Boris Johnson announced last night that the covid booster programme would be extended.
In his announcement he said that from today in England, the booster vaccine programme will be opened up to every adult over 18, and younger age groups from Wednesday.
This means that all adults, ages 18 and over, in the UK can receive their booster jab before the end of the year.
READ MORE: Key coronavirus changes following Boris Johnson's announcement
The ramp up in vaccinations comes after the rapid spread of the latest variant of covid, Omicron, in what Johnson described as a "tidal wave".
You could receive a different jab for your booster to what you had for your first two doses of the jab as Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, while speaking on Sky News: "This variant, and different types of vaccines will react in different ways. But whether it's AstraZeneca you had for your first two doses or its Pfizer or Moderna, you still need a booster shot to be protected against this new variant."
What has changed?
The Prime Minister announced two weeks ago that every eligible adult would be offered a booster by the end of January but those plans have now been brought forward by a month and he wants everyone to be boosted by the end of this year instead.
The booster vaccination programme had previously been open to over-40s, but the concern over the emergence of the new variant has prompted a rapid extension of the programme.
Who can get their booster jab?
All eligible adults will be offered a Covid-19 booster jab by the end of the year in England.
From today, this means everyone over the age of 18 can get a third dose of a vaccine, so long as they have had a second dose at least three months ago.
The NHS booking system will be open to the younger age groups from Wednesday.
How to get your booster jab?
The NHS booking system has opened up to more people today and will be opened up to younger ages as from Wednesday.
Other ways you can book in to be boosted include:
- 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.
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