Covid-19 Vaccine Update: 26th Sept 2023

Booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

The protection from previous doses or a COVID-19 infection may weaken over time. Booster doses help boost your antibodies and give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you get COVID-19. A first booster is recommended for all adults age 18 years and older. After this, seasonal boosters are recommended for some people.

You can book your booster Vaccine here.

Please check your eligibility before you book.

Who can get an autumn booster:

You are eligible for an autumn booster if you are:

• age 50 or older

• age 5 or older with a weak immune system

• age 5 to 49 with a condition that puts you at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19

• a healthcare worker

Wait 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection.

Seasonal boosters are recommended for people at higher risk from serious COVID-19 illness. Those at higher risk need to get a booster dose more often to maintain their protection against serious COVID-19 illness. If you would like an autumn booster and are not in a high-risk group you can still book an appointment. Just state why who wish to get the vaccine and the pharmacist will discuss this with you

Booster doses while pregnant - You can book this if you are:

You can get a COVID-19 booster once in this pregnancy. Wait 6 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine or booster.

The best time to get your booster dose is between 20 and 34 weeks. But you can get it at any stage of pregnancy.

If it has been more than 12 months since you had a COVID-19 vaccine or infection, you may be offered a booster dose earlier in your pregnancy.

If you have a weak immune system - You usually only need one booster dose in pregnancy. But if you have a weak immune system, you can get a second booster 6 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine or infection.

First booster dose:

Some people have not had their first booster dose.

At least one booster is:

• recommended for people age 18 and older

• available to people age 12 and older

Wait at least 4 months since getting your last COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection.

Why get a booster dose

For some people who need protection sooner, you can get your first booster 3 months after your last COVID-19 vaccine or infection. People under 16 must attend their booster appointment with a parent or guardian.

Which vaccine you will be offered

You will be offered an adapted Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as a booster dose. This is an mRNA vaccine. But they are expected to give even more protection against COVID-19 variants.

After your COVID-19 booster dose

You need to wait for 15 minutes after the vaccine. This is to make sure that you feel well before you leave. If you have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in the past, you'll need to wait 30 minutes.

Get medical care immediately if you:

• have difficulty breathing

• feel dizzy

• have a fast heartbeat or a skin rash

Booking your Vaccine

If you are eligible for a Covid-19 booster please book here.

If you have any questions please ask in store.

You can also book your COVID-19 Vaccine from the selected Life Pharmacy below by phone or email.