Free Covid vaccine booster deadline is approaching – are you eligible?

The Covid spring vaccine booster programme is ending soon (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

While the Covid pandemic may no longer be considered a ‘global health emergency’ by the WHO, the virus is still making its mark, with millions of new cases reported across the world each week.

The arrival of another new variant dubbed ‘Arcturus’ earlier this year is also a reminder that Covid hasn’t vanished.

Its symptoms are similar to Omicron, including fever, cough and runny nose – plus itchy eyes or conjunctivitis has been flagged as a possible new one, especially in children. However, it’s not thought to cause more severe illness and reports say the booster vaccines work against it.

With that in mind, it’s worth noting that the deadline for spring booster jabs is fast approaching, with just a few weeks left for those who are eligible for the booster to have theirs done.

Around 6.6m people in the UK are said to be eligible for a booster shot, with 3.6m of those reported to have had the additional jab.

When do the booster shots end – and who is eligible?

When does the Covid spring booster campaign end?

The Covid spring booster programme ends on Friday June 30 – so if you want the jab and have not yet had it, you have just over four weeks left.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay has encouraged those eligible for the jab to come forward, saying: ‘Even if you’ve not yet had your first dose of the Covid vaccine, you can still come forward to boost your protection.

‘It couldn’t be easier to get your jab with thousands of sites available across the country, so please do not delay.’

The booster programme is open to over six million eligible people (Picture: Getty Images)

Steve Russell, the NHS director of vaccinations and screening, added: ‘If you have had only one Covid vaccine so far, or none at all, it is not too late. 

‘Please make the most of the month ahead by protecting yourself from Covid before the offer ends.’

Who is eligible for the spring booster?

The spring booster is available for:

People aged 75 years and older – including those who turn 75 between April and June

Residents in care homes for older people.

Those aged 5 years and over with a weakened immune system.

The government’s spring booster guidance says that if you had a severe reaction to a previous dose you should discuss this with your doctor.

If you do wan to take up the offer and have not yet done so, you can book online on the NHS site or go to a walk-in clinic.

Which vaccine is being used?

The vaccine will be either Pfizer, Moderna or Sanofi/GSK – while Novavax is also available when alternatives are not considered clinically suitable.

The Sanofi vaccine contains an adjuvant (a chemical used to improve the immune response to the virus) and is only being offered to older people who may respond less well to vaccines.

Which vaccine you get will depend on a number of factors (Picture: Getty Images)

What you get will depend on local supply – though children under 12 will receive a version of the Pfizer vaccine.

For those who are vegan, it’s worth knowing that the Sanofi/GSK covid vaccine contains an oil derived from sharks.

The others offered by the NHS do not contain animal products, including egg.

MORE : Long Covid symptoms trimmed from more than 200 to 12 in new study

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