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How do I book my Covid jab and does it work against Omicron? Covid boosters: Who is being offered a fourth dose?
(14 days later)
More than 37 million people have now had a Covid booster dose across the UK - more than 65% of those eligible. People aged 75 and over are to be offered an additional Covid vaccination this spring.
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. There will also be a further dose for people with a weakened immune system.
Who is being offered another jab?
Across the UK, a second booster will be offered to:
adults aged 75 and over
residents in a care home for older adults
people aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems
The dose will be given six months after the previous booster. The Pfizer vaccine will be offered to 12 to 18-year-olds, and either Pfizer or Moderna to other eligible people.
Previously, only people with severely weakened immune systems have been offered four jabs - defined as three primary doses and a booster.
The UK's vaccine advisers, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said an extra dose would help maintain protection from severe Covid in the most vulnerable individuals.
Immunity declines over time and many of the groups affected received their third dose in September or October.
An autumn booster programme, aimed at a wider group of people, is also planned, but details have not yet been confirmed.
Which children are being vaccinated?
All children aged five to 11 in the UK will be offered a low-dose vaccine, which is being rolled out on a "non-urgent" basis.
It's expected to be offered in England in April, and plans are also under way in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In addition:
the low-dose vaccine is already being offered to five to 11-year-olds with medical conditions that put them at greater risk
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
the JCVI has also 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 immunosuppressed
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 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 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?What vaccine will I get?
A fifth vaccine, Novavax, has been approved for use in the UK, but has not yet been given to patients.
First and second doses are either AstraZeneca or (for under-40s) Pfizer or Moderna.First and second doses are either AstraZeneca or (for under-40s) Pfizer or Moderna.
The booster will be a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna - regardless of which vaccine you received before.The 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 can have a booster dose of AstraZeneca.However if you cannot have Pfizer or Moderna for medical reasons, you can have a booster dose of AstraZeneca.
Two other vaccines have also been approved for use in the UK - Janssen and Novavax, which has not yet been given to patients.
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.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 you don't need to delay for a mild fever or a cold.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 don't infect you with Covid, and can't 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?
The level of protection offered by Covid vaccines reduces over time. A booster dose encourages the body to produce more antibodies.
Early studies suggest having a booster provides 80-85% protection against Omicron (compared with 97% against Delta).
The head of Pfizer has suggested people may need to have annual Covid boosters to remain protected, as happens for flu.
Pfizer, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca and Novavax are all working on Omicron-specific jabs.
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?
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.
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 immunosuppressed.
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.
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 isn't mandatory.For most people in the UK, the Covid vaccine isn't mandatory.
The government has dropped plans to make almost all frontline NHS workers in England get fully jabbed by 1 April or lose their jobs. Care home staff in England must already be vaccinated (unless exempt).
About 77,000 NHS staff are still unvaccinated and there were fears compulsion would lead to a staffing crisis. But the government has dropped plans to make almost all frontline NHS workers in England get fully jabbed by 1 April or lose their jobs.
Care home staff in England must also already be vaccinated (unless exempt). There were fears compulsion would lead to a staffing crisis.
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.
In most cases, they will receive only the statutory-sick-pay (SSP) minimum (£96.35 per week).
Staff who test positive for the virus still receive full sick pay, regardless of vaccination status.
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.