Autumn Booster Vaccine Information

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There are currently 2 booster doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine available:

  • a 1st booster for everyone aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, once they have completed their 1st and 2nd covid dose
  • a seasonal booster (called the AUTUMN booster) for some people, including those aged 65 years or over; those at higher risk or who are pregnant, and frontline health and social care workers

1. 1st Booster Information (NOT the Autumn Booster):

1st booster for people aged 16 and over : If you’re aged 16 or over you can get a 1st booster dose if you:

  • have completed your primary COVID-19 vaccination course (ie your 1st and 2nd dose, plus an additional primary dose if you have a severely weakened immune system)
  • had your previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago

1st booster for some children aged 12 to 15 : You can get a 1st booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you are aged 12 to 15 and have:

  • a weakened immune system or live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • a severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
  • Down’s syndrome
  • severe or multiple learning disabilities (or you’re on the learning disability register)
  • a condition that means you’re more likely to get infections (such as some genetic conditions or types of cancer)

You need to have completed your primary COVID-19 vaccination course and had your previous dose at least 3 months ago to get a 1st booster dose.

2. AUTUMN (Seasonal) booster Information

You can currently have a seasonal booster dose (autumn booster) of the COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

  • aged 65 or over
  • pregnant
  • aged 5 and over and at high risk due to a health condition
  • aged 5 and over and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
  • aged 5 and over and live with someone who has a weakened immune system
  • aged 16 and over and a carer, either paid or unpaid
  • living or working in a care home for older people
  • a frontline health and social care worker

Information:

Currently certain people are being prioritised for getting a seasonal booster. Others, including those aged 50 to 64 who are not at higher risk, will be able to get it later in the autumn 2022 (probably within the next couple of weeks)

 

When to get your seasonal booster?

You can have your seasonal booster (autumn booster) if it’s been at least 3 months since you had your previous dose.

If you have not had a 1st or 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine yet, you should have them as soon as possible to enable you to access the Booster dose.

If you have a severely weakened immune system you should get an additional primary dose before you get a booster.

 

How to get a seasonal booster dose

To get a seasonal booster (autumn booster) dose you can:

If you live in a care home for older people, contact your care home manager about getting vaccinated.

 

What to do if you’ve had COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19

If you or your child have COVID-19, or symptoms of COVID-19 but have not had a test, you should wait until your symptoms are better before you get the vaccine.

You should ideally wait:

  • 4 weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 or over
  • 12 weeks (84 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17
  • 4 weeks (28 days) if you or your child are aged 5 to 17 and at high risk from COVID-19, or live with someone who has a weakened immune system

This starts from the date your symptoms started or from the date of a positive test, whichever was earlier.

 

COVID-19 booster dose and flu vaccine

Some 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 IS safe to have them at the same time.  (Note – unfortunately we are not currently able to offer flu and covid vaccines together at our walk-in clinics in Middlesbrough).