The rollout will begin in early autumn, a year after the first Covid boosters were given
The UK has become the first country to approve a dual vaccine which tackles both the original Covid virus and the recent Omicron variant.
The new vaccine – produced by Moderna – will be offered to some people as part of the autumn booster campaign.
Who will get an autumn booster?
Another Covid vaccine dose will be offered to:
- adults aged 50 and over
- people aged five to 49 with health conditions which put them at higher risk – including pregnant women
- care home staff
- frontline health and social care workers
- carers aged 16 to 49
- household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
The rollout will begin in early autumn, a year after the first Covid boosters were given.
Which vaccine will people be offered?
Health officials say people should take whichever booster they are offered as all vaccines provide protection against becoming severely ill or dying from Covid.
Previous boosters were a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna – regardless of which vaccine you received previously.
However, if you cannot have Pfizer or Moderna for medical reasons, you can have a booster dose of AstraZeneca.
First and second vaccine doses are either AstraZeneca or (for under-40s) Pfizer or Moderna.
Who was offered the spring booster?
- adults aged 75 and over
- residents in care homes for older adults
- those aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems
More than 79% of all over-75s had a spring booster.
How many people have been vaccinated?
Image source, Getty ImagesMany pregnant women complained they weren’t given enough information about the Covid jab
How long after Covid can I have a booster?
Under-18s who are not at higher risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks.
The vaccines don’t infect you with Covid and can’t cause positive results on a Covid test.
Which children can get jabbed?
- all 12 to 15-year-olds are offered two doses of Pfizer
- all 16 and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab
- 12 to 15-year-olds in an at-risk group, or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, can have a booster
How do I book my Covid vaccine?
You can book jabs online, or go to a walk-in clinic, although not all centres offer jabs to under-12s, and some have closed since the initial vaccination push.
Image source, Getty ImagesYou can’t yet book an autumn booster jab
You should leave eight weeks between your first and second doses and wait at least 12 weeks before having a booster.
- In England: You can book online, by calling 119, or visiting a walk-in clinic
- In Scotland: Over-16s can register for their first dose or book their second or booster dose online, or by calling 0800 030 8013
- In Wales: Over-16s will be invited for their booster. If you haven’t been invited – or you haven’t had your first two doses – you can contact your health board
- In Northern Ireland: Appointments for over-fives can be made online or by calling 0300 200 7813
You can’t yet book an autumn booster jab.
What are the side effects?
They are part of the body’s normal immune response to vaccines and tend to resolve within a day or two.
Why it is normal for some people to experience short-term side effects from Covid-19 vaccines
You should discuss any existing serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.
