Get boosted

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.

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

AYes,

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.

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

AIn 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.

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

AYou

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

AWe

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.

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