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How long between Covid vaccines? Time between first and second jabs and how to move second bookings forward

Everyone over 18 in England should be able to book their first dose by the end of this week

The Covid-19 vaccine is now being offered to all over-18s, as the roll-out of the first dose nears its completion.

Boris Johnson has moved the target for offering all adults their first jab forward from 31 July to 19 July – the same day all remaining lockdown restrictions are now set to be lifted.

Sir Simon Stevens said the health service would use the four-week delay to the lockdown roadmap to “finish the job” of protecting all adults against coronavirus.

How long do I need to wait between my first and second jabs?

The normal gap between first and second doses is 12 weeks.

However, all over-40s are now being invited to move their second jabs forward so there is just an eight-week gap.

This is to allow as many people as possible to be fully vaccinated by 19 July.

Tests have shown two doses of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to be highly effective against the Delta variant, which has caused the recent spike in cases.

The move to accelerate second jabs comes off the back of advice from the Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The four-week delay to the final lifting of restrictions will allow 10 million more people to get their second doses.

How to book your second jab

You can book your second vaccine – or rearrange your current appointment – through the NHS website, or by calling 119.

Which vaccine will I get?

The Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines are currently being used in the UK.

You do not get to choose which vaccine you are given. However, under-40s are being offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca jab where possible, due to concerns over rare blood clots.

You will receive the same vaccine for your first and second dose – though a trial is currently under way to see if mixing and matching is effective.

Will there be a third dose?

People are being encouraged to sign up to a trial to measure the effectiveness of getting a third dose.

If that trial is successful people could start to be offered booster jabs from the autumn.

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