Everybody aged over 50 is invited for a winter booster jab along with frontline health workers and younger people who are at risk due to health conditions.
If you are getting a winter booster you may be offered a different jab to the variety you have had before. This time, the AstraZeneca (Oxford) vaccine is not being used, only vaccines by Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer are offered, or Norovax to a small number who can not have either of those jabs.
The type of Moderna of Pfizer vaccine may be different too. The UK has approved 'bivalent' or 'dual' vaccines from both Moderna and Pfizer, which are half a dose of the vaccines previously used mixed with half a dose of a vaccine that targets Omicron strains. These will be offered to some, while others will get the previous vaccines used in earlier booster jab rounds.
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The UK Health Security Agency says: "You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna. You may be offered an updated combination version of these booster vaccines – the combination vaccines include a half-dose of the previous vaccine combined with a half-dose of a vaccine against the Omicron variant. For a very small number of people another vaccine product may be advised by your doctor.
"Both the previous and the combination vaccines boost protection very well, although the combination vaccines produce slightly higher levels of antibody against some strains of Omicron.
"As we cannot predict which variants of Covid-19 will be circulating this winter, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have concluded that both types of vaccine can be used in adults, and that no one should delay vaccination to receive combination vaccines. So you will be offered the right vaccine for you at the right time.
"Please accept the vaccination that is offered to you as soon as you are able to – it is important to have your booster and build up your protection against severe illness before the winter."
Covid winter booster vaccine side effects
The side effects of the winter boosters - including the new bivalent jabs - are mostly similar to the previous Covid-19 jabs. The UK Health Security Agency says the following are common side effects that are nothing to worry about:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection – this tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine
- feeling tired
- headache
- general aches or mild flu-like symptoms
It adds: "You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help you feel better.
"Although a fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other Covid-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and you may need to have a test. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week."
You should seek medical attention if you get any of these symptoms starting from around four days to four weeks after being vaccinated:
- a severe headache that is not relieved with painkillers or is getting worse
- a headache that feels worse when you lie down or bend over
- a headache that's unusual for you and occurs with blurred vision, feeling or being sick, problems speaking, weakness, drowsiness or seizures (fits)
- a rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin
- shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal (tummy) pain
Is there a heart problem risk with the winter booster vaccines?
The UKHSA warns the vaccines can cause an increased risk of heart inflammation (Myocarditis), although that is very rare and more likely to happen to younger men, who are not routinely offered a booster this winter.
The British Heart Foundation states: "Myocarditis and pericarditis are very rare side effects of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
"Data published by the UKHSA shows that myocarditis and pericarditis are less common after a booster jab, than after the first two doses of the vaccine – and this risk is already very small."
You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart
Moderna booster side effects
"Side effects for the Moderna vaccine, when used as a booster, include pain or tenderness where you had the injection, swelling of the lymph nodes in the arm where you had the injection, tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, fever, or rash," says the British Heart Foundation.
"These side effects are similar whether you have the Moderna bivalent vaccine (also known as Omicron booster) or the original Moderna vaccine.
"If you do experience side effects, these are likely to be mild and last no more than a few days."
Pfizer booster side effects
The British Heart Foundation says side effect "symptoms for the Pfizer booster may include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, fever and chills. The side effects may be milder after a booster than after previous doses.
"Research from the UK COV-Boost trial suggests that Pfizer as a booster could have fewer side effects than Moderna, although there were some differences between different groups."
I had different side effects from the winter booster, why?
While the UKHSA agency says the vaccines cause similar side effects, there are differences. If you've had your winter booster and noticed different or more profound side effects, it could be because you've had a different jab than the shots you've had before. Many older adults may have had the Astrzeneca jab in previous vaccination drives, but that is no longer used. This time it will be Pfizer or Moderna for most people.
Side effects can also change with the number of jabs you've had
The NHS says: "Not all coronavirus vaccines are the same. Some tend to cause more side effects after the first dose, others cause more side effects after additional doses. The very common side effects are the same and should still only last a day or two."
I got the 'old' vaccine instead of the bivalent jab, why?
Both varieties of vaccine are in use as the Government is keen to get people jabbed quickly ahead of winter.
The Department of Health and Social Care says: "As we cannot predict which variants of Covid-19 will be circulating this winter, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have concluded that both types of vaccine can be used in adults, and that no one should delay vaccination to receive combination vaccines. So you will be offered the right vaccine for you at the right time."
It adds: "You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna. You may be offered an updated combination version of these booster vaccines – the combination vaccines include a half-dose of the previous vaccine combined with a half-dose of a vaccine against the Omicron variant. For a very small number of people another vaccine product may be advised by your doctor."
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