When can over 40s get Covid booster jab? Booking process for third vaccine - and who is eligible explained

The Covid vaccination programme is now well underway, with around 12.6 million people already having had had a third Covid-19 jab.

But when can the over-40s receive their Covid booster jab?

Here’s what you need to know.

When can the over 40s get the Covid booster jab?

All over-40s in England are now able to book an appointment to have a Covid booster jab three months after their second dose.

You can arrange your booking a month in advance - from two months (61 days) after your second jab.

The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have also said that all over-18s will be offered a booster by the end of January 2022 - although some may not get the jab until later.

Who else is eligible for the Covid booster vaccine?

Booster vaccine doses are available on the NHS for people most at risk from Covid-19 who have had a second dose of a vaccine.

This includes:

• people aged 40 and over
• people aged 50 and over
• people who live and work in care homes
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19
• people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
• people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)

People who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

Most people can:

• book a vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
• go to a walk-in vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
• wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery and book an appointment with them

People who work for an NHS trust or a care home will usually get their booster dose through their employer.