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Covid boosters: Who will get a fourth dose? Covid boosters: Who is being vaccinated?
(7 days later)
Care workers in England will no longer have to be vaccinated against Covid from 15 March. More than 85% of people in the UK aged 12 or over have had two doses of Covid vaccine, and more than 38 million have had boosters.
The government had already scrapped plans to make the Covid jab mandatory for NHS staff in England. Some groups will also receive a further booster.
Meanwhile, people aged 75 and over and those with a weakened immune system will be offered an additional booster dose this spring. Who will be offered an extra booster dose?
Are vaccines compulsory? Across the UK, a second booster is being offered to:
For most people in the UK, the Covid vaccine isn't mandatory.
But the government had previously said that anyone working in a Care Quality Commission-registered care home in England had to have two vaccine doses by a November 2021 deadline, unless they were medically exempt. Anyone who failed to do so lost their job.
Ministers have now confirmed this requirement will be lifted from 15 March.
The government has already dropped plans to make almost all frontline NHS workers in England get fully jabbed by 1 April.
There were fears compulsion would lead to a staffing crisis.
The unvaccinated NHS workers facing the sack
Who is being offered another jab?
Across the UK, a second booster will be offered to:
adults aged 75 and overadults aged 75 and over
residents in a care home for older adults residents in care homes for older adults
people aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems those 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. The dose will be given six months after the previous booster.
Previously, only people with severely weakened immune systems have been offered four jabs - defined as three primary doses and a booster. Previously, only those with severely weakened immune systems were 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.An autumn booster programme, aimed at a wider group of people, is also planned, but details have not yet been confirmed.
Do vaccines work against Omicron?
Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
Which children are being vaccinated?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. All five to 11-year-olds in the UK can have a low-dose vaccine.
It's expected to be offered in England in April, and plans are also under way in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It's expected to be offered on a "non-urgent" basis in England in April, and plans are also under way in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In addition: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 the low-dose vaccine is already being offered to five to 11-year-olds with medical conditions that put them at greater risk from Covid
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 Pfizer
sixteen and 17-year-olds who had a second vaccine dose at least three months ago can have a booster 16- and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab
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 the government's vaccine advisors have also recommended that a booster be offered to 12 to 15-year-olds 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 still 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 a booster.You need to leave eight weeks between your first and second doses, and wait a further 12 weeks before a 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
Care workers in England will no longer have to be vaccinated against Covid from 15 March.
The government had already scrapped plans to make the Covid jab mandatory for NHS staff in England.
What vaccine will I get?What vaccine will I get?
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. Boosters are 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.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 patient information from Pfizer and Moderna says 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.
Do vaccines work against Omicron?
Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
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.
Why a year is 'long-term' for vaccine safety
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