Vaccination offers you the best protection from getting seriously ill or even dying from COVID-19, and enables society to function without strict lockdowns |
When eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster doses, it is recommended that you take it, even if you have already had COVID-19. There is increasing evidence to show that natural infection with COVID-19 does not lead to long-lasting immunity. COVID-19 vaccination offers the best defence against the virus. |
Children and young people have a very low risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 disease compared to adults. However, there is evidence of significant transmission of the virus in children and young people, which can lead to children missing school or the virus being passed on to older family members who are more at risk. In the UK, all children aged five and over, on and before 31 August 2022, can get a 1st and 2nd dose. People over the age of 16 and some 12 to 15 year olds can also get a booster. Parents and young people will be contacted by the NHS to invite them for vaccination. This will take place in a vaccination centre, GP surgery or in school. |
The overall aim of vaccination programmes, including COVID-19 vaccination, is to protect the most vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 vaccines are found to be effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalisation, including those aged over 65 and those with other medical conditions. In the UK vaccination priority list, the elderly populations are the first groups recommended for vaccination. See the priority list here. An early monitoring report from Public Health England shows that between December 2020 - February 2021 when vaccinations for the elderly age group were initiated, weekly hospitalisations fell by at least 60% in those aged over 65. Similar trends are seen in the weekly rate of deaths for this age group in the same period. See the latest report here. |
At this point we cannot say whether further booster doses may be needed in the future, but this is something that scientists and the government are closely monitoring. Current studies show that booster doses increase immune responses against COVID-19, including new variants, and provide the best defence against the virus. |