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Covid booster: Who can get the fourth jab and how do you book it? Covid booster: Who will get another jab this autumn?
(14 days later)
More should be done to reach the millions of adults in England who are still not vaccinated against Covid, say MPs. Everyone aged 50 and over in the UK will be offered another Covid booster vaccine this autumn.
Cases have been rising rapidly in the UK, following the emergence of two fast-spreading Omicron variants. The programme will also include frontline health and care workers, as well as younger people who are at higher risk from the disease.
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. Who will get an autumn booster?
How many people have been vaccinated? Another Covid vaccine dose will be offered to:
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. adults aged 50 and over
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. people aged five to 49 with health conditions which mean they're at higher risk - including pregnant women
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. care home staff
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. frontline health and social care workers
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". unpaid carers
household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
The rollout will begin in early autumn, a year after the first Covid boosters were given.
Originally only healthy people aged over 65 were expected to be offered another jab, but the programme has been expanded in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.
All over 50s to get an autumn Covid booster
BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron: How worried should we be?BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron: How worried should we be?
Do I need to isolate if I have Covid? Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
Who was offered an extra booster? Who was offered the Spring booster?
Across the UK, a second booster was offered to: Under the spring vaccination programme, 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, but the NHS recommends a six-month gap. You were able to book an appointment online three months (91 days) after your previous dose, although the NHS recommended a six-month gap.
People who have a severely weakened immune system are offered an additional (third) primary dose before their booster. People who have a severely weakened immune system were offered an additional third primary dose before a booster.
What about the winter? How many people have been vaccinated?
There will be an expanded booster programme in the autumn. Details are still being finalised but jabs are expected to be offered to: According to the latest figures, 93% of all people aged 12 or over in the UK have had a first dose of the Covid vaccine, 88% a second dose, and 70% a third.
residents in care homes for older adults and staff However, in July, a report from an influential committee of MPs warned that take-up is much lower for some important groups, including pregnant women, younger people and those from some ethnic backgrounds.
frontline health and social care workers Many pregnant women complained they weren't given enough information about the Covid jab
all those aged 65 years and over At the end of May, nearly three million people in England were still completely unvaccinated, leaving them at greater risk of becoming hospitalised or dying if they become seriously ill with Covid.
adults aged 16 to 64 years who are in a clinical risk group Do I need to isolate if I have Covid?
Details could change if the emergence of a variant of concern means more people need a top-up. How to look after yourself if you get Covid
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?
How long after Covid can I have a booster?How long after Covid can I have a booster?
You should wait four weeks after a positive test, even if you have no symptoms. You should wait four weeks after a positive test, even if you had no symptoms.
Under-18s who aren't at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks. Under-18s who aren't at higher risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks.
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.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 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 Covid test.
Which children can get jabbed?Which children can get jabbed?
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 two doses of a reduced-strength Covid vaccine, 12 weeks apart.
In addition:In addition:
all 12 to 15-year-olds are offered two doses of Pfizerall 12 to 15-year-olds are offered two doses of Pfizer
all 16 and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jaball 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 booster12 to 15-year-olds in an at-risk group, or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, can have a booster
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 offer jabs to under-12s. You can book jabs online, or go to a walk-in clinic, although not all centres offer jabs to under-12s, and some have closed since the initial vaccination push.
You should 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 clinic In England: You can book 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. 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. 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
Carers 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.
Booking isn't yet open for the autumn booster programme.
What vaccine will I get?What vaccine will I get?
Drug companies have been updating their vaccines to tackle newer Covid variants, but it's not yet clear which will be used for the autumn boosters.
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 previously. So far, boosters have been 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 yet been given to UK patients. Two other vaccines have also been approved for use in the UK - Janssen and Novavax, but these haven't 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.