Covid booster: What are the unwanted effects of a 3rd vaccine dose?

The NHS is ramping up efforts at hand out extra Covid booster jabs to guard the British public towards the fast unfold of the brand new Omicron variant, as the brand new yr approaches.

The NHS vaccination programme is sending out round 650,000 textual content messages and 50,000 letters to individuals who haven’t but acquired their third dose of a Covid vaccine.

Prime minister Boris Johnson additionally urged individuals to get their booster jabs, including that there have been 2.4 million double-vaccinated individuals who had been but to take up the supply of a booster.

He informed reporters on Wednesday: “When you’re not vaccinated, you’re eight instances extra more likely to get into hospital altogether.

“So it’s an ideal factor to do. It’s very, crucial. Get boosted for your self and revel in New 12 months sensibly and cautiously.”

The renewed push for individuals to get their booster jabs come as the newest knowledge exhibits England and Wales recording a document 129,471 constructive Covid vases on Tuesday, and Scotland recording an additional 9,360 circumstances.

Authorities figures present greater than 32 million individuals have acquired their third dose of a Covid vaccine. However as Britons proceed getting jabbed, many could also be questioning what the unwanted effects of a booster jab might be.

Here’s what you may anticipate while you get your booster jab:

Which vaccine will I get for my booster dose?

Each one that is eligible for a 3rd dose of a Covid vaccine might be given both the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

You’ll be able to have both vaccine even when you got the AstraZeneca vaccine as a primary and second dose.

In response to the UK Well being and Safety Company (UKHSA), each vaccines have been confirmed to spice up the immune system effectively and have already been administered to tens of millions of individuals within the UK.

The company advises that individuals “might be provided the fitting vaccine for you, which would be the identical or completely different from the vaccines that you just had earlier than”.

What are the frequent unwanted effects of a booster jab?

A lot of the unwanted effects that individuals could expertise from a 3rd jab are the identical as these skilled with all different Covid vaccines used within the UK.

The most typical unwanted effects embody:

In response to the NHS, these signs could final round one or two days after vaccination. You’ll be able to take painkillers, comparable to paracetamol, to ease any discomfort.

When you expertise different unwanted effects, you may report them on the Yellow Card Coronavirus Reporting Web site, which helps the Medicines and Healthcare merchandise Regulatory Company (MHRA) guarantee protected and efficient use.

Are there extra severe unwanted effects from a booster jab?

In very uncommon circumstances, some individuals could have a severe allergic response to the vaccine. When you’ve ever had a severe allergic response earlier than, together with anaphylaxis, it’s essential to inform healthcare workers on the facility the place you might be receiving your booster jab.

The workers could ask what you’re allergic to to make sure you can have the vaccine. When you do have a response, it often occurs inside minutes and workers are skilled to deal with them instantly.

There have additionally been uncommon circumstances of coronary heart irritation (myocarditis) reported following a Covid jab, largely in youthful males inside a number of days of receiving a vaccine.

In most of those circumstances, sufferers have recovered and felt higher after resting and receiving easy therapies.

You need to search medical recommendation instantly if you happen to expertise any of the next signs after vaccination:

How can I e book my booster jab?

If you’re eligible for a Covid booster jab, you may e book an appointment on-line or name 119 to make an appointment.

You may also go to a walk-in vaccination website to get a jab. Discover out extra right here.