Posted by Key questions answered about the covid booster vaccine and how you can register for yours
Covid booster jab Q&A: Everything you need to know about the third vaccine dose
The booster vaccine rollout was introduced as a way to improve the protection offered by the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Originally available for the elderly and clinically vulnerable – and in attempt to curb Covid cases this winter – the booster jab is now picking up pace and being offered to those in their 40s.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson stressed on November 15 that getting the Covid booster jab was essential in protecting the UK from the rising cases seen in Europe – and now with the confirmation of the Omicron variant reaching the UK, the booster vaccine rollout appears more necessary than ever.
Below, we have answered the key questions about the booster vaccine, how to register for one and what getting your top-up jab means.
Who is now eligible for the booster?
The rules have not changed yet, but when they do anyone who had their second jab at least three months ago will be technically eligible. This means the vast majority of people over the age of 18. However, health officials have stressed that they will still call people forward in age order, saying people should wait to be contacted.
Until now, only those over the age of 40, and those in priority groups were eligible – and only if it was six months since their second jab. Details of the timetable for rollout are expected on Tuesday Nov 30.
How long do I have to wait after my second jab to get the booster?
The new advice says boosters must be a minimum of three months after the second jab. But as the rollout will work down through age groups, most of those being offered boosters in the next few weeks are likely to have waited at least five months
Where can I get my booster?
Once the NHS has invited you for your vaccine, you should be able to book a slot online at mass vaccination centres, hospitals, pharmacies and some GP practices. Health officials have yet to set out details of the new expanded programme, but say extra hospital sites will be opened, while some sites will be open for extended hours
Which vaccine will I get?
The vast majority of people will be offered Pfizer BionTech or Moderna. A small number of people who are unable to receive this type of jab will be offered AstraZeneca. As with the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, you won’t be able choose which vaccine you will get so there’s a chance you may receive a different brand of booster. A recent study by Oxford University found that mixing and matching vaccines can induce more immunity than having the same brand of jab.
What level of immunity does the booster give?
Booster doses have been found to provide 93 per cent protection against severe disease.
At the moment, it isn’t known how well the jabs work against the new Omicron variant, and there may be a level of “mismatch” between vaccine and variant. However, scientists believe that the jabs are still likely to prevent severe disease.