COVID-19 vaccinations - Facts and Information
What is a Booster Jab?
For the most up to date information, please visit the NHS website.
You can now book your booster dose online if you are over 18, and it has been 3 months after the date of your 2nd dose. For those aged 16 to 18 there are additional criteria to be eligible for a booster vaccine. These criteria are detailed on the NHS website.
Booster Jabs are an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. This is to help extend the protection offered by the first two doses, as there is some evidence that the effectiveness of the vaccine wanes over time.
Boots will support NHS England to deliver the COVID-19 booster vaccinations and will be offering these at special vaccination hubs across some of our pharmacy stores. To book your First, Second or Booster Dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the NHS booking system,
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is a type of medicine that trains the body’s immune system to fight a disease. Unlike most medicines, which are designed to treat or cure diseases, vaccines help prevent them.
How do vaccines work?
Usually given as an injection, vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's much safer for your immune system to learn this through receiving a vaccine, rather than through catching a disease and treating it.
How long do vaccines provide immunity for?
Immunity provided by a vaccine can vary. Some vaccines – like for polio – can offer long-term protection (although a booster dose is often required), while other vaccines – like for the flu – are needed every year. This is because some viruses, including the flu virus, change regularly, and new vaccines are produced to match the latest versions.
COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations will be available for those who are eligible. More information is listed above, or is provided on the NHS website.
Will the COVID-19 vaccines be safe
You may be worried about how safe a vaccine, which has been developed so quickly, is. It’s important to remember that the NHS wouldn’t offer a vaccination to the public unless it was deemed safe to do so.
All COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in the UK, have gone through clinical trials and would not be offered if they were not safe. Millions of people worldwide have had a COVID-19 vaccine and the safety of the vaccines continues to be monitored.
What is 'herd immunity'?
When a large number of the population becomes immune to a disease, the spread of that disease slows down or can come to a stop. This is called ‘herd immunity’ or ‘community immunity’.
If enough people are vaccinated, it’s harder for a disease, such as COVID-19, to spread and ‘herd immunity’ is achieved.
Will I have to have the COVID-19 vaccine?
From meningitis to measles, there are lots of vaccines that the NHS recommends we have. The NHS hasn’t made any vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, compulsory, but it’s important to remember that they’re a key part of keeping you safe and protected against certain illnesses.
Information correct at time of publication (12.01am 05/10/2021)
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
