The Covid-19 booster vaccine rollout has been ramped up amid concerns around the new Omicron variant – which has made its way to the UK.
Certain groups of people are being targeted for a third dose of vaccine to give them further protection against the virus.
There are worries that immunity could be waning among those who had their vaccine some time ago, and so people are being urged to get their jab topped up in order to prevent a lockdown from being reintroduced this winter.
Here is all you need to know about who is eligible and how to book it.
Who is eligible for the Covid booster vaccine?
In the UK you can currently book a booster if you received your second dose at least six months ago, and you are:
- Aged 40 or over
- Aged 16 or over, with a health condition putting you at high risk from Covid-19
- A front-line health or social care worker
- Or, an adult living with an immunosuppressed person
It is not yet clear when booking will be extended to under-40s.
You will be contacted by the NHS when you become eligible.
How to book your Covid booster appointment
If you are eligible, then you can book your booster appointment via the NHS website, or by turning up at a walk-in centre.
You can find out which clinics near you are offering on-the-spot vaccinations by heading to the NHS website and using their walk-in clinic finder service.
You will be sent an NHS letter reminding you to have your booster dose at least six months after you had your second dose.
You can take this letter – or a letter from your GP or consultant about any underlying health condition – to any walk-in site from the six-month mark onwards.
If you do not receive a letter but think you may be eligible, you should contact your GP directly.
Boris Johnson has vowed to offer everyone eligible a booster jab by the end of January.
If you have recently had Covid-19, you’ll need to wait at least 28 days after the onset of symptoms before having your jab.
This is to allow time to recover from the infection, as Covid-19 symptoms can worsen in the second week of infection – and could be confused with side effects from the vaccine if it were given at the same time.
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