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COVID-19 booster vaccination

20/10/2021
This article is more than two years old.

This article is from 20 October 2021 - the situation may change with time

The number of COVID-19 infections remain high in Oxfordshire and are continuing to rise.

The COVID-19 vaccine booster dose will increase the protection you have from your first two doses and give you longer term protection. Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may begin to reduce over time so getting your COVID-19 booster this winter is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your friends.

You can have your booster dose any time 6 months (182 days) after your second dose. This booster dose will help reduce the risk of you needing to go to hospital due to coronavirus this winter.

Anyone aged 16 and over who has not already had their first or second COVID-19 vaccination can still get vaccinated at a walk-in clinic or by booking through the NHS booking service (or call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week).

Who is eligible for the booster dose?

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends that the booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine is offered to:

  • those living in residential care homes for older adults
  • frontline health and social care workers
  • all adults aged 50 years or over
  • adults aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe coronavirus
  • adult carers (aged 16 or over)
  • household contacts (aged 16 or over) of immunosuppressed individuals

Anyone eligible will be offered a booster dose of either Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. AstraZeneca may be given as your booster dose if you have medical reasons that mean you cannot have Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna.

How to get your booster dose?

People will be offered the booster through a range of services. The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have a booster dose. It's important not to contact the NHS for one before then. Once you have been invited to have your booster dose, you can book your appointment via the NHS website or by calling 119.

Most people will be invited to book an appointment at a larger vaccination centre, pharmacy, or local NHS service such as a GP practice.

If it has been more than six months and you haven't yet received an invitation you can go to the national booking system to book.