Get boosted NOW

As the fight against Omicron goes on, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to book your vaccine appointment

Have you had your Covid-19 booster yet? Millions of people have already received that vital extra dose of the vaccine – and with the highly infectious Omicron variant still spreading, now’s the time to book it in if you haven’t done so. You can do this at nhs.uk/covidvaccination; if you are in Scotland visit nhsinform.scot/ covid-19-vaccine; for Wales visit gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination, and for Northern Ireland visit covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated.

The booster dose is quick, easy and free for everyone. And if you haven’t already had your first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine it’s not too late to get those too. It’s the best way to protect you and your loved ones against Omicron.

Worried about side effects, or think you might not need it since you’ve already had Covid? If you still have questions, our experts have answered some of the most frequently asked ones here.

Q

I’ve already had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Surely I’m protected already?

A

Yes, you’ve got protection from your two doses, but the Omicron variant is spreading fast, so it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated.

A booster will strengthen your protection from serious illness and give you the best possible defence for you and your family. Boosters bring your protection against Covid-19 infections with symptoms back up to over 88 per cent, which is essential with so much Omicron around. Q

My medical condition makes me immunosuppressed and thus more vulnerable to infection, so where does that leave me? A

In certain circumstances you may be eligible to receive your booster jab sooner, and being immunosuppressed is one of those cases. If you haven’t had your booster, then go to the NHS website to book an appointment or find your local walk-in vaccination centre.

Q

I had my second dose of the vaccine just before Christmas, so when can I get my booster? A

You can get a Covid-19 booster three months after your second vaccine dose, so if that date’s coming up, book your appointment now. Q

If Omicron is still spreading so quickly, how do we know the booster actually works against it? A

We now know that two doses does not give you enough protection against catching Omicron, so every adult in the country now needs to get a Covid-19 booster.

A booster will strengthen your protection from serious illness from Covid-19 and give you the best possible defence for you and your family. So if everyone who’s eligible comes forward to get boosted it will build a wall of defence against the Omicron variant.

Q

I’ve never had Covid-19. Why

A

should I get the booster? Unvaccinated people are eight times more likely to be hospitalised than those who have had both vaccine doses and a booster.

If you catch Covid-19, there’s a chance you might get long Covid, which can have serious and debilitating long-term effects. Many people affected have said it has had a major impact on their lives, especially the ability to exercise, work and maintain relationships.

Boosters give you the best possible protection against the virus and significantly reduce your risk of serious illness and hospitalisation. “The Covid-19 vaccine is quick, easy and free. Don’t worry about side effects: as with all medicines, the vaccines may cause some, but most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. “As a doctor, I’ve seen firsthand the effect that Covid-19 can have on people. It is so important to get the jab to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Omicron is highly transmissible and could still lead to significant numbers of people in hospital, so you should make sure your immunity is topped up – and come forward for your first or second dose if you haven’t already. We don’t know what threat any future variants may pose, so if you haven’t had any jabs, it is vital that you do so.”

Q

I’m pregnant and I’m really worried about whether I’ll risk mine and my baby’s health by getting the vaccine. Are you sure I should get the booster?

A

Yes. If you’re pregnant, make sure you get boosted now. Being pregnant can put you at greater risk of getting seriously ill with Covid-19, which increases the chances of your baby being born prematurely or even stillborn.

UK data* shows that 96.3 per cent of pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid-19 symptoms between May and October last year were unvaccinated, and a third needed respiratory support. Around one in five women who were hospitalised needed their babies to be delivered before their due date to help them recover, and one in five babies needed neonatal care.

London A&E doctor Emeka Okorocha says…