Covid cases are rising once again. Latest figures show around one in 35 people had the virus in the week to October 3 - up from one in 50 the previous week.
Some 400 deaths registered in the seven days to October 7 mentioned coronavirus on the death certificate - an increase of 39% on the previous week. And while this is well below those in January 2021 when deaths reached almost 8,500 people a week, many people are wanting to make sure they are as protected as they can be.
Most people already have some form of protection - either from past exposure to the virus or from innoculations against it. However for many of the population, it is almost a year since they received their last booster dose of the vaccine.
There are currently two booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine available. The original booster has been avaiable for more than a year and anyone who qualifies and has not yet had it can still do so. Full details of who is eligible is available on the NHS website.
Now the seasonal - or autumn - booster is being made available to many people who have already had their first booster. But who can get it and has it changed from previous vaccinations to tackle the virus?
Who can have the autumn booster?
More than 26 million people will now qualify for the autumn booster for Covid-19. From last Thursday everyone aged over 50 along with those who are more vulnerable qualify for the dose.
According to the NHS you can have a seasonal booster dose (autumn booster) of the Covid-19 vaccine if you are:
- aged 50 or over
- pregnant
- aged 5 and over and at high risk from Covid-19 due to a health condition or a weakened immune system
- aged 5 and over and live with someone who has a weakened immune system
- aged 16 and over and a carer, either paid or unpaid
- living or working in a care home for older people
- a frontline health and social care worker
When to get your seasonal booster
If your NHS record shows you're at high risk from Covid-19, you should be invited for a seasonal booster (autumn booster). You can have your seasonal booster if it's been at least 3 months since you had your previous dose.
If you have not had a 1st or 2nd dose of the Covid-19 vaccine yet, you should have them as soon as possible. If you have a severely weakened immune system you should get an additional primary dose before you get a booster.
How to get a seasonal booster dose
To get a seasonal booster (autumn booster) dose you can:
- book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
- find a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
If you live in a care home for older people, contact your care home manager about getting vaccinated.
What to bring to your appointment
If you’re aged under 50, it can help if you bring your invitation, an NHS letter describing your condition or treatment, or a repeat prescription slip or medicine box with your name on it to your appointment. If you don’t have any of these, you should still be able to get vaccinated, but you may have to speak to a healthcare professional first.
Has it changed from the first booster?
In the past you had to wait 15 minutes before leaving after having the jab. You might not be asked to do this now.
Cards which were filled in to give details of the vaccination may no longer be necessary either to get the jab or to be filled in afterwards.
What to do if you've had Covid-19 or symptoms of Covid-19
If you or your child have Covid-19, or symptoms of Covid-19 but have not had a test, you should wait until your symptoms are better before you get the vaccine.
You should ideally wait:
- 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 or over
- 12 weeks (84 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17
- 4 weeks (28 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17 and at high risk from COVID-19, or live with someone who has a weakened immune system
This starts from the date your symptoms started or from the date of a positive test, whichever was earlier.
Covid-19 booster dose and flu vaccine
Some people who can get a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine are also eligible for the annual flu vaccine. If you are offered both vaccines, it's safe to have them at the same time. Find out more about the flu vaccine.
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