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First Covid booster jabs given to NHS staff | First Covid booster jabs given to NHS staff |
(32 minutes later) | |
Catherine Cargill was one of the first healthworkers to be given a booster jab at Croydon University Hospital | Catherine Cargill was one of the first healthworkers to be given a booster jab at Croydon University Hospital |
The first Covid booster vaccines have been given to NHS staff in England and Wales as part of plans to extend protection for millions this winter. | The first Covid booster vaccines have been given to NHS staff in England and Wales as part of plans to extend protection for millions this winter. |
Jabs will be offered to the over 50s, health and care workers and younger adults with certain health conditions. | Jabs will be offered to the over 50s, health and care workers and younger adults with certain health conditions. |
Those eligible should receive a booster at least six months after their second dose. | Those eligible should receive a booster at least six months after their second dose. |
One dose of Pfizer or half a dose of Moderna is recommended and people will be contacted when it's their turn. | |
But many people with severely weakened immune systems, who have been told they need a third dose to top up their primary protection, are still waiting to be invited. | But many people with severely weakened immune systems, who have been told they need a third dose to top up their primary protection, are still waiting to be invited. |
NHS England said all those eligible, including people with blood cancer or organ donor recipients, would be contacted soon and stressed that the timing of the third dose was crucial. | |
People are vaccinated, why so many Covid cases? | People are vaccinated, why so many Covid cases? |
Will children's Covid jabs be compulsory? | Will children's Covid jabs be compulsory? |
Third Covid jab advised for most vulnerable 1% | Third Covid jab advised for most vulnerable 1% |
Hospital hubs in England and Wales can now start vaccinating frontline healthcare workers with boosters, although most will not be ready to do so until next week. | Hospital hubs in England and Wales can now start vaccinating frontline healthcare workers with boosters, although most will not be ready to do so until next week. |
Some care homes are starting the rollout on Thursday in England, this weekend in Wales and in Scotland on Monday. Northern Ireland begins its booster programme later this month. | Some care homes are starting the rollout on Thursday in England, this weekend in Wales and in Scotland on Monday. Northern Ireland begins its booster programme later this month. |
'I've been waiting for my booster' | 'I've been waiting for my booster' |
Catherine Cargill, a maternity support worker and student at Croydon University Hospital, was one of the first to receive a booster jab. | Catherine Cargill, a maternity support worker and student at Croydon University Hospital, was one of the first to receive a booster jab. |
"I'm excited, I've been waiting for this," she said. | "I'm excited, I've been waiting for this," she said. |
"So far I haven't caught Covid and I want to keep it that way. But also with the vaccine, if I was to get Covid, I wouldn't be seriously ill." | "So far I haven't caught Covid and I want to keep it that way. But also with the vaccine, if I was to get Covid, I wouldn't be seriously ill." |
Dr Chris Blakeley, an A&E consultant, says he's seeing rising numbers of Covid patients and it's likely his immunity is waning after receiving his first vaccine dose back in December. | Dr Chris Blakeley, an A&E consultant, says he's seeing rising numbers of Covid patients and it's likely his immunity is waning after receiving his first vaccine dose back in December. |
"The booster gives us increasing confidence on a daily basis," he said. | "The booster gives us increasing confidence on a daily basis," he said. |
The government's vaccine advisors said protection from the first two doses of all Covid vaccines showed early signs of dipping, and that the most vulnerable groups were particularly at risk. | The government's vaccine advisors said protection from the first two doses of all Covid vaccines showed early signs of dipping, and that the most vulnerable groups were particularly at risk. |
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said a booster programme, to run alongside a flu vaccine rollout, was a precautionary approach to ensure these groups maintained high levels of protection. | The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said a booster programme, to run alongside a flu vaccine rollout, was a precautionary approach to ensure these groups maintained high levels of protection. |
A nurse prepares to vaccinate healthcare workers at Croydon University Hospital | A nurse prepares to vaccinate healthcare workers at Croydon University Hospital |
Who is eligible for a Covid booster jab? | Who is eligible for a Covid booster jab? |
Groups covered by the programme include: | Groups covered by the programme include: |
those living in residential care homes for older adults | those living in residential care homes for older adults |
all adults aged 50 years or over | all adults aged 50 years or over |
frontline health and social care workers | frontline health and social care workers |
all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19, and adult carers | all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19, and adult carers |
adults who live in the same house as people who are immunosuppressed | adults who live in the same house as people who are immunosuppressed |
Care home residents, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the virus, will be offered a vaccine before the start of November in England. | Care home residents, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the virus, will be offered a vaccine before the start of November in England. |
Around 4.5 million people in priority groups will be eligible for a booster over the coming weeks, NHS England says, with a further 25 million to be contacted in due course. Pharmacies, GP practices and local vaccination centres will start offering boosters in the coming days. | Around 4.5 million people in priority groups will be eligible for a booster over the coming weeks, NHS England says, with a further 25 million to be contacted in due course. Pharmacies, GP practices and local vaccination centres will start offering boosters in the coming days. |
People will get a call or text from their local GP-led site to get the jab, or will be invited by the National Booking Service, which will start issuing invitations from early next week. | People will get a call or text from their local GP-led site to get the jab, or will be invited by the National Booking Service, which will start issuing invitations from early next week. |
Some people who were in the original nine priority groups will not be invited for a booster until the new year. | Some people who were in the original nine priority groups will not be invited for a booster until the new year. |
Meanwhile, care home providers say they are concerned that a deadline for all care home staff in England to have their first vaccine against Covid by 11 November could force care homes to close if staff decide not to comply. | Meanwhile, care home providers say they are concerned that a deadline for all care home staff in England to have their first vaccine against Covid by 11 November could force care homes to close if staff decide not to comply. |
On Monday, the UK's four chief medical officers recommended a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be offered to all healthy 12-15 year olds, and the rollout is planned to start in schools next week. | On Monday, the UK's four chief medical officers recommended a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be offered to all healthy 12-15 year olds, and the rollout is planned to start in schools next week. |