With variants like stealth Omicron and Deltacron making the rounds, Covid cases are continuing to rise across the country. Meanwhile, the UK government has begun rollout of a fourth dose of the Covid vaccine.
The government has confirmed that those aged 75 and over, as well as over-12s who are immunosuppressed, are now eligible for a second booster dose.
Boris Johnson addressed the rollout previously at the Conservative Party's spring conference saying: "I hope you've all had your boosters. We're getting ready for a fourth jab, because we're going to need it."
He also hinted at the booster jab being extended to more people soon, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid also announcing today that boosters for those "who are 50 or over" will likely be rolled out later this year.
Here's everything you need to know about the second booster jab, including who is eligible now, who is likely to become eligible in future, and how to book your booster dose appointment.
When does rollout for the second booster begin and how to book
The NHS has begun inviting eligible people to come forward for their life-saving spring booster jabs, as of Monday March 21.
Anyone who qualifies has been able to book their appointment from 7am onwards. You can book your appointment via calls to 119, which are free from mobiles and landlines.
The lines are open every day from 8am to 8pm. Booking can also be made via the NHS website.
The vaccines will be offered across hundreds of sites around the UK, including community pharmacies, vaccination centres and hospital hubs.
Who is eligible for the second booster dose now?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has said that the spring booster should be offered to the most vulnerable groups in the UK.
This includes people who are 75 and over, as well as the those who are immunosuppressed over the age of 12 - accounting for a total of five million people who are now eligible for their second booster.
The NHS will contact those who qualify for the jab to book their vaccine. You become eligible when you hit six months since your last booster.
For many this will be their fourth dose of the Covid vaccine, while it could be the fifth for immunosuppressed people.
Who might become eligible for second booster in future?
The JCVI is still discussing whether to extend eligibility for the second booster more widely.
Last week, Sajid Javid hinted at an extension of the rollout, but no decisions have been made yet on who any potential extension will include - whether a fourth jab will be offered to all adults or only to certain groups like the over-50s.
Mr Javid has said that they are "looking at an autumn dose for over-50s," adding that the JCVI may at some point say more people will need to be jabbed.
About JCVI advice, he added: "They've actually been clear and their most recent advice is that they think that towards the end of this year, maybe in the autumn, there will be a need to give a lot more people a boost, an offer of a boost. But I'll wait for that advice."
