Covid booster vaccines: what you need to know Get the latest Covid-19 booster updates, from what the side effects are, to how long boosters take to be effective. Show
Updated 12 October 2022 What's on this pageTop questions
Covid-19 booster side effects
Which booster jab will I get? Will I get an updated vaccine?
What is the advice for people with a weakened immune response?
Booking or changing your booster appointment
After your booster appointment
General questions about the booster programme
Top questionsWho is being offered a seasonal Covid booster?Everyone over 16 who has been vaccinated, as well as some children who have a condition that puts them at high risk from Covid-19 (or who are living with someone who is immunosuppressed) should have been offered their first booster dose by now. If you haven't had yours, don't delay - book it in today. Protection provided by previous vaccines starts to fall after a few months, so it’s important to top up your immunity with boosters. The following groups will be invited to book a seasonal Covid-19 booster (autumn booster):
You should be offered an appointment between now and December, with those at higher risk being offered one first. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to book. How long do I need to wait to have a booster dose?You can have a seasonal booster once it's been three months since your last dose of the vaccine. The gap is the same for your first booster dose - which should be given three months after your second primary dose of the vaccine. What is a dual vaccine, or Omicron booster?Updated versions of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved for use in the UK. These updated vaccines are 'bivalent' vaccines, which means they offer protection against both the original coronavirus, as well as the Omicron variant BA.1. You might also see it referred to as a ‘dual vaccine’, ‘dual variant vaccine’ or ‘Omicron booster’. Moderna's research indicates that trial participants for its bivalent vaccine had antibody levels against Omicron subvariants (mutations of the Omicron BA.1 variant) that were 1.7 times higher than those who received the original booster. It's unclear at this point what this increase in antibodies means in terms of protection against the virus, but the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)’s guidance is that getting vaccinated in general is more important than receiving a particular jab. How long does the booster last, and how effective is it?The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published research in July 2022 that suggests that even six months after a booster vaccine, most people can expect a high degree of protection (about 80% vaccine effectiveness) from becoming seriously ill from Covid-19. However, there is also evidence that protection against less serious illness caused by the Omicron BA.2 variant drops to around 40% 15 weeks after a booster dose is received. The COV-BOOST trial published research in May 2022 that indicates that a fourth dose of mRNA Covid-19 vaccine – such as that offered by Moderna and Pfizer – is effective at boosting immunity. An Israeli study which made similar findings in April 2022. How long does it take for the booster to be effective?Studies have shown very high protection begins one or two weeks after receiving the booster jab. A trial by Pfizer suggests that from seven days onwards, a booster dose of Pfizer is extremely effective at preventing illness from Covid-19. The first UK real-world study, also looking at the Pfizer vaccine as a booster, only started to measure protection levels against Covid-19 illness from two weeks after the booster - again, protection levels were very high at this point. Do I need to have a booster if I've had Covid recently?Yes, it’s important to still have a booster, even if you've had Covid recently (although you will need to wait between getting Covid and having your booster). We know that the risk of being reinfected with Omicron is much greater than previous variants of Covid. Having the booster will help to top-up your level of protection, so you are less likely to catch Covid again, and much less likely to become seriously unwell from it. How long after having Covid do I need to wait to have a booster?If you’ve tested positive for Covid-19, you should wait before having another dose of the vaccine.
This date starts from the day your symptoms started, or the day you had a positive test, whichever was earlier. This gap is being recommended to make sure you are fully recovered before having another dose of the vaccine, and so that any Covid symptoms you may experience are not confused as vaccine side effects.-- For children aged 17 and under, a longer gap of twelve weeks is being recommended as there is evidence this may reduce the rare risk of myocarditis after the vaccine. If you’ve already booked your booster appointment and then test positive, make sure to log in and reschedule your booking.
Want to get fit and healthy?Sign up to our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter to receive healthy recipes, new activity ideas, and expert tips for managing your health. Joining is free and takes two minutes. I’d like to sign upCan I still catch Covid-19 after having a booster?Yes - while it is much less likely, it is still possible to catch Covid-19 after having a booster dose. Getting the booster will reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell if you do catch the virus, as well as offering you longer-lasting protection. Is the booster still effective if I get Covid after I have it?Yes. It takes time (a week or two) from the date of your booster for it to become fully effective. If you catch Covid in this time, it won't make the vaccine less effective. No vaccine is 100 per cent effective, so it's possible you could still catch Covid even once the vaccine has had time to become fully effective, but you're less likely to become seriously ill because of the protection against serious illness the booster gives. If you do catch Covid after having the booster, it doesn't mean that the protection from the booster has ended, and in fact there is research showing that people who have had the vaccine, as well as a natural Covid infection, have a better level of protection against Covid, regardless of the order in which this happened. This is called 'hybrid immunity' - some people refer to it as "super immunity" (although it doesn't mean you're completely immune from catching Covid again.) Can I have the flu jab and a Covid booster at the same time?Yes, it is safe to have them at the same appointment, and some GP surgeries, pharmacies and employers are offering this. It will depend on the arrangements at the pharmacy, surgery or vaccination centre that you are attending. If you are eligible for both, you can ask if you have them at the same time. If they are given at the same time, you will get one in each arm.Booster side effectsWhat are the side effects of the booster, and how long do they last?Side effects from the booster are usually mild and should only last a few days. The most common side effects of the booster are:
You can take paracetamol to treat them. If you have a fever following your booster jab that lasts longer than a couple of days, or you have any other Covid-19 symptoms, stay at home and get a test. What are the side effects of the Moderna booster?Side effects for the Moderna vaccine when used as a booster include pain or tenderness where you had the injection, swelling of the lymph nodes in the arm where you had the injection, tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, nausea, vomiting, fever, or rash. These side effects are similar whether you have the Moderna bivalent vaccine (also known as Omicron booster) or the original Moderna vaccine. If you do experience side effects, these are likely to be mild and last no more than a few days.
What are the side effects of the Pfizer booster?Symptoms for the Pfizer booster may include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, fever and chills. The side effects may be milder after a booster than after previous doses. Research from the UK COV-Boost trial suggests that Pfizer as a booster could have fewer side effects than Moderna, although there were some differences between different groups (see What are the side effects of the Moderna booster?)
What are the side effects of the Novavax booster?Symptoms for the Novavax booster can include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain. If you do experience side effects, these are likely to be mild and last no more than a few days.
Is myocarditis more common after the booster vaccine?Myocarditis and pericarditis are very rare side effects of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Data published by the UKHSA shows that myocarditis and pericarditis are less common after a booster jab, than after the first two doses of the vaccine – and this risk is already very small.
Which booster jab will I get? Will I get an updated vaccine?Which booster jab will I get?
You will be offered a dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as a booster. If you can’t have Pfizer or Moderna because of a medical reason, you will be offered Novavax (also known as Nuvaxovid). Updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been approved for use in the UK’s autumn booster programme, alongside the original vaccines. These updated ‘combination’ vaccines include a half dose of the original vaccine, and a half-dose of an updated formula, which is designed to
better target the Omicron variant.
Why is AstraZeneca not being recommended as a booster?AstraZeneca is no longer available in the UK. Evidence shows that mRNA vaccines work best as boosters, even if you received a different vaccine for your first two doses. This means that even if you had AstraZeneca for your first two doses, you will be offered Pfizer or Moderna for your booster dose.
Can I choose what to have as my Covid booster jab?No, you will not be offered a choice of which vaccine you get as a booster. You will be offered Pfizer or Moderna, as evidence shows that these types of mRNA vaccines work best as boosters. Novavax (also known as Nuvaxovid) will only be offered to those who can’t have Pfizer or Moderna due to a medical reason.
What if I am allergic to Pfizer or Moderna?If you can’t have Pfizer or Moderna because of allergies, you will be offered the Novavax (also known as Nuvaxovid) vaccine as your booster. You can speak to your GP or 119 if you have any concerns about which vaccine is right for you.Is the booster safe if I have a heart condition?Yes, the booster is safe for people with heart and circulatory conditions. The booster you will get is a dose of one of the existing vaccines that has been approved for use in the UK. No vaccine is approved unless it is considered safe for people with long-term conditions, including heart and circulatory conditions, and including older people. Do all the booster vaccines offer protection?Yes, findings from the UK-based Cov-Boost trial published in the Lancet in December 2021, showed that all the available booster vaccines improved immunity against Covid-19, regardless of which vaccine had been used for previous doses. All the booster vaccines led to an increase in antibodies that target the virus. In most cases the booster vaccines also caused an increase in T-cells, a type of white blood cell that is involved in fighting infection. The exception was that the AstraZeneca booster didn’t lead to an increase in T-cells in people who already had AstraZeneca as their previous doses. Overall, this research supports the UK policy of offering Pfizer or Moderna booster vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine is no longer available in the UK. Some of the news coverage of this research has focused on the different increases in antibody levels (measured 28 days later) between different booster vaccines. The study authors warn against focusing on this because it's unclear how relevant this is to long-term protection against the virus. What is the advice for people with a weakened immune response?I am immunosuppressed or immunocompromised, can I have a booster?The JCVI has recommended that everyone over 12 with a severely weakened immune system is offered:
This includes up to 500,000 people in the UK whose immune systems do not work properly or who are taking immune suppressant medication - including people who have had a heart transplant or are on certain types of steroid medication. If you are in this category you should book your first booster, if you haven't had it already. You should also ensure you take up all boosters when they are offered. A 2022 British Medical Journal review of studies into responses to vaccines confirmed that immunosuppressed people tend to have lower levels of protection against Covid after vaccination than people who are not immunosuppressed. It was found that people who had undergone organ transplant procedures tended to have the lowest levels of protection. The conclusion of the review was that people in this category should be vaccinated and take boosters when they are offered.
What is the difference between a ‘third dose’ and a ‘booster dose’?If you are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised, you will be offered a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, followed by a fourth "booster" dose and then a fifth dose (or second "booster"). The third dose is needed to build up the initial level of protection you get from the vaccine, because your immune system can't respond as effectively to the vaccine. This still counts as a primary dose (the first two doses are the primary dose for people who aren't immunosuppressed.) The booster doses (your fourth and fifth doses) help to top up the level of protection and help it to last longer. You will receive Pfizer or Moderna as your boosters, regardless of which vaccine you had previously. I am immunosuppressed or immunocompromised, how do I book my fourth dose?If you received your third dose at least three months (91 days) ago, you should be offered a booster appointment by your GP or hospital. You can also book online or attend a walk-in vaccination clinic. Booking or changing your booster appointmentHow do I book my booster appointment?When you are due for your booster, the NHS will contact you to book an appointment. This could be by letter, email or text. You may also receive an invitation from your GP. You will probably be asked to attend a vaccination centre, GP or pharmacy for your booster. If you live in a care home, vaccination teams are visiting care homes to give booster vaccines. How do I change my booster appointment?If you made your booster appointment online, you can log in to view, change or cancel your appointment. If you made an appointment with your local GP or pharmacy you should have been given a contact number to call if you need to change your appointment Where can I get a booster vaccine?Depending on where you live, you might find the Covid booster vaccine being given at pharmacies, GP surgeries or vaccination centres. Some health and care staff might be offered appointments in their workplaces, and vaccination teams are visiting care homes and people who are housebound. I am housebound. Can I get my booster at home?Yes, if you are housebound, you can get a Covid-19 booster at home. If you had your previous dose at home, wait to be contacted for your booster appointment. If you only recently became housebound, contact your GP to let them know you need a home visit. How soon after surgery can I have a booster?In some cases you may be asked to wait a few days (a week at most) after your surgery to have a vaccine. This is so that any reaction you have to the operation can be separated from a reaction to the vaccination. After your booster appointmentCan I still catch Covid-19 after having a booster?Yes - while it is less likely, it is still possible to catch Covid-19 after having a booster dose. Getting the booster will reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell if you do catch the virus, as well as offering you longer-lasting protection. Will I need to be monitored after my booster vaccine?No. You don't need to wait 15 minutes after your vaccine, since very few people have had serious reactions to the vaccine. You should still be monitored for 15 minutes if you have had a past history of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions, so that if you do have a severe reaction, help will be at hand. Will my booster jab show on my Covid Pass or certificate? How can I prove I’ve had my booster?In England and Wales proof of your booster dose(s) appears on your NHS Covid Pass. In Scotland, proof of your booster will be available in the Covid Status app. In Northern Ireland, the NI COVID Travel certificate will show all doses you have received, including boosters. The QR code and downloadable certificate will permit international travel (where certification is required). Can I have a blood test soon after having my booster?Yes, you can have a blood test after having your Covid-19 booster – the vaccine will not interfere with your blood test. General questions about the booster programmeWhy might I need a booster vaccine?Having the booster will help to top-up your level of protection, so you are less likely to catch Covid, and much less likely to become seriously unwell from it. We know that protection from two doses of the vaccine begins to wane after three to four months, but evidence shows that a booster dose gives much greater protection against Omicron than two doses of the vaccine. 2022 COV-BOOST trial data showed that further booster doses were an excellent way to top up immunity, with fourth doses in some cases offering even greater protection than a third dose. Will the booster vaccines be different in future?Yes, it’s likely that there will be updated Covid booster vaccines in future. While boosters are effective at preventing serious illness, they need to be updated to ensure they can tackle new variants of coronavirus. For example, in August 2022 Moderna’s bivalent vaccine became the first approved jab in the UK that was manufactured to target Omicron variant BA.1 (in addition to the original coronavirus strain). You might also see a bivalent vaccine referred to as a ‘dual vaccine’ or ‘Omicron booster’. Clinical trials are also under way to test an updated version of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Research is also continuing into other ways of administering Covid vaccines. Nasal vaccines – similar to those used for seasonal flu – are being developed in the hope that they might help prevent infection (current vaccines do not prevent infection, but they lessen the likelihood of serious illness), alongside vaccine pills and vaccines with broader immunity against future unknown variants. Will I get a Covid booster vaccine every year?The current advice on boosters is for the coming months. The situation will be kept under review, depending on what happens with Covid-19. It’s possible that a Covid booster jab will be offered every year, like the flu jab. Is there a dedicated Omicron booster vaccine?Moderna’s bivalent vaccine - also referred to as a ‘dual vaccine’ or ‘Omicron booster’ - was announced in August 2022 as the first approved jab in the UK that was manufactured to target Omicron variant BA.1 (in addition to the original coronavirus). It’s expected that other vaccine manufacturers will also release updated vaccines that target specific variants. In their July 2022 update, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) stated that studies of vaccines that target specific variants are ongoing. It’s not known yet whether this variant-specific approach will provide better protection against becoming seriously ill with Covid-19. Can I have a booster if I have Covid symptoms?If you’ve tested positive for Covid-19, you should wait before having another dose of the vaccine.
If you test negative, and are feeling well enough, you may attend your appointment. If you still feel unwell and your symptoms are contagious, for example if you have a cough or cold, it might be considerate to postpone your appointment to avoid passing it on to other people.
Can I have the booster if I am suffering from long Covid?Yes, you can have a booster if you are experiencing symptoms of long Covid. There is some evidence that the first two doses of the vaccine help to reduce long Covid in people who caught the virus before they were vaccinated. We don’t yet know whether boosters have an impact on the symptoms of long Covid, but we do know they will extend your protection against catching the virus again. So it’s important to have the booster when you are offered it, even if you are experiencing symptoms of long Covid.
Back to top ^ What are the side effects of the Moderna booster vaccine?Side effects are more common after the second dose and can include: Pain, swelling, and redness on the arm where the shot was given. Tiredness. Headache.. Fever.. Headache.. Fatigue (tiredness). Pain at the injection site.. Does the Moderna booster give you symptoms?Axillary (or groin) swelling or tenderness was reported slightly more frequently in the younger age group than the older age group (9.3% vs 9.1% after dose 2). Injection site redness and swelling following either dose were reported less frequently. Redness and swelling were more common after dose 2.
What are some of the common side effects of the Moderna COVIDJust like other vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines have side effects. It is normal to feel some side effects like being tired, having a headache, and feeling sore where you got your injection. These side effects can last 2-3 days after your vaccine. Always go to your doctor if you feel very sick.
|
Are there side effects from moderna booster
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 muatrau Inc.
