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Covid booster: Who can get another jab this autumn? Covid booster: Who can get another jab this autumn?
(25 days later)
Covid vaccine rules are changing, but those most at risk can have another jab this autumn.Covid vaccine rules are changing, but those most at risk can have another jab this autumn.
All adults aged 65 years and over are being offered the vaccine automatically, following advice from UK immunisation experts.All adults aged 65 years and over are being offered the vaccine automatically, following advice from UK immunisation experts.
In 2022, boosters were offered to all people over 50.In 2022, boosters were offered to all people over 50.
Who can have an autumn Covid booster?Who can have an autumn Covid booster?
At the moment you can only get the Covid vaccine via the NHS if you meet certain criteria. You cannot buy it privately. At the moment you can only get the Covid vaccine via the NHS if you meet certain criteria. You cannot buy it privately, although Moderna hopes its vaccine will be available to buy in 2024.
The following groups can have an autumn booster:The following groups can have an autumn booster:
residents in care homes for older adultsresidents in care homes for older adults
all adults aged 65 years and over all adults aged 65 years and over (by 31 March 2024)
people aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk grouppeople aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
frontline health and social care workersfrontline health and social care workers
people aged 12 to 64 who are household contacts of people with weakened immune systemspeople aged 12 to 64 who are household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
people aged 16 to 64 who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adultspeople aged 16 to 64 who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults
pregnant womenpregnant women
In autumn 2022, all over-50s were offered an extra dose, but the government's advisers on vaccines recommended that only over-65s should automatically be included this year.In autumn 2022, all over-50s were offered an extra dose, but the government's advisers on vaccines recommended that only over-65s should automatically be included this year.
Is Covid now just a regular winter bug?
Covid jab could be available privately from 2024
How do I book my Covid booster?How do I book my Covid booster?
The NHS is contacting those who are eligible.The NHS is contacting those who are eligible.
People in England can book their jabs through the NHS website, the NHS app or by calling 119.People in England can book their jabs through the NHS website, the NHS app or by calling 119.
The government hopes that as many people as possible will be vaccinated by 31 October.The government hopes that as many people as possible will be vaccinated by 31 October.
The roll-out was brought forward in England, because of a new Covid variant, BA.2.86, which was first detected in the UK on 18 August.The roll-out was brought forward in England, because of a new Covid variant, BA.2.86, which was first detected in the UK on 18 August.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also brought forward their booster rollouts.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also brought forward their booster rollouts.
As before, anyone also eligible for a free flu jab may receive it at the same time.As before, anyone also eligible for a free flu jab may receive it at the same time.
You can check if you qualify for an NHS flu vaccine on the NHS website.You can check if you qualify for an NHS flu vaccine on the NHS website.
Covid boosters for over-65s as hospital cases riseCovid boosters for over-65s as hospital cases rise
Which vaccine will people get?Which vaccine will people get?
Vaccines from four different companies are in use across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sanofi/GSK and Novavax.Vaccines from four different companies are in use across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sanofi/GSK and Novavax.
UK authorities have recent approved a new Pfizer jab that targets the Omicron subvariant XBB 1.5.UK authorities have recent approved a new Pfizer jab that targets the Omicron subvariant XBB 1.5.
Most people can have any of them, but those who are pregnant, under 18 or over 75, will be offered a particular jab.Most people can have any of them, but those who are pregnant, under 18 or over 75, will be offered a particular jab.
If you are not in one of those categories, you cannot choose which vaccine you get.If you are not in one of those categories, you cannot choose which vaccine you get.
People are advised to take whichever they are offered, as all provide protection against severe illness or death.People are advised to take whichever they are offered, as all provide protection against severe illness or death.
Covid vaccine safety - What we knowCovid vaccine safety - What we know
How long after having Covid can I have a jab?How long after having Covid can I have a jab?
If you have Covid, or think you might, NHS advice is to delay vaccination until you feel better.If you have Covid, or think you might, NHS advice is to delay vaccination until you feel better.
It also recommends waiting if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness.It also recommends waiting if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness.
But there's no need to wait if you have recently recovered from Covid and feel well.But there's no need to wait if you have recently recovered from Covid and feel well.
The vaccines do not infect people with Covid and cannot cause positive test results.The vaccines do not infect people with Covid and cannot cause positive test results.
What to do if you have CovidWhat to do if you have Covid
How many people have been vaccinated against Covid?How many people have been vaccinated against Covid?
Across the UK, by May 2023, nearly 176 million Covid vaccines had been given.Across the UK, by May 2023, nearly 176 million Covid vaccines had been given.
About 88% of people in the UK over the age of 12 (58 million) are thought to have had both a first and second dose of a vaccine, with 93% receiving a single jab.About 88% of people in the UK over the age of 12 (58 million) are thought to have had both a first and second dose of a vaccine, with 93% receiving a single jab.
A small number of children aged five to 11 (fewer than one million as of September 2022) had received a first and second dose of a coronavirus jab.A small number of children aged five to 11 (fewer than one million as of September 2022) had received a first and second dose of a coronavirus jab.
These numbers are based on the Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates for 2021, and vaccine data from up to 7 May in Scotland and 5 May for the other UK nations.These numbers are based on the Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates for 2021, and vaccine data from up to 7 May in Scotland and 5 May for the other UK nations.
In July 2022, an influential committee of MPs warned that Covid vaccine take-up had been too low for several important groups, including pregnant women, younger people and those from some ethnic backgrounds.In July 2022, an influential committee of MPs warned that Covid vaccine take-up had been too low for several important groups, including pregnant women, younger people and those from some ethnic backgrounds.
How are the rules changing about who can get the Covid vaccine?How are the rules changing about who can get the Covid vaccine?
At the moment, the only people who can get vaccinated for the first time are children aged between six months and four years, who are at increased risk from Covid.At the moment, the only people who can get vaccinated for the first time are children aged between six months and four years, who are at increased risk from Covid.
When the Covid jab was introduced, people needed two doses to be considered safely vaccinated.When the Covid jab was introduced, people needed two doses to be considered safely vaccinated.
However, from autumn 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said only one jab will be required. Only people in the categories that are entitled to the autumn 2023 booster will be eligible.However, from autumn 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said only one jab will be required. Only people in the categories that are entitled to the autumn 2023 booster will be eligible.
People with weakened immune systems may be entitled to additional doses.People with weakened immune systems may be entitled to additional doses.
NHS England: Covid vaccinationNHS England: Covid vaccination
NHS Scotland: Covid vaccinationNHS Scotland: Covid vaccination
Public Health Wales: Covid vaccinationPublic Health Wales: Covid vaccination
NI Direct: Covid vaccinationNI Direct: Covid vaccination
What are the side effects of the Covid vaccine?What are the side effects of the Covid vaccine?
For most people side effects are mild. The most common include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.For most people side effects are mild. The most common include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.
They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccination, and tend to resolve within a day or two.They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccination, 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
Very rarely myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - has been linked to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.Very rarely myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - has been linked to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
It has also been listed as a rare possible side effect of the Novavax vaccine, after a very small number of cases were reported during clinical trials.It has also been listed as a rare possible side effect of the Novavax vaccine, after a very small number of cases were reported during clinical trials.
There have also been extremely rare, but occasionally fatal, cases of people developing blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine.There have also been 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.
Patients with serious allergies should talk to their healthcare professional before being vaccinated.Patients with serious allergies should talk to their healthcare professional before being vaccinated.
What misinformation is there about Covid vaccines?What misinformation is there about Covid vaccines?
False and misleading claims about Covid vaccines have circulated online since they were first introduced. Most wrongly argue the jabs are not safe.False and misleading claims about Covid vaccines have circulated online since they were first introduced. Most wrongly argue the jabs are not safe.
A number of social media accounts with lots of followers regularly misrepresent real stats and studies to do this.A number of social media accounts with lots of followers regularly misrepresent real stats and studies to do this.
Former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen was expelled from the party after comparing the side effects of Covid vaccines to the Holocaust and breaching lobbying rules.Former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen was expelled from the party after comparing the side effects of Covid vaccines to the Holocaust and breaching lobbying rules.
However, for most people, the evidence shows that the benefits of vaccination significantly outweigh the risks.However, for most people, the evidence shows that the benefits of vaccination significantly outweigh the risks.
In fact, you are more likely to develop serious conditions including myocarditis from having Covid than from getting the vaccine.In fact, you are more likely to develop serious conditions including myocarditis from having Covid than from getting the vaccine.
Studies confirm young people do not have an increased risk of other heart problems after taking the vaccine.Studies confirm young people do not have an increased risk of other heart problems after taking the vaccine.
Others strands of disinformation wrongly suggest that negative things that have happened to people after they were vaccinated were caused by the injection.Others strands of disinformation wrongly suggest that negative things that have happened to people after they were vaccinated were caused by the injection.
Died Suddenly, a film from far-right US radio DJ Stew Peters, which promotes anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, has been found to drive harassment of bereaved families in the US, the UK and Ireland.Died Suddenly, a film from far-right US radio DJ Stew Peters, which promotes anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, has been found to drive harassment of bereaved families in the US, the UK and Ireland.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Coronavirus public inquiryCoronavirus public inquiry
Coronavirus vaccinesCoronavirus vaccines
ModernaModerna
VaccinationVaccination
PfizerPfizer
CoronavirusCoronavirus
AstraZenecaAstraZeneca