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Covid booster: Who will get another jab this autumn? Covid booster: Who will get another jab this autumn?
(21 days later)
Everyone aged 50 and over in the UK will be offered another Covid booster vaccine this autumn. The rollout will begin in early autumn, a year after the first Covid boosters were given
The programme will also include frontline health and care workers, as well as younger people who are at higher risk from the disease. The UK has become the first country to approve a dual vaccine which tackles both the original Covid virus and the recent Omicron variant.
The new vaccine - produced by Moderna - will be offered to some people as part of the autumn booster campaign.
Who will get an autumn booster?Who will get an autumn booster?
Another Covid vaccine dose will be offered to:Another Covid vaccine dose will be offered to:
adults aged 50 and overadults aged 50 and over
people aged five to 49 with health conditions which mean they're at higher risk - including pregnant women people aged five to 49 with health conditions which put them at higher risk - including pregnant women
care home staffcare home staff
frontline health and social care workersfrontline health and social care workers
unpaid carers carers aged 16 to 49
household contacts of people with weakened immune systemshousehold contacts of people with weakened immune systems
The rollout will begin in early autumn, a year after the first Covid boosters were given.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. Originally only healthy people aged over 65 were due to be offered another booster, but the programme has been expanded in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.
All over 50s to get an autumn Covid booster In addition, the free flu jab will be offered to more eligible groups this autumn.
BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron: How worried should we be?BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron: How worried should we be?
Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?
Who was offered the Spring booster? Which vaccine will people be offered?
Moderna expects that 13 million doses of its new "bivalent" vaccine will be available by the autumn, but that would only cover half of the 26 million people who are eligible.
Health officials say people should take whichever booster they are offered as all vaccines provide protection against becoming severely ill or dying from Covid.
Pfizer is also tweaking its Covid vaccine to better target Omicron, but Oxford-AstraZeneca isn't updating its vaccine.
Previous boosters were 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.
First and second vaccine doses are either AstraZeneca or (for under-40s) Pfizer or Moderna.
Who was offered the spring booster?
Under the spring vaccination programme, 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 were able to book an appointment online three months (91 days) after your previous dose, although the NHS recommended a six-month gap. More than 79% of all over-75s had a spring booster.
People who have a severely weakened immune system were offered an additional third primary dose before a booster.People who have a severely weakened immune system were offered an additional third primary dose before a booster.
How many people have been vaccinated?How many people have been vaccinated?
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. 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.
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.
Many pregnant women complained they weren't given enough information about the Covid jabMany pregnant women complained they weren't given enough information about the Covid jab
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. However, in July, a report from an influential committee of MPs warned that take-up has been much lower for some important groups, including pregnant women, younger people and those from some ethnic backgrounds.
Do I need to isolate if I have Covid?Do I need to isolate if I have Covid?
How to look after yourself if you get CovidHow to look after yourself if you get Covid
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 had no symptoms.You should wait four weeks after a positive test, even if you had no symptoms.
Under-18s who aren't at higher risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks. Under-18s who are not 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, both 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 Covid 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, and some have closed since the initial vaccination push.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 can't yet book an autumn booster jab
You should leave eight weeks between your first and second doses and wait at least 12 weeks before having a booster.
In England: You can book online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinicIn 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 board In Wales: Over-16s will be invited for their booster. If you haven't been invited - or you haven't 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 7813 In Northern Ireland: Appointments for over-fives 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. You can't yet book an autumn booster jab.
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.
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.
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.