Covid boosters are being rolled out with everybody eligible set to be invited for one before Christmas (Picture: PA)

Covid booster: How to book and who can have the jab now

by · Metro

The Covid booster jab campaign is officially underway, with certain groups of people being targeted for a third dose of vaccine to give them further protection against the virus.

With cases on the rise in the UK once again, and concerns that immunity could be waning among those who had their vaccine some time ago, people are being urged to come forward as and when they are invited to do so, to prevent Covid restrictions from being reintroduced this winter.

Millions of over-50s, NHS and social care staff and clinically vulnerable people are eligible for a booster shot in the coming months.

If you qualify for a Covid booster you might be wondering when it will be your turn to receive it – and if you can book one yet.

Who can have a Covid booster jab now?

From Monday November 8 anyone who is in one of the eligible groups for a booster jab can book theirs, provided it is more than five months (152 days) since their last dose of a vaccine.

This includes all of the following groups:

  • The over-50s
  • Over-16s who are in a Covid-19 at-risk group or who already qualify for the annual flu jab
  • The adult household contacts of immunosuppressed people

The JCVI has not yet announced whether it recommends booster jabs for the under-50s – but if it does, it’s unlikely that these will begin before 2022.

While you will be able to book your booster if it is more than five months since your second jab, the appointment you will be offered will still be more than six months (182 days) since your last dose.

What is the recommended gap between Covid vaccines?

The current recommended time between doses is around eight-12 weeks.

Researchers at Oxford University concluded that this gap between doses allows for the body to generate more antibodies to prevent the virus from binding itself to cells in the body.

The research also revealed that while antibody levels may dip between doses, T-cells - which also help with immunity against Covid - remain high during this time.

There may be some cases where a shorter gap between doses would be preferable - such as in the case of people who are the recipients of organ transplants, or those suffering from illnesses such as cancer.

However, experts have suggested people should avoid getting their second jab sooner, as leaving eight to 12 weeks between them will mean they have protection for longer.

How to book your Covid booster appointment

You can book your Covid booster appointment via the NHS website.

Alternatively, if it is more than six months since you had your second jab, you can get a booster jab at a walk-in centre.

You can find out which clinics near you are offering on-the-spot appointments by heading to the NHS website and using their walk-in clinic finder service – although you should note that in most cases this service can only be used by those who have already been invited in for a booster jab.

If you are in one of the eligible categories, you will be sent an NHS letter reminding you to have your booster dose at least six months – or 182 days – 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.

The jabs will be offered to certain age groups and people with certain conditions (Picture: AP)

If you have recently had Covid, 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 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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