The Covid booster jab autumn scheme is opening in just a few days with some Brits eligible and encouraged to get their vaccination ahead of the winter season. The NHS vaccinations will start on October 3 and continue until December 20 and people born in 1960 or before will be among those who can benefit.
Millions of people will be able to apply – with Census figures showing 12.7 million aged over 65 (almost all of whom can benefit) in 2021 in the UK. People who match at least one of these criteria will be able to get their booter during this time, according to the BBC:
- Over 64 years old
- Between six months and 64 years old with a health condition that makes them vulnerable
- Elderly care home residents and staff
- Front-line health and social-care staff
If you are eligible, keep an eye out for correspondences from the NHS as they will be contacting qualifying patients directly. However, people can also book their own appointments to get the booster through the NHS App, GPs, pharmacies, drop-in clinics or by calling 119 in extreme cases.
If you are also eligible for the flu jab you may be offered this at the same time. However, patients are strongly advised not to get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine at the same time as a flu or Covid jab.
Four different companies are currently behind the NHS Covid booster jabs – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sanofi/GSK and Novavax. The booster campaign last spring used mRNA vaccines made by either Pfizer or Moderna. Both have been updated to help protect against more recent strains of Covid.
Some high street chemists and private clinics will also reportedly be selling and administering the Pfizer Covid vaccine directly to the public with a varying cost from £45 too £99. To qualify for these vaccines you must be aged 12 or over and not have had a Covid vaccine within the last three months.