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Covid: When will I get the vaccine? Covid: When will I get the vaccine?
(about 3 hours later)
Margaret Keenan, aged 90, became the first person vaccinated in the mass roll-out by the NHSMargaret Keenan, aged 90, became the first person vaccinated in the mass roll-out by the NHS
More than 12 million people in the UK have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine. More than 13 million people in the UK have had at least one dose of a Covid vaccine.
Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are being used to protect against serious illness and death from Covid-19. A third, from Moderna, has been approved.Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are being used to protect against serious illness and death from Covid-19. A third, from Moderna, has been approved.
Who is being vaccinated now?Who is being vaccinated now?
Vaccines are given to the most vulnerable first. A list of high-priority groups - covering up to 99% of those most at risk of dying - is being followed.Vaccines are given to the most vulnerable first. A list of high-priority groups - covering up to 99% of those most at risk of dying - is being followed.
If you're 70 or over in England and haven't yet been vaccinated, you are now being asked to contact the NHS to book an appointment online or by calling 119 free of charge.If you're 70 or over in England and haven't yet been vaccinated, you are now being asked to contact the NHS to book an appointment online or by calling 119 free of charge.
Most NHS frontline staff, care home residents and workers, and over 75s have been vaccinated. Some areas are now inviting over 60s.Most NHS frontline staff, care home residents and workers, and over 75s have been vaccinated. Some areas are now inviting over 60s.
All four nations of the UK follow these priorities, but the roll-out varies between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.All four nations of the UK follow these priorities, but the roll-out varies between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
When will over-50s, police and teachers be vaccinated?When will over-50s, police and teachers be vaccinated?
The aim is to vaccinate over-50s by May.The aim is to vaccinate over-50s by May.
Police officers and teachers will be vaccinated after the most vulnerable groups - probably from late spring.Police officers and teachers will be vaccinated after the most vulnerable groups - probably from late spring.
Any change to priorities will be decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).Any change to priorities will be decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Covid: Are teachers more at risk of dying?Covid: Are teachers more at risk of dying?
Do the vaccines work against new variants?Do the vaccines work against new variants?
The Oxford vaccine offers a similar, good level of protection against the 'Kent' variant now dominant in the UK as it does against the original virus. The Oxford vaccine offers a similar level of good protection against the 'Kent' variant now dominant in the UK as it does against the original virus.
Early research on other vaccines, including Pfizer's, suggest they also protect against this new form of coronavirus.Early research on other vaccines, including Pfizer's, suggest they also protect against this new form of coronavirus.
All are effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.All are effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.
But there are concerns that Covid vaccines may not work as well against other variants with a mutation called E484K. This has been found in variants first spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and in some UK variants too.But there are concerns that Covid vaccines may not work as well against other variants with a mutation called E484K. This has been found in variants first spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and in some UK variants too.
There are only small numbers of cases involving these variants in the UK at present.There are only small numbers of cases involving these variants in the UK at present.
How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?
Should I still get vaccinated?Should I still get vaccinated?
People should still feel confident about getting vaccinated, the government's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van Tam, has said.People should still feel confident about getting vaccinated, the government's deputy chief medical officer, Jonathan Van Tam, has said.
There is no sign that the South Africa variant will become dominant in the UK and the "immediate threat" is from the Kent variant, he said. There is "plenty of evidence" the vaccines are effective against that, Prof Van Tam added.There is no sign that the South Africa variant will become dominant in the UK and the "immediate threat" is from the Kent variant, he said. There is "plenty of evidence" the vaccines are effective against that, Prof Van Tam added.
New versions of the vaccines are already being worked on and the plan is to have them ready by the autumn.New versions of the vaccines are already being worked on and the plan is to have them ready by the autumn.
They are likely to be offered as a routine booster against Covid.They are likely to be offered as a routine booster against Covid.
Are two doses needed?Are two doses needed?
All the vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in trials and highly effective at preventing serious illness and death. There is evidence the Oxford vaccine can also reduce the spread of the virus.All the vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in trials and highly effective at preventing serious illness and death. There is evidence the Oxford vaccine can also reduce the spread of the virus.
The approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best protection against Covid.The approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best protection against Covid.
People were initially told they would get the second dose three to four weeks after the first. But to ensure as many people as possible are protected in the shortest time possible, the UK's chief medical officers extended the gap to 12 weeks.People were initially told they would get the second dose three to four weeks after the first. But to ensure as many people as possible are protected in the shortest time possible, the UK's chief medical officers extended the gap to 12 weeks.
This is backed by a recent study which found the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine remained 76% effective during the three months after the first dose.This is backed by a recent study which found the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine remained 76% effective during the three months after the first dose.
Some doctors had been critical of the decision, fearing it would make the Pfizer vaccine, particularly, less effective.Some doctors had been critical of the decision, fearing it would make the Pfizer vaccine, particularly, less effective.
Few countries have followed the UK's example and the World Health Organization has recommended a gap of up to six weeks only in exceptional circumstances.Few countries have followed the UK's example and the World Health Organization has recommended a gap of up to six weeks only in exceptional circumstances.
WATCH: Pfizer v Oxford v Moderna – three Covid-19 vaccines comparedWATCH: Pfizer v Oxford v Moderna – three Covid-19 vaccines compared
Where will I get a vaccine?Where will I get a vaccine?
You'll be invited to book an appointment as soon as it's your turn, by phone or letter.You'll be invited to book an appointment as soon as it's your turn, by phone or letter.
Thousands of vaccination sites are operating:Thousands of vaccination sites are operating:
in hospital hubs for NHS staff and older patientsin hospital hubs for NHS staff and older patients
in thousands of GP surgeriesin thousands of GP surgeries
in care homes for workers and older residentsin care homes for workers and older residents
in some pharmaciesin some pharmacies
in vaccination centresin vaccination centres
in sports stadiums and conference centres acting as major vaccination hubsin sports stadiums and conference centres acting as major vaccination hubs
Can different vaccines be mixed?Can different vaccines be mixed?
The official guidance says everyone should get the same vaccine for both doses.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.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.
But that could change. A UK trial is investigating whether mixing vaccines could offer better protection than two doses of the same one.But that could change. A UK trial is investigating whether mixing vaccines could offer better protection than two doses of the same one.
How many vaccine doses are there?How many vaccine doses are there?
The UK has ordered seven vaccines and expects to receive 407 million doses - more than enough for every adult to receive two.The UK has ordered seven vaccines and expects to receive 407 million doses - more than enough for every adult to receive two.
Of the vaccines beings used now, 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have been ordered and 40 million of the Pfizer vaccine. Another 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected in the spring.Of the vaccines beings used now, 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have been ordered and 40 million of the Pfizer vaccine. Another 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected in the spring.
Will everyone be vaccinated and which will I get?Will everyone be vaccinated and which will I get?
The aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible over the age of 18.The aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible over the age of 18.
The vaccines have not been tested in children so they won't receive them until more research has been carried out.The vaccines have not been tested in children so they won't receive them until more research has been carried out.
Getting a Covid vaccine is not compulsory because experts say this wouldn't help create public confidence.Getting a Covid vaccine is not compulsory because experts say this wouldn't help create public confidence.
What you need to know about vaccine safetyWhat you need to know about vaccine safety
Experts have not specified that any one group should get a particular vaccine.Experts have not specified that any one group should get a particular vaccine.
What about people with allergies?What about people with allergies?
A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - when vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - when vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
The UK regulator says anyone with a history of severe reactions to food, insect bites, or a drug or vaccine, can safely receive the vaccines as long as they are not allergic to any ingredients.The UK regulator says anyone with a history of severe reactions to food, insect bites, or a drug or vaccine, can safely receive the vaccines as long as they are not allergic to any ingredients.
You should discuss any serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.You should discuss any serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.
Most people will not be affected in any way, although mild side-effects are possible.Most people will not be affected in any way, although mild side-effects are possible.
Will I get side effects from the vaccine?Will I get side effects from the vaccine?
I'm pregnant - can I be vaccinated?I'm pregnant - can I be vaccinated?
Vaccination should only be considered for pregnant women when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks.Vaccination should only be considered for pregnant women when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks.
This may be where the risk of catching coronavirus is high, or where underlying health conditions mean a high risk of Covid complications.This may be where the risk of catching coronavirus is high, 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.There are no specific safety concerns with the vaccines - but they were not tested on pregnant women.
Women who are breastfeeding can be given either vaccine.Women who are breastfeeding can be given either vaccine.
Your Questions Answered: Will I need a vaccine passport?Your Questions Answered: Will I need a vaccine passport?
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. You can't jump the queue by paying.No - this vaccine is being rolled out free to people via the NHS. You can't jump the queue by paying.