With news of Covid infections increasing and talk of a double whammy of Covid and flu potentially creating a winter wave of infection, millions are being urged to take up their invitation for a Covid autumn booster and free flu vaccine if eligible.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning that Brits could have a difficult winter ahead with respiratory viruses circulating widely. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA, said: "Flu and Covid-19 are unpredictable but there are strong indications we could be facing the threat of widely circulating flu, lower levels of natural immunity due to less exposure over the last three winters and an increase in COVID-19 circulating with lots of variants that can evade the immune response. This combination poses a serious risk to our health, particularly those in high-risk groups."
So, who can get the autumn booster? According to the NHS website, certain people are currently being prioritised. Here's who will be called first.
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Who get's the autumn booster?
You can have a seasonal booster dose (autumn booster) of the Covid-19 vaccine if you are:
- Aged 65 or over
- Pregnant
- Aged five and over and at high risk due to a health condition
- Aged five and over and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
- Aged five 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
Others, including those aged 50 to 64 who are not at higher risk, will be able to get it later in autumn 2022.
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What to do if you've had Covid-19 or currently have 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:
- Four weeks (28 days) if you’re aged 18 or over
- 12 weeks (84 days) if you or your child are aged five to 17
- Four weeks (28 days) if you or your child are aged five 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's safe to have them at the same time.
How do I book my booster?
Invitation letters are being sent out to those eligible for the booster. Once you receive your invitation, follow the instruction in the letter. You can then either book online or by phone, alternatively, you could use a vaccination walk-in centre - Nottingham's is at the Haydn Road Vaccination Centre.
- Book a Covid-19 vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
- Call 119 to book by phone
- find a walk-in Covid-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
Where can I get the booster in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Locations across the city are signed up to deliver the vaccine including a vaccine centre within the Courtaulds Building in Haydn Road, Nottingham. This replaces one of the city's largest sites, the Forest Recreation Ground centre, which closes on Sunday, June 12.
Patients may be invited to other locations such as local surgeries but you can click here for the full list of vaccination centres, hospital hubs and community pharmacies currently listed.
Vaccination centres and hospital hubs
The Courtaulds Building - 292 Haydn Road, Nottingham, NG5 1EB
Ashfield Health Village - 27 Portland St, Kirkby in Ashfield, NG17 7AE
King’s Mill Hospital Vaccination Hub - Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 4JL
Community Pharmacies
Applegate Pharmacy - 132 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NS
Bingham Pharmacy - 23 Eaton Place, Bingham, NG13 8BD
Brinsley Pharmacy - 1 Brynsmoor Road, Brinsley, NG16 5DD
Boots Pharmacy Beeston - 31 High Road, Beeston, NG9 2JQ
Boots Pharmacy Victoria Centre - Victoria Centre, NG1 3QS
Boots Pharmacy Newark - 14 Stodman Street, Newark, NG24 1AT
Carrington Pharmacy - 343 Mansfield Road, Carrington, NG5 2DA
Celtic Point Pharmacy - 6 Celtic Point, Worksop, S81 7AZ
Clifton Health Pharmacy - 372 Southchurch Drive, NG11 9FE
Eagles Nest Community Centre - Gedling Road, Arnold, NG5 6NY
Evans Pharmacy - 12-14 Gotham Lane, East Leake, LE12 6LG
Glasshouse Chemist - 42-44 Glasshouse Street, Nottingham, NG1 3LW
Green Cross Pharmacy - 95 Musters Road, West Bridgford, NG2
Hawtonville Pharmacy - 77 Eton Avenue, Newark, NG24 4JH
Jaysons Pharmacy - 97 Arleston Drive, Wollaton, Nottingham, NG8 2GB
Jhoots Pharmacy - 103 Hartley Road, Radford, NG7 3AQ
Knights Bilsthorpe Pharmacy - Church Street, Newark, NG22 8QR
Knights Rise Park - 9 Bestwood Park, NG5 5EJ
Lifespring Centre - Sherwood Drive, New Ollerton, NG22 9PP
Lowdham Pharmacy -Main Street, lowdham, NG14 7AB
Mansfield Delivery Chemist - Wood Street, Mansfiled, NG18 1QB
Manton Pharmacy - Richmond Road, Worksop, S80 2TP
Acorn Pharmacy - Jacksdale, NG16 5JW
Nabbs Lane Pharmacy - Hucknall, NG15 6NT
Queen’s Walk Community Centre -The Meadows, NG2 2DF
Riverside Pharmacy - Bulwell Main Street, NG6 8QJ
Rolls Royce Leisure Centre - Watnall Road, NG15 6EP
Rowlands Pharmacy - High Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, NG19 8AN
Sherwood Late Night Pharmacy -Mansfield Road, Sherwood, NG5 2DR
Village Hotel - Brailsford Way, Beeston, NG9 6DL
Well Pharmacy Aspley - 412-414 Broxtowe Lan, Aspley, NG8 5ND
Well Pharmacy Balderton - 31 Main St, Balderton, Newark, NG24 3LG
Well Pharmacy Kirkby in Ashfield - 48A Low Moor Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, NG17 7BG
Well Pharmacy Radcliffe on Trent -22a Main Road, Radcliffe on Trent, NG12 2FH
Well Pharmacy Wollaton Park -12 Harrow Road, Wollaton, NG8 1FG
Wellfield Pharmacy - East Markham, Newark, NG22 0SS
Brackenhurst Campus - Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, NG25 0QF
Whistlers Pharmacy - Beaumond Chambers, Newark, NG24 1TN
Things to note
You can have your seasonal booster (autumn booster) if it's been at least three months since you had your previous dose. However, if you have not had a first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, you should have them as soon as possible. If you have a severely weakened immune system you should get an additional primary dose before you get a booster.
To book a vaccination you need to be registered with a GP surgery in England.
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