Vaccination - getting a 1st, 2nd or booster jab
Anyone who gets coronavirus (COVID-19) can become seriously ill or have long-term effects ('long COVID'). The COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others.
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine
Anyone aged 12 years-old or older, and some children aged 5 years-old to 11 years-old, can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Anyone aged 16 years-old or older, and some children aged 12 years-old to 15 years-old, can get a 3rd dose as a booster.
Anyone aged 12 years-old or older who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, will be offered a 3rd dose, and a 4th dose as a booster.
In spring 2022, a 4th dose will be offered as a booster to:
- anyone aged 75 years-old or older
- anyone who lives in a care home for older people
- anyone aged 12 years-old or older who has a weakened immune system
For more information, go to NHS: who can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
The NHS will contact parents of children aged 5 years-old to 11 years-old, and will explain how to make an appointment for their child's vaccination. Go to GOV.UK: coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine guide for parents of children aged 5 to 11 years.
NHS vaccination bus
The NHS vaccination bus is a drop-in service that provides the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at different locations around Thurrock. If offers:
- first, second and booster doses for anyone aged 16 years-old and above
- first and second doses for anyone aged from 12 years-old to 15 years-old
You don't need to book in advance, just go to the bus at the following times and places.
| Where | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| ASDA, Thurrock Park Way, Tilbury, RM18 7HJ | Every Thursday until 23 June 2022 | 10am to 3pm, or when vaccines run out |
| IKEA, Lakeside Retail Park, Heron Way, Grays, RM20 3WJ | Every Friday until 24 June 2022 | 10am to 3pm, or when vaccines run out |
| South Essex College Thurrock Campus, High Street, Grays, RM17 6TF | Every Saturday until 25 June 2022 | 10am to 3pm, or when vaccines run out |
This service is provided by NHS Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
Why it's important to get your booster
A booster jab is not just a top-up – it's a huge increase in your body's ability to fight the virus.
Vaccine effectiveness against the new variant of coronavirus (COVID-19) – called Omicron – may be a lot lower when the protection given by your original two doses has started to reduce over time. Early evidence has shown a booster can prevent 75% of people getting symptoms from Omicron.
It's very important that, as well as protecting ourselves and our families, we help protect the NHS from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
How to get a booster jab
You can get a booster jab either by:
- booking an appointment
- going to a 'walk-in' vaccination clinic where you don't need an appointment
You can find lists of local walk-in vaccination clinics at NHS Mid and South Essex: walk-in vaccination clinics. You don't need to be registered with a GP to use these clinics.
If you prefer, you can book an appointment at a large vaccination centre or a smaller site, such as a community pharmacy. You can book your appointment online with the NHS using the form below, or by phoning 119.
The website and phone lines can get busy so you may be held in a queue for a short time. Please be patient and keep trying.
NHS: book a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
Vaccination safety
There is no need for your booster to be the same vaccine you had for your first two doses.
When you get your booster jab, it's most likely you'll be given either the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or the Moderna vaccine. Both have been shown to be very effective as boosters, no matter what vaccine you had for your first 2 doses.
If for any reason you can't have either of these vaccines, you may be offered the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as your booster.
Our vaccination safety page has lots more information to answer any questions you may have, including concerns about:
- vaccine side effects
- vaccine ingredients
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- fertility
If you were vaccinated outside of England
If you are aged 16 years-old or older and have a NHS number, you can book an appointment to show evidence of any coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had outside of England. The NHS can then update your vaccination record.
Go to NHS: tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had abroad.
COVID-19 symptoms and testing
If you have any symptom of COVID-19, you should take a test and stay at home until you get your results. Do not attend a vaccination appointment or walk-in clinic while awaiting your results.
If you test positive, you must wait 4 weeks (28 days) from the day of your positive test before you get a vaccination jab.
If you get a negative result and feel well enough, you can get your vaccination.
For more information about testing and how to get tested, go to getting a test.
For information on what else you can do to stay safe, go to GOV.UK: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread.
Our amazing NHS volunteers
Over 1,000 volunteers are helping to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19) across Mid and South Essex, but many more are needed. You can give as little or as much time as you want. To find out more, go to NHS Mid and South Essex: how to volunteer.
It's only possible to vaccinate millions of people across the UK thanks to the hard work and dedication of so many amazing teams that run testing sites, vaccination sites, GP practices and hospitals. Please be kind to them!