for Covid?
You should wait four weeks from the date of a positive test before having your jab, even if you have no symptoms.You should wait four weeks from the date of a positive test before having your jab, even if you have no symptoms.
Children who aren't at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks after a positive test before having the vaccine. Children who aren't at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks after a positive test.
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 you don't need to delay for a mild fever or a cold.
The vaccines do not infect you with Covid, and cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test. The vaccines don't infect you with Covid, and can't cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test.
Why do I need a booster? Will it work against against Omicron?Why do I need a booster? Will it work against against Omicron?
The level of protection offered by the Covid vaccine reduces over time. The level of protection offered by Covid vaccines reduces over time. A booster dose encourages the body to produce more antibodies.
Early studies from UK researchers suggest a booster vaccine - on top of the first two jabs - provides 80-85% protection against Omicron (compared with 97% against Delta). Early studies suggest having a booster provides 80-85% protection against Omicron (compared with 97% against Delta).
The booster means more antibodies are developed, giving the body stronger defences against the virus. The head of Pfizer has suggested people may need to have annual Covid boosters to ensure a high level of protection, as happens for flu. The head of Pfizer has suggested people may need to have annual Covid boosters to remain protected, as happens for flu.
Pfizer has started clinical trials of a new Covid vaccine which directly targets the Omicron variant. Pfizer, Moderna and Astra-Zeneca are all working on Omicron-specific jabs.
Moderna and Astra-Zeneca are also working on Omicron-specific jabs.
A new campaign is urging pregnant women to get jabbed, after figures showed that 96% of those admitted to hospital with Covid between May and October last year were unvaccinated.
Do vaccines work against Omicron?Do vaccines work against Omicron?
Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
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.All children aged 12 and over are being offered two doses of the Pfizer jab.
Sixteen and 17-year-olds who had a second vaccine dose at least three months ago can have a booster.Sixteen and 17-year-olds who had a second vaccine dose at least three months ago can have a booster.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that the booster is also offered to children aged 12-15 who:The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that the booster is also offered to children aged 12-15 who:
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, in which case they should get four doseshave a severely weakened immune system, in which case they should get four doses
In addition, about 500,000 five to twelve-year-olds who have health conditions putting them at greater risk from catching Covid are being offered two low-dose Pfizer jabs, eight weeks apart.In addition, about 500,000 five to twelve-year-olds who have health conditions putting them at greater risk from catching Covid are being offered two low-dose Pfizer jabs, eight weeks apart.
The JCVI said that primary school children who live with clinically vulnerable adults should also be offered the low-dose jab.The JCVI said that primary school children who live with clinically vulnerable adults should also be offered the low-dose jab.
What are the side effects?What are the side effects?
The most common side effects include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.The most common side effects 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.
A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction after the Pfizer vaccine.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.
Are vaccines compulsory?Are vaccines compulsory?
For most people in the UK, the Covid vaccine is not mandatory. For most people in the UK, the Covid vaccine isn't mandatory.
The government had said frontline NHS workers in England (with some exceptions) would have to be fully jabbed by 1 April or lose their jobs, but has dropped the policy. The government has dropped plans to make almost all frontline NHS workers in England get fully jabbed by 1 April or lose their jobs
About 77,000 NHS staff are still unvaccinated and there were fears compulsion would lead to a staffing crisis.About 77,000 NHS staff are still unvaccinated and there were fears compulsion would lead to a staffing crisis.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the reversal was due to "dramatic changes" in the virus since the policy was devised last year.
Care home staff in England must also already be vaccinated (unless exempt).Care home staff in England must also already be vaccinated (unless exempt).
Is vaccination compulsory for anyone else?Is vaccination compulsory for anyone else?
No, but a number of companies have cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid.No, but a number of companies have cut sick pay for unvaccinated workers who are forced to isolate after being exposed to Covid.
They will receive only the statutory-sick-pay (SSP) minimum (£96.35 per week), unless there are mitigating circumstances.They will receive only the statutory-sick-pay (SSP) minimum (£96.35 per week), unless there are mitigating circumstances.
All staff who test positive for the virus still receive full sick pay, regardless of their vaccination status.All staff who test positive for the virus still receive full sick pay, regardless of their vaccination status.
Across the UK, Covid passports showing vaccination status or negative test results are required to enter some venues.Across the UK, Covid passports showing 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.