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Covid booster: Who can get the fourth jab and how do you book it? Covid booster: Who can get the fourth jab and how do you book it?
(1 day later)
Older and vulnerable people across the UK are entitled to an extra booster jab against Covid this spring. More should be done to reach the millions of adults in England who are still not vaccinated against Covid, say MPs.
All children aged five to 11 are also being offered two doses of a reduced-strength vaccination. Cases have been rising rapidly in the UK, following the emergence of two fast-spreading Omicron variants.
Who is being offered an extra booster dose? Older and vulnerable people were offered an extra booster jab this spring, and more groups will be offered a further top-up dose in the autumn.
Across the UK, a second booster is being offered to: How many people have been vaccinated?
By the end of June, 93% of all people aged 12 or over in the UK had had their first dose of the Covid vaccine, 87% their second dose, and 68% their third.
However, a report from an influential committee of MPs says that take-up has been much lower for some important groups, including pregnant women, young people and those from some minority ethnic groups.
At the end of May, nearly 3 million people in England were still completely unvaccinated, leaving them at greater risk of becoming hospitalised or dying if they become ill with Covid.
The Public Accounts Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier MP wants NHS England to reduce the number of unvaccinated adults by 500,000 within four months.
A government spokesman said it was "working hard" to reach unvaccinated people through walk-in and mobile clinics and "bespoke messages from trusted voices - such as faith and community leaders".
BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron: How worried should we be?
Do I need to isolate if I have Covid?
Who was offered an extra booster?
Across the UK, a second booster was 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
You can book an appointment online three months (91 days) after your previous dose. However, to get maximum protection, the NHS recommends having the spring dose around six months later. You can book an appointment online three months (91 days) after your previous dose, but the NHS recommends a six-month gap.
A wider group of people will be offered an autumn booster, although the details of that programme haven't yet been confirmed. People who have a severely weakened immune system are offered an additional (third) primary dose before their booster.
The UK's last remaining Covid restrictions What about the winter?
How many cases are there in my area? There will be an expanded booster programme in the autumn. Details are still being finalised but jabs are expected to be offered to:
residents in care homes for older adults and staff
frontline health and social care workers
all those aged 65 years and over
adults aged 16 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group
Details could change if the emergence of a variant of concern means more people need a top-up.
Manufacturers are also tweaking vaccines to make them a more effective counter for the virus as it continues to evolve.
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? How long after Covid can I have a booster?
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 after a positive test, even if you have no symptoms.
Under-18s who aren't at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks after a positive test. Under-18s who aren't at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks.
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. You shouldn't have the booster if you have a severe illness or high fever. However, 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 cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test.
Why are so many people catching Covid again? Which children can get jabbed?
Which children are being vaccinated? All five to 11-year-olds in the UK can have two doses of a reduced-strength Covid vaccine, 12 weeks apart.
All five to 11-year-olds in the UK can have a low-dose Covid vaccine.
Children whose parents decide to take up the offer will be given two 10 microgram doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, at least 12 weeks apart.
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 Covid all 12 to 15-year-olds are offered two doses of Pfizer
all children aged 12 to 15 are being offered two doses of Pfizer all 16 and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab
16- and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab 12 to 15-year-olds in an at-risk group, or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, can have a booster
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 jabs online, or go to a walk-in clinic, although not all centres are offering jabs to five to 11-year-olds so you may wish to check first. You can book jabs online, or go to a walk-in clinic, although not all centres offer jabs to under-12s.
You need to leave eight weeks between your first and second doses, and wait a further 12 weeks before a booster. You should leave eight weeks between your first and second doses, and wait a further 12 weeks before a booster.
In England: You can book first or second doses for over-5s, and over-16s can book a third or booster dose online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinicIn England: You can book first or second doses for over-5s, 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 board In Wales: Over-16s will be invited for their booster. If you've not been invited - or you've not had your first two doses - you can contact your health board
In Northern Ireland: Appointments for over-5s can be made online or by calling 0300 200 7813In Northern Ireland: Appointments for over-5s can be made online or by calling 0300 200 7813
Parents and guardians of five to 11-year-olds in Scotland and Wales should wait to be offered an appointment. Carers of five to 11-year-olds in Scotland and Wales should wait to be offered an appointment.
Care workers in England no longer have to be vaccinated against Covid.
The government 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 previously.
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, but these haven't been given to UK patients. Two other vaccines have also been approved for use in the UK - Janssen and Novavax, but these haven't yet been given to UK patients.
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
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.
SYMPTOMS: Is a runny nose a cold or Covid?
TESTS: Who can still get free tests?
ISOLATION: What is the Covid isolation advice now?
MANAGING COVID: How to look after yourself at home
COVID CASES: How many cases are there in my area?
LONG COVID: What is it and what are the symptoms?
TREATMENT: What progress is being made?