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Covid booster: Who can get another jab this autumn? Covid booster: Who can get another jab this autumn?
(3 days later)
Covid infections in the UK are rising, as are the numbers of people in hospital as a result. Everyone in England aged 50 or over will be able to book a Covid booster jab from Friday.
Those who qualify are being urged to have a booster jab. Over-50s in Wales and Northern Ireland are already eligible. In Scotland, 50- to 64-year-olds will be invited to to book soon.
How many Covid cases are there in the UK?How many Covid cases are there in the UK?
Over-50s invited for Covid and flu jabs in England
Who can have an autumn booster?Who can have an autumn booster?
A further dose is available to: The booster dose is available to:
adults aged 50 and over people aged 50 and over
people aged five to 49 with health conditions which put them at higher risk - including pregnant women people aged five to 49 with health conditions that put them at higher risk - including pregnant women
care home staff care-home staff
frontline health and social care workers front-line health and social-care workers
carers aged 16 to 49carers aged 16 to 49
household contacts of people with weakened immune systemhousehold contacts of people with weakened immune system
Not everyone can book immediately. People aged 50 to 64 years old may not be able to book until later in the autumn.
Anyone aged 16 or over - or an at-risk child aged 12 to 15 - who has had both primary jabs can have a first booster.Anyone aged 16 or over - or an at-risk child aged 12 to 15 - who has had both primary jabs can have a first booster.
People with a severely weakened immune system were offered an additional third primary dose before being offered a booster.People with a severely weakened immune system were offered an additional third primary dose before being offered a booster.
A free flu jab is also available to more people this autumn - some will be offered it at the same time as their Covid booster.A free flu jab is also available to more people this autumn - some will be offered it at the same time as their Covid booster.
Which vaccine will people get?Which vaccine will people get?
The NHS is using Moderna's new "bivalent" vaccine, which tackles both the original Covid virus and the Omicron variant.The NHS is using Moderna's new "bivalent" vaccine, which tackles both the original Covid virus and the Omicron variant.
It has also approved a second bivalent vaccine from Pfizer.It has also approved a second bivalent vaccine from Pfizer.
However, health officials say people should take whichever booster they are offered, as all vaccines provide protection against becoming severely ill or dying from Covid.However, health officials say people should take whichever booster they are offered, as all vaccines provide protection against becoming severely ill or dying from Covid.
First and second vaccine doses are either AstraZeneca or (for under-40s) Pfizer or Moderna.First and second vaccine doses are either AstraZeneca or (for under-40s) Pfizer or Moderna.
As happened in 2021, many people will be offered a free flu jab along with their Covid boosterAs happened in 2021, many people will be offered a free flu jab along with their Covid booster
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?
In England: You can book online, by calling 119, or you can visit a walk-in clinic (although, not all offer jabs to under-12s)In England: You can book online, by calling 119, or you can visit a walk-in clinic (although, not all offer jabs to under-12s)
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 haven't been invited - or you haven't had your first two doses - you can contact your health boardIn 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-fives can be made online or by calling 0300 200 7813In 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.
You should leave eight weeks between your first and second dose, and at least 12 weeks before having a booster.You should leave eight weeks between your first and second dose, and at least 12 weeks before having a booster.
How many people have been vaccinated?How many people have been vaccinated?
According to the latest figures, 94% 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 or booster dose.According to the latest figures, 94% 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 or booster dose.
More than five million people - about 22% of those aged 50 and over in England - have received an autumn booster.More than five million people - about 22% of those aged 50 and over in England - have received an autumn booster.
Some pregnant women complained they weren't given enough information about the Covid jabSome pregnant women complained they weren't given enough information about the Covid jab
However, in July, a report from an influential committee of MPs warned that vaccine take-up has been low for several important groups, including pregnant women, younger people and those from some ethnic backgrounds.However, in July, a report from an influential committee of MPs warned that vaccine take-up has been low for several 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 jab?How long after Covid can I have a jab?
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 are not at higher risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks.Under-18s who are not at higher risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks.
You should not have a jab if you have a severe illness or high fever.You should not have a jab if you have a severe illness or high fever.
The vaccines do not infect you with Covid and cannot cause positive results on a Covid test.The vaccines do not infect you with Covid and cannot cause positive results on a Covid 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
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.