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Covid vaccine: When will you be eligible? Covid: When will I get the vaccine?
(3 days later)
Margaret Keenan, aged 90, became the first person in the world to be vaccinated Margaret Keenan, aged 90, became the first person vaccinated in the mass roll-out by the NHS
The NHS has begun the biggest mass vaccination campaign in its history to protect people against Covid-19. More than four million people in the UK have had at least one dose of a vaccine to protect against Covid-19.
So far, three vaccines have been approved for use in the UK. In some areas of England, people over 70 and those considered clinically extremely vulnerable are now being invited for jabs.
More than 3.2 million people in the UK have now been vaccinated - the large majority with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine which was approved in early December. Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are being used in the mass vaccination programme. A third, from Moderna, has been approved but it is not yet available.
A vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca is now also being rolled out in the UK, and the Moderna vaccine has just been approved. When will I get the vaccine?
Who is getting the vaccine first? Vaccines are being given to the most vulnerable first. A list of nine high-priority groups - which covers about 32 million people including 90-99% of those most at risk of dying - is being followed:
Broadly, vaccines are being given to the most vulnerable first, as set out in a list of nine high-priority groups, covering around 25 million people in the UK.
They are thought to represent 90-99% of those at risk of dying from Covid-19.
Residents in care homes for older adults and their carersResidents in care homes for older adults and their carers
80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers80-year-olds and over and frontline health and social care workers
75-year-olds and over75-year-olds and over
70-year-olds and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals70-year-olds and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
65-year-olds and over65-year-olds and over
16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions16- to 64-year-olds with serious underlying health conditions
60-year-olds and over60-year-olds and over
55-year-olds and over55-year-olds and over
50-year-olds and over50-year-olds and over
Around 45% of people aged over 80 in the UK have now been vaccinated, according to government figures. All four nations of the UK follow these priorities, but decisions on the roll-out vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Frontline health staff, care home residents and workers as well as the over-80s have been the first to get jabs at designated hospitals hubs, GP surgeries and community sites across the UK. NHS frontline staff, care home residents and workers, and the over 80s have been the first priority. Nearly half of over-80s in the UK have been vaccinated.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is better suited to protecting people who are housebound and in care homes because it's easier to store and transport.
How will the UK vaccinate millions of people?How will the UK vaccinate millions of people?
How effective is the Oxford vaccine? When will teachers get the vaccine?
Can we really jab our way out of lockdown? From spring, the second phase of vaccination will focus on the rest of the adult population, mainly the under-50s, who are much less likely to be ill with Covid-19.
The aim is to: Teachers, transport workers, supermarket workers and the military could be prioritised at that point.
vaccinate every care home resident by the end of January You'll be invited to book an appointment to get a vaccine as soon as it's your turn, by phone or letter.
everyone over 70, NHS frontline staff, care workers and anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable by mid-February
the rest of the priority groups and over 50s after that, possibly by May
The second phase of vaccination will focus on the rest of the population, mainly the under-50s, who are much less likely to be ill with Covid-19.
Teachers, transport workers and the military could be prioritised at that point, but more data on how well the vaccines are working will be needed before that decision is made.
What about the two-dose policy?
All the approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best possible protection.
Initially, the strategy for the Pfizer vaccine was to offer people the second dose 21 days after their initial jab - full immunity starts seven days after the second dose.
But when approval was announced for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on 30 December, it was also announced that the new priority would be to give as many people a good level of protection with the first shot of either vaccine, rather than providing the required two doses to a smaller number of people in as short a time as possible.
Everyone will still receive their second dose, but this will now be within 12 weeks of their first.
The US regulator and some UK experts have questioned the policy, saying it is premature without more trial evidence, but the UK's regulator, the MHRA, says it is a pragmatic decision that will protect more people.
Can different vaccines be mixed and matched?
The official guidance states that every person should get the same vaccine for both doses.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisations at Public Health England (PHE), said: "We do not recommend mixing the Covid-19 vaccines - if your first dose is the Pfizer vaccine you should not be given the AstraZeneca vaccine for your second dose and vice versa."
However, in the very rare circumstance in which only one vaccine is available at a vaccination site or it's unknown which product an individual received for their first dose, PHE says a different vaccine could be administered.
But this advice does stress "this option is preferred if the individual is likely to be at immediate high risk or is considered unlikely to attend again".
"There may be extremely rare occasions where the same vaccine is not available, or where it is not known what vaccine the patient received," Dr Ramsay said. "Every effort should be made to give them the same vaccine, but where this is not possible it is better to give a second dose of another vaccine than not at all."
How many vaccine doses are there?
More than 2.5 million people in the UK have now had their first dose of a vaccine in just over three weeks since vaccination began.
The aim is to reach two million vaccinations a week soon, in order to meet the target of giving everyone in the top four priority groups (up to 15 million people) a first dose by mid-February. But this depends on getting a steady supply from the manufacturers and the required quality checks being carried out, which can take weeks.
In total, the UK has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and 30 million of the Pfizer vaccine, which will be shared out fairly among the four nations. Another 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected in the spring.
They will be delivered in batches over the coming weeks and months once they have been quality checked by the regulator, the MHRA.
Where will I get a vaccine?Where will I get a vaccine?
You'll be invited to book an appointment to get a vaccine as soon as it's your turn, probably by phone or letter. Thousands of vaccination sites are currently operating:
Vaccinations will take place: in hospital hubs for NHS staff and older patients
in hospital hubs for NHS staff, care staff and older patients in thousands of GP surgeries
in thousands of GP surgeries to the over-80s initially in care homes for workers and older residents
in care homes to workers and residents in a small number of pharmacies
in pharmacies, a small number to start with in sports stadiums and conference centres acting as major vaccination hubs
in sports stadiums and conference centres acting as major vaccination hubs for priority groups initially The NHS has recruited volunteers to help, including lifeguards, airline staff and students.
Around 1,000 vaccination sites are currently in operation, including hospitals and GP surgeries, with each local area having a designated site. A small number of pharmacies are also offering vaccinations, but only if they have the staff and storage facilities to be able to do so.
The NHS is recruiting 30,000 volunteers to help with the rollout, including lifeguards, airline staff and students - who will be trained to give the jabs.
How will the new Pfizer vaccine work?How will the new Pfizer vaccine work?
Will everyone be vaccinated? Are two doses needed?
The eventual aim is that as many people as possible over the age of 18 receive a Covid-19 vaccine. All the approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best possible protection.
It won't be compulsory, though - no other vaccines in the UK are - as experts say this wouldn't help create confidence in the vaccine. Initially, people would get the second dose three to four weeks after the first. But doses will now be 12 weeks apart, to make sure as many people as possible get a first dose.
Even after one dose, there is a good level of protection against Covid-19, which is then boosted by the second dose.
The UK's regulator, the MHRA, says the decision will help protect more people.
Can different vaccines be mixed?
The official guidance says everyone should get the same vaccine for both doses.
In very rare circumstances - if only one vaccine is available, or it's not known which was given for the first dose - a different vaccine can be used.
How many vaccine doses are there?
In total, the UK has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and 30 million of the Pfizer vaccine. These will be shared out fairly among the four nations.
Another 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected in the spring.
The aim is to reach two million vaccinations a week, with everyone in the top four priority groups (up to 15 million people) given a first dose by mid-February.
This requires a steady supply from manufacturers and the required quality checks being carried out, which can take weeks.
Will everyone be vaccinated and which will I get?
The aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible over the age of 18.
It won't be compulsory - no other vaccines in the UK are - as experts say this wouldn't help create confidence.
The government has so far ordered seven different types of vaccine and expects to receive 367 million doses.The government has so far ordered seven different types of vaccine and expects to receive 367 million doses.
If everyone needs two doses, that would certainly be enough for every adult in the UK.If everyone needs two doses, that would certainly be enough for every adult in the UK.
What you need to know about vaccine safetyWhat you need to know about vaccine safety
Which vaccine will I get? Experts say both vaccines are very effective and have not specified that any one group should get a particular vaccine.
Experts have concluded that both vaccines are very effective, and have not stipulated a preference for either one in any specific population.
What about people with allergies?What about people with allergies?
Anyone with a previous history of allergic reactions to the ingredients of the vaccine should not receive it, but those with any other allergies such as a food allergy can now have the vaccine. A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - when vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
A severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - is a very rare side-effect with any vaccine, but it can happen in those at risk. Most people, however, will not be affected in any way. The UK regulator says anyone with a history of severe reactions to food, insect bites or a drug or vaccine can safely receive either vaccine as long as they are not allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine.
The medical regulator, the MHRA, says anyone due to receive their vaccine should discuss any medical history of serious allergies with their healthcare professional beforehand. You should discuss any medical history of serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.
I'm pregnant - will that affect when I'm vaccinated? Most people will not be affected in any way, although mild side-effects - which are common with any vaccine - are possible.
Vaccination with either vaccine should only be considered for pregnant women when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks - for instance where the risk of exposure to coronavirus is high and cannot be avoided, or where the woman has underlying health conditions that put her at high risk of complications of Covid-19. I'm pregnant - can I be vaccinated?
Women should discuss the benefits and risks of having the vaccine with their healthcare professional and reach a joint decision based on individual circumstances. Vaccination should only be considered for pregnant women when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks.
Women who are breastfeeding can be given the vaccine. This may be where the risk of exposure to coronavirus is high and cannot be avoided, or where underlying health conditions mean a high risk of Covid complications.
There are no specific safety concerns with the vaccines - but they were not tested on pregnant women during the trials.There are no specific safety concerns with the vaccines - but they were not tested on pregnant women during the trials.
Pregnant women are likely to be low down the list of priority groups because of their age, and may only be offered a vaccine in the second phase in 2021. Women who are breastfeeding can be given either vaccine.
Can I pay to be vaccinated sooner?Can I pay to be vaccinated sooner?
No - this vaccine is being rolled out free to people via the NHS. No - this vaccine is being rolled out free to people via the NHS. You can't jump the queue by paying for it.
You can't jump the queue by paying for it, but there should be plenty of vaccine to go round.
Should I leave a gap between getting the flu and Covid vaccines?Should I leave a gap between getting the flu and Covid vaccines?
If you're eligible for a flu vaccine, you should get it as soon as possible, particularly if you will also be in a high-risk priority group for a Covid jab.If you're eligible for a flu vaccine, you should get it as soon as possible, particularly if you will also be in a high-risk priority group for a Covid jab.
Having both illnesses at once this winter could be dangerous.
At its last meeting, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended leaving at least seven days between the vaccines.At its last meeting, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended leaving at least seven days between the vaccines.
Flu jab 'more important than ever' this winterFlu jab 'more important than ever' this winter
Your Questions Answered: Will I need a vaccine passport?Your Questions Answered: Will I need a vaccine passport?
Covid vaccines: Who decides if they are safe?Covid vaccines: Who decides if they are safe?