By Jennifer Clarke<\/p>\n
BBC News<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
A spring Covid booster is being offered to those most at risk from the virus. <\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some pharmacies have also started selling the jab privately. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n From Monday 15 April, the NHS will take bookings from eligible groups:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The NHS is sending texts, emails, NHS App messages or letters to those who are eligible, but you do not have to wait for the invite.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Those at highest risk are being invited first.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You will generally be invited to have your booster around six months after your last dose, but you can have it after three months. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Spring vaccinations will be available until 30 June. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Vaccines from four different companies are in use across the UK: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sanofi\/GSK and Novavax. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Those getting the spring booster will be given an mRNA vaccine made by either Pfizer or Moderna. Both have been updated to help protect against more recent strains of Covid. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n People are advised to take whichever they are offered, as all provide protection against severe illness or death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Similarly, if you qualify but missed an earlier booster dose, you can have another jab this spring to catch up. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you have a severely weakened immune system, your doctor may advise you to have an extra dose three months after the spring booster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A number of high street chemists and private clinics have started selling and administering Covid vaccines directly to the public. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n They range in price from around \u00a345 to \u00a399. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You need to be aged 12 or above, and have not had a Covid vaccine in the previous three months. You also need to talk to a health professional to check that it is suitable. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A protein-based booster vaccine made by Novavax, which works differently to the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA jabs, should be available to buy soon. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n It also recommends waiting if you have a high temperature or feel otherwise unwell with any illness. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But there’s no need to wait if you have recently recovered from Covid and feel well. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The vaccines do not infect people with Covid and cannot cause positive test results. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n They are part of the body’s normal immune response to vaccination, and tend to resolve within a day or two.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWho can have a spring Covid booster?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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How do I book a spring booster? <\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Which vaccine will people get?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What if I have not had a Covid jab before?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/23B0\/production\/_126063190_gettyimages-1298099070.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/span><\/span>Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCan I buy a Covid vaccine? <\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How long after having Covid can I have a jab?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
What are the side effects of the Covid vaccine?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n