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Who can get an NHS Covid jab and what do private jabs cost? Who can get a Covid booster this spring and what do private jabs cost?
(about 2 months later)
The NHS spring booster campaign will offer jabs to limited groups of vulnerable patients from 1 April. The NHS spring booster campaign will offer Covid jabs to groups of vulnerable patients across the UK.
More than 9.7 million people in England received a top-up vaccination during the most recent autumn booster campaign. Around 7.5 million people in England are eligible for a free top-up vaccination, and can now start booking appointments.
Many pharmacies also sell the Covid jab privately.Many pharmacies also sell the Covid jab privately.
Who can get an NHS Covid booster jab?Who can get an NHS Covid booster jab?
The autumn booster campaign ended on 31 January. As at 26 January, 9,794,507 people in England had received a top-up dose, external since 3 October. Eligible members of the public in England can have a spring booster between 1 April to 17 June.
The Spring Covid booster campaign will start on 1 April and run until 17 June. Vaccinations will be offered to: NHS England says it will contact everyone who qualifies by text, email, app message or letter.
However, those who qualify do not have to wait for an invitation and can visit the NHS website, external, use the NHS app or call 119 to book an appointment.
Vaccinations will be offered to:
adults aged 75 years and overadults aged 75 years and over
adults aged 75 years and overadults aged 75 years and over
residents in a care home for older adultsresidents in a care home for older adults
residents in a care home for older adultsresidents in a care home for older adults
people aged between six months and 74 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable people aged between six months and 74 years who have a weakened immune system, external and are at a greater risk from severe illness
people aged between six months and 74 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable people aged between six months and 74 years who have a weakened immune system, external and are at a greater risk from severe illness
Those who will turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can have the jab. Those who turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also have the jab.
Eligible members of the public should be able to book appointments from 25 March for vaccination from 1 April. In different parts of the UK, the groups who qualify for a spring booster are the same but the dates of the campaign are slightly different:
NHS England: Covid vaccination, external Scotland, external: 31 March until 30 June
NHS England: Covid vaccination, external Scotland, external: 31 March until 30 June
NHS Scotland: Covid vaccination, external Wales, external: 1 April until 30 June
NHS Scotland: Covid vaccination, external Wales, external: 1 April until 30 June
Public Health Wales: Covid vaccination, external Northern Ireland, external: 7 April until 30 June
Public Health Wales: Covid vaccination, external Northern Ireland, external: 7 April until 30 June
NI Direct: Covid vaccination, external
NI Direct: Covid vaccination, external
Which Covid vaccines are used in the UK?Which Covid vaccines are used in the UK?
The NHS uses vaccines from two companies across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.The NHS uses vaccines from two companies across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.
People are advised to take whichever vaccine they are offered, as both provide protection against severe illness or death.People are advised to take whichever vaccine they are offered, as both provide protection against severe illness or death.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency - based on the 2024 spring vaccination programme - showed those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid for up to two months after their jab, compared to those who did not receive one.
AstraZeneca pulled its Covid vaccine worldwide because of the surplus of updated vaccines from its competitors.AstraZeneca pulled its Covid vaccine worldwide because of the surplus of updated vaccines from its competitors.
At the firm's request, in May 2024, the European Medicines Authority withdrew authorisation for the vaccine,, external which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.At the firm's request, in May 2024, the European Medicines Authority withdrew authorisation for the vaccine,, external which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.
Covid vaccine safety - What we know
Covid vaccine safety - What we know
NHS England: About the Covid vaccination, external
NHS England: About the Covid vaccination, external
Where can I buy a Covid vaccine and what does it cost?Where can I buy a Covid vaccine and what does it cost?
A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer the Pfizer Covid vaccine directly to the public.A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer the Pfizer Covid vaccine directly to the public.
The cost per single dose varies but is typically between £75 and £99.The cost per single dose varies but is typically between £75 and £99.
You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid vaccine in the previous three months. You also need to talk to a health professional to check that it is suitable.You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid vaccine in the previous three months. You also need to talk to a health professional to check that it is suitable.
A protein-based booster vaccine made by Novavax, which works differently to the Pfizer and Moderna jabs, is also available.A protein-based booster vaccine made by Novavax, which works differently to the Pfizer and Moderna jabs, is also available.
Moderna is hoping to launch a combined flu and Covid vaccine in 2025 or 2026, after the jab passed a vital part of final-stage scientific checks in June 2024. Moderna hopes to launch a combined flu and Covid vaccine later in 2025 or 2026, after the jab passed a vital part of final-stage scientific checks in June 2024.
Pfizer is also testing a similar two-in-one vaccine against flu and Covid.Pfizer is also testing a similar two-in-one vaccine against flu and Covid.
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, the NHS recommends delaying vaccination until you feel better., externalIf you have Covid, or think you might, the NHS recommends delaying vaccination until you feel better., external
It also advises postponing if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness.It also advises postponing if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness.
However, there is 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.However, there is 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.
What to do if you have CovidWhat to do if you have Covid
What to do if you have CovidWhat to do if you have Covid
Is Covid now just a regular winter bug?
Is Covid now just a regular winter bug?
XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?
XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?
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., external The most common include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.For most people, side effects are mild., external 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 themselves within a day or two.They are part of the body's normal immune response to vaccination and tend to resolve themselves 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.
There have also been extremely rare, but occasionally fatal,, external cases of people developing blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine.
A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction, external after the Pfizer vaccine.A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction, external 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.
Covid vaccine safety - What we know
Covid vaccine safety - What we know
Rise of vaccine distrust - why more of us are questioning jabsRise of vaccine distrust - why more of us are questioning jabs
Rise of vaccine distrust - why more of us are questioning jabsRise of vaccine distrust - why more of us are questioning jabs
Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?
Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?Is the system letting down people who were harmed by Covid vaccines?
Related topicsRelated topics
Coronavirus vaccinesCoronavirus vaccines
ModernaModerna
VaccinationVaccination
PfizerPfizer
CoronavirusCoronavirus
AstraZenecaAstraZeneca