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Covid: When will I get the vaccine? Covid: When will I get the vaccine?
(1 day later)
Margaret Keenan, aged 90, became the first person vaccinated in the mass roll-out by the NHS The next stage of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in the UK has been outlined by government scientists.
The Covid-19 vaccine rollout in the UK has entered its next phase, after everyone in the top four priority groups was offered a jab. Once all the top nine priority groups have been offered at least one jab, it will be given to people according to age group, rather than profession.
More than 18 million people have had a first vaccine dose - equivalent to one in three adults in the UK.
Who's next?Who's next?
Everyone on the learning disability register, held by GPs in England, and other people with severe learning disabilities identified as being at risk will now be offered a vaccine in priority group six, currently being vaccinated. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) says the next people to be offered the jab, from around mid-April, will be, in descending order:
This group includes everyone over 16 with a health condition which increases their risk from Covid. As well as severe and profound learning disabilities, people with diabetes, Down's syndrome, severe asthma and specific cancers will be contacted. All those aged 40-49 years
In Scotland, those with mild learning disabilities will be also be included. All those aged 30-39 years
Many areas are now inviting over-60s, adult carers of disabled people and younger adults in care homes. All those aged 18-29 years
Who has been vaccinated? The committee decided against giving priority to people in particular jobs, such as teaching, because they said this would be more complex to deliver and might slow down the vaccine programme.
Most frontline health and social care staff, elderly care home residents, clinically extremely vulnerable people and over-70s have now been vaccinated. It also urged some groups who are at higher risk of needing hospital treatment from Covid to take up the offer of vaccination promptly:
They were first in line because of their risk from the virus, making up the top four in a list of nine high-priority groups. men
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
people with a BMI over 30
those living in deprived neighbourhoods
Who has been vaccinated already?
The people who were vaccinated first were judged to be most at risk from Covid.
About 32 million people have been placed in a priority group. Together they represent about 99% of preventable deaths from coronavirus. These groups should have received a first dose by mid-April and a second by mid-July.
They include:
all adults over the age of 50
most frontline health and social care staff and elderly care home residents
clinically extremely vulnerable people
everyone over 16 with a health condition which increases their risk from Covid, including everyone Everyone on the learning disability register, held by GPs in England, and others with severe learning disabilities identified as being at risk
adult carers of disabled people and younger adults in care homes
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 get a vaccine? In Scotland, those with mild learning disabilities will be also be included.
Some over-50s are being vaccinated now along with people even younger, if they have underlying health conditions.
These groups - around 17 million people - will receive a first dose by mid-April and a second dose by mid-July.
Vaccinating people in all nine priority groups should protect around 99% of those most at risk of dying.
Are teachers and police being vaccinated?
Police officers and teachers have not been given priority as yet. They will be vaccinated in line with their age group.
Any change to priorities will be decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Covid: Are teachers more at risk of dying?
Do the vaccines work against new variants?Do the vaccines work against new variants?
Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are currently being used in the UK to protect against Covid-19. A third - from Moderna - has also been approved.Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are currently being used in the UK to protect against Covid-19. A third - from Moderna - has also been approved.
The Oxford vaccine offers a good level of protection against the 'Kent' variant now dominant in the UK.The Oxford vaccine offers a good level of protection against the 'Kent' variant now dominant in the UK.
Early research on other vaccines, including Pfizer, suggest they also protect against this variant.Early research on other vaccines, including Pfizer, suggest they also protect against this variant.
All have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.All have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.
There are concerns that Covid vaccines may not work as well against variants spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and in some UK variants too.There are concerns that Covid vaccines may not work as well against variants spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and in some UK variants too.
Nonetheless, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the Oxford vaccine should still be used in countries where these variants are present.Nonetheless, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the Oxford vaccine should still be used in countries where these variants are present.
How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?
Why should I get vaccinated?Why should I get vaccinated?
Vaccines will mean that fewer people will get Covid-19 and that those who do are far less likely to go to hospital or to die.Vaccines will mean that fewer people will get Covid-19 and that those who do are far less likely to go to hospital or to die.
The first 'real world' data from the UK rollout suggests they are doing an excellent job.The first 'real world' data from the UK rollout suggests they are doing an excellent job.
Studies in England and Scotland found that within weeks of getting a first dose, the risk of being admitted to hospital fell by at least 75% for the over 80s.Studies in England and Scotland found that within weeks of getting a first dose, the risk of being admitted to hospital fell by at least 75% for the over 80s.
And there is evidence that vaccines can reduce the spread of the virus too. Health workers who were vaccinated with one dose reduced their risk of catching the infection by 70%, another study found. If an individual is not infected, they cannot pass it on.And there is evidence that vaccines can reduce the spread of the virus too. Health workers who were vaccinated with one dose reduced their risk of catching the infection by 70%, another study found. If an individual is not infected, they cannot pass it on.
Even if new variants develop and new versions of the vaccines are required, this is relatively straightforward to organise.Even if new variants develop and new versions of the vaccines are required, this is relatively straightforward to organise.
Vaccine developers are already updating their jabs with the plan to have them ready by the autumn.Vaccine developers are already updating their jabs with the plan to have them ready by the autumn.
They are likely to be offered as a routine booster against Covid for some groups.They are likely to be offered as a routine booster against Covid for some groups.
UK vaccine rollout working 'spectacularly'UK vaccine rollout working 'spectacularly'
Are two doses needed?Are two doses needed?
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.
In the UK, people were initially told they would get a second dose three to four weeks after the first. But to ensure a speedy roll-out, the UK's chief medical officers extended the gap to 12 weeks.In the UK, people were initially told they would get a second dose three to four weeks after the first. But to ensure a speedy roll-out, the UK's chief medical officers extended the gap to 12 weeks.
This approach is now backed by the WHO which says giving two doses 8-12 weeks apart increases the Oxford vaccine's effectiveness and provides greater protection.This approach is now backed by the WHO which says giving two doses 8-12 weeks apart increases the Oxford vaccine's effectiveness and provides greater protection.
A recent study found the Oxford vaccine remained 76% effective during the three months after the first dose. There was also evidence it could reduce the spread of the virus.A recent study found the Oxford vaccine remained 76% effective during the three months after the first dose. There was also evidence it could reduce the spread of the virus.
However, some doctors are worried that a long gap between doses of the Pfizer vaccine could make it less effective.However, some doctors are worried that a long gap between doses of the Pfizer vaccine could make it less effective.
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 in places including hospital hubs, GP surgeries, pharmacies and temporary vaccination centres.Thousands of vaccination sites are operating in places including hospital hubs, GP surgeries, pharmacies and temporary vaccination centres.
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.
However, a UK trial is investigating whether mixing vaccines could offer better protection than two doses of the same one.However, 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.
Will everyone be vaccinated?Will everyone be vaccinated?
The aim is to vaccinate everyone over the age of 18 in the UK with one dose by the end of July. The aim is to vaccinate everyone aged 18 or over in the UK with one dose by the end of July, and the government says it is on track to make this deadline.
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
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 vaccine.A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - when vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.
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.
The vaccines have no impact at all on female fertility.The vaccines have no impact at all on female fertility.
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.