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Covid: When will I get the vaccine? Covid: When will I get the vaccine?
(7 days later)
More than 30 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, and more than three million a second dose. The first doses of the third Covid-19 vaccine to be offered in the UK are being rolled out, with patients in Camarthenshire, Wales, the first to get the Moderna jab.
More than 31 million people in the UK have already have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and more than five million have also had their second dose.
The government has warned supplies will fall in April, but says all adults will still be offered a first jab by the end of July.The government has warned supplies will fall in April, but says all adults will still be offered a first jab by the end of July.
Who is being offered a vaccine now?Who is being offered a vaccine now?
The UK is using the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines to protect people against Covid-19. The UK is now using all three coronavirus vaccines which have been approved for use in the UK: Pfizer, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna.
Adults aged 50-54 in England are being urged to get their first dose in the next few days. The government aims to offer a first vaccine dose to about 32 million people in nine priority groups by 15 April.
Text messages are being sent out with a link to the national booking service website. People can also call the service on 119. The programme in England is now inviting those aged 50 and above to book appointments. Text messages are being sent out with a link to the national booking service website. People can also call the service on 119. Carers can also apply.
Over-50s are also being offered the vaccine in Wales and Scotland. Unpaid carers in Scotland aged 16-64 can register online to get the vaccine or call 0800 030 8013. Over-50s are also being offered the vaccine in Scotland. Unpaid carers in Scotland aged 16-64 can register online to get the vaccine or call 0800 030 8013.
The Welsh government says all over 50s have now been offered their first dose.
In Northern Ireland, people aged 45-49 are now eligible for vaccination. They can book online or call 0300 200 7813.In Northern Ireland, people aged 45-49 are now eligible for vaccination. They can book online or call 0300 200 7813.
People over 16 who live with adults with weakened immune systems will also be offered a vaccine, because experts say vaccinating them will help protect the vulnerable person in their household. Across the UK, people over 16 who live with adults with weakened immune systems will also be offered a vaccine, because experts say vaccinating them will help protect the vulnerable person in their household.
Which groups have been given a first dose?Which groups have been given a first dose?
Those most at risk from Covid and those caring for them were vaccinated first.Those most at risk from Covid and those caring for them were vaccinated first.
One dose has already been offered to:One dose has already been offered to:
frontline health and social care stafffrontline health and social care staff
elderly care home residentselderly care home residents
clinically extremely vulnerable peopleclinically extremely vulnerable people
over-16s with some health conditions which increase their risk from Covidover-16s with some health conditions which increase their risk from Covid
adult carers of disabled people and younger adults in care homesadult carers of disabled people and younger adults in care homes
over-55sover-55s
over 50s in Wales
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.
How many people have been vaccinated so far?How many people have been vaccinated so far?
Some asthma patients being told to wait for Covid jab
When will everyone else get the jab?When will everyone else get the jab?
People under 50 without underlying medical conditions in England may now have to wait until May for their first jab. Vaccines supplies are expected to be delayed in April, but the government insists the remaining 21 million people will still be offered their first dose by the end of July.
However people under 50 without underlying medical conditions in England may now have to wait until May for their first jab.
They will be vaccinated in order of age:They will be vaccinated in order of age:
40-49 years40-49 years
30-39 years30-39 years
18-29 years18-29 years
Priority will not be given to people in particular jobs, such as teaching, because this could slow down the vaccine programme. Risk is closely linked to someone's age, making vaccinating by age group the most efficient way to protect the population.Priority will not be given to people in particular jobs, such as teaching, because this could slow down the vaccine programme. Risk is closely linked to someone's age, making vaccinating by age group the most efficient way to protect the population.
But some groups at higher risk of needing hospital treatment from Covid are urged to take up the offer of vaccination promptly:But some groups at higher risk of needing hospital treatment from Covid are urged to take up the offer of vaccination promptly:
menmen
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communitiesBlack, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
people with a BMI over 30people with a BMI over 30
those in deprived neighbourhoodsthose in deprived neighbourhoods
When will I get my second dose?When will I get my second dose?
More than three million people have had a second dose and are now fully vaccinated - about 6% of UK adults. More than five million people have had a second dose and are now fully vaccinated.
During April, the number of second doses - expected to be around 12 million - will probably overtake the number of first doses given.During April, the number of second doses - expected to be around 12 million - will probably overtake the number of first doses given.
This is so that everyone in the priority groups gets fully vaccinated within 12 weeks of their first jab.This is so that everyone in the priority groups gets fully vaccinated within 12 weeks of their first jab.
Do the vaccines work against new variants?Do the vaccines work against new variants?
Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are being used in the UK. A third - from Moderna - has been approved. All three vaccines have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid.
All have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid.
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.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.
There are concerns vaccines may not work as well against variants first spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and some UK variants too, but they can be updated. There are concerns the vaccines may not work as well against variants first spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and some UK variants too, but developers are already updating their jabs and plan to have them ready by the autumn.
Vaccine developers are already updating their jabs and 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.
How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?How worrying are the new coronavirus variants?
Why do new variants of Covid-19 keep appearing? Laura Foster explainsWhy do new variants of Covid-19 keep appearing? Laura Foster explains
Why should I get vaccinated?
Vaccines mean fewer people will get Covid-19 and those who do are far less likely to go to hospital or to die.
As well as protecting you, vaccines also help to protect your family, friends and other people you come into contact with.
How will we know Covid vaccines are safe?
My vaccine side effects and what they mean
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 quicker roll-out of first doses, 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 quicker roll-out of first doses, 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 eight to 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 eight to 12 weeks apart increases the Oxford vaccine's effectiveness and provides greater protection.
However, some doctors are worried a long gap between doses of the Pfizer vaccine could make it less effective.However, some doctors are worried a long gap between doses of the Pfizer vaccine could make it less effective.
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.
The Moderna vaccine has been approved in the UK and is expected to arrive in April.
A vaccine from Novavax has shown promising results and will be made in north-east England.A vaccine from Novavax has shown promising results and will be made in north-east England.
A single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson has also been shown to be effective. Both of these vaccines are being reviewed on a rolling basis by the UK's regulator.A single-dose vaccine from Johnson & Johnson has also been shown to be effective. Both of these vaccines are being reviewed on a rolling basis by the UK's regulator.
Will everyone be vaccinated?Will everyone be vaccinated?
The aim is to vaccinate everyone aged 18 or over in the UK with one dose by the end of July - but children could receive a vaccine in the long term if they are shown to be safe.The aim is to vaccinate everyone aged 18 or over in the UK with one dose by the end of July - but children could receive a vaccine in the long term if they are shown to be safe.
Covid vaccines are now being trialled in children by most companies making them. Pfizer has released early data which suggests children aged 12-15 are well protected by the vaccine, with a strong antibody response and no unusual side effects. AstraZeneca is also carrying out a trial in 6-17 year olds. Covid vaccines are now being trialled in children by most companies making them. Pfizer has released early data which suggests children aged 12-15 are well protected by the vaccine, with a strong antibody response and no unusual side effects.
In the UK, the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for use in over-16s and the AZ vaccine in over-18s. AstraZeneca has halted its trial involving 300 participants aged 6-17, while the UK's medicines regulator investigates a possible link with rare blood clots in adults.
AstraZeneca: Is there a blood clot risk?
In the UK, the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for use in over-16s and the Oxford-AZ and Moderna vaccines in over-18s.
Getting a Covid vaccine is not compulsory for the public because experts say this wouldn't help create public confidence. But making it mandatory for NHS staff and care workers is being considered.Getting a Covid vaccine is not compulsory for the public because experts say this wouldn't help create public confidence. But making it mandatory for NHS staff and care workers is being considered.
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.
Study reveals extent of Covid vaccine side-effectsStudy reveals extent of Covid vaccine side-effects
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
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. The vaccines have no impact on female fertility.Women who are breastfeeding can be given either vaccine. The vaccines have no impact on female fertility.