Booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

A booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine helps improve the protection you have from your first 2 doses of the vaccine.

It helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Who can get a COVID-19 booster dose

You can get a booster dose if you had a 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago and:

• you are aged 18 or over
• you are aged 16 or over with a health condition that puts you at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• you are a frontline health or social care worker
• you live or work in a care home
• you are aged 16 or over and are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
• you are aged 16 or over and live with someone who has a weakened immune system (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

People who are pregnant and in 1 of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

How and when to get your COVID-19 booster dose

If you’re eligible, you’ll be offered a booster dose at least 3 months after you had your 2nd dose.

Most people can:

• book a vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
• go to a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
• wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery and book an appointment with them

People who work for an NHS trust or a care home will usually get their booster dose through their employer.

Book your vaccination appointment online

You can pre-book your booster dose online if it’s been 2 months (61 days) since you had your 2nd dose and you are:

• aged 18 or over
• aged 16 or over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19
• a frontline health or social care worker

You’ll be offered appointment dates from 3 months after the date of your 2nd dose.

Find a walk-in vaccination site

You can get your booster dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site if you had your 2nd dose at least 3 months ago and you are:

• aged 18 or over
• aged 16 or over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19 – you’ll need to bring your letter inviting you to get your booster dose or a letter from your doctor about your health condition
• a frontline health or social care worker – you’ll need to bring proof of your employment such as your workplace photo ID, a letter or a payslip from your employer within the last 3 months

If you do not get a letter but you have a health condition and you think you’re eligible, contact your GP surgery.

Which COVID-19 vaccine will I get?

Most people will be offered a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine.

This means your booster dose may be different from the vaccines you had for your 1st and 2nd doses.

Some people may be offered a booster dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine if they cannot have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

COVID-19 booster dose and flu vaccine

Most people who can get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are also eligible for the annual flu vaccine.

If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/

Créditos: Comité científico Covid