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Covid boosters: Who is being vaccinated? Covid boosters: Who is being vaccinated?
(2 days later)
More than 85% of people in the UK aged 12 or over have had two doses of Covid vaccine, and more than 38.5 million have had boosters. Older and vulnerable people in England can now book an extra booster jab against Covid.
Some groups will also receive a further booster. Spring boosters are also being rolled out in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who will be offered an extra booster dose?Who will be offered an extra booster dose?
Across the UK, a second booster is being offered to:Across the UK, a second booster is being offered to:
adults aged 75 and overadults aged 75 and over
residents in care homes for older adultsresidents in care homes for older adults
those aged 12 and over with weakened immune systemsthose aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems
The dose will be given six months after the previous booster.The dose will be given six months after the previous booster.
Previously, only those with severely weakened immune systems were offered four jabs - defined as three primary doses and a booster. An autumn booster programme, aimed at a wider group of people, is also planned.
An autumn booster programme, aimed at a wider group of people, is also planned, but details have not yet been confirmed. The UK's last remaining Covid restrictions
Do vaccines work against Omicron? How many cases are there in my area?
Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
How long after Covid can I get the booster?
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.
You shouldn't have the booster if you have a severe illness or high fever. However, 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.
Which children are being vaccinated?Which children are being vaccinated?
All five to 11-year-olds in the UK can have a low-dose vaccine.All five to 11-year-olds in the UK can have a low-dose vaccine.
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.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 from Covidthe 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 Pfizerall children aged 12 and over are being offered two doses of Pfizer
16- and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab16- and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab
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 immunosuppressedthe 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 still book your first, second or booster jab online or go to a walk-in clinic. You can book jabs 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. Care workers in England no longer have to be vaccinated against Covid.
The government had already scrapped plans to make the Covid jab mandatory for NHS staff in England. The government has 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.
Boosters are 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?
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.
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.
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.
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