COVID-19 spring booster 2023

People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those aged 5 years and over with a weakened immune system will be offered a booster of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine this spring.

Spring booster eligibility

COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. For these reasons, people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over with a weakened immune system are being offered a spring booster of COVID-19 vaccine.

Timing of the spring booster

You should be offered an appointment between April and June, with those at highest risk being called in first. You will be invited to have your booster around 6 months from your last dose but you can have it from 3 months.

If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you will be called for vaccination during the campaign; you do not have to wait for your birthday.

Vaccines in use this spring

You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer, Moderna or Sanofi and approved in the UK. These vaccines have been updated since the original vaccines and target different COVID-19 variants. For a very small number of people another vaccine product may be advised by your doctor.

These updated vaccines boost protection well, and give slightly higher levels of antibody against the more recent strains of COVID-19 (Omicron) than the vaccines you would have received previously.

As we cannot predict which variants of COVID-19 will be circulating this spring and summer, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has concluded that all of these vaccines can be used and that no one should delay vaccination to receive a different vaccine.

The Sanofi vaccine contains an adjuvant (a chemical used to improve the immune response to the virus). This vaccine will only be offered to older people, who may respond less well to vaccines. The adjuvant in the COVID-19 vaccine is similar to the one used in the flu vaccine which is routinely given to over 65 year olds. The NHS website has more information about vaccine ingredients.

Please accept the vaccination that is offered to you as soon as you are able to – you will be offered the right vaccine for you at the right time.

You will be invited for your booster, your GP may offer you the vaccine or you can book using the NHS app for Apple or Android. You can also find your nearest walk-in vaccination site from the NHS website.

Who cannot take up the offer of a spring booster

There are very few people who should not have this booster. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor.

Side effects

Common side effects

As with your previous dose, the common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated vaccines being used this spring and include:

  • having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection – this tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine
  • feeling tired
  • headache
  • general aches or mild flu-like symptoms

You can rest and take paracetamol following the dose advice in the packaging, to help you feel better.

Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111 or text or phone 18001 111.

Serious side effects

Cases of inflammation of the heart (called myocarditis or pericarditis) have been reported very rarely after both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men and within several days of vaccination. Most of the people affected have felt better and recovered quickly following rest and simple treatments.

You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:

  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart

If you had a serious side effect after a previous dose you may be advised to avoid or delay further vaccination. You should discuss this with your doctor or specialist.

Reporting side effects

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme:

  • online at Yellow Card Scheme
  • by downloading and using the Yellow Card app on Apple or Android
  • by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm)

If you are unwell on the day of your booster vaccination

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.

You may still catch COVID-19 after having the booster

The COVID-19 booster will reduce the chance of you becoming severely unwell from COVID-19 this spring and summer. It may take a few days for your body to build up some extra protection from the booster. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but any infection should be less severe.

To access our FAQs, please visit our 'Your Health this Spring' section here

Please treat staff with respect - we are here to help

We have noticed a recent increase in the levels of verbal (and sometimes physical) abuse being experienced by staff at some of our local vaccination centres.

This type of behaviour is unacceptable, and we would like to remind people to treat our staff with respect. We are here to help you but please remember that our employees are working extremely hard to ensure everyone who is eligible can access their COVID-19 Vaccine.  The welfare of our staff is important to us. As such verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated. In the case of face-to-face incidents anyone behaving this way will be asked to leave and the Police will be called if necessary.  Everyone should be treated with consideration and respect.

Our clinics are experiencing high volumes of people attending to get their vaccination.  Therefore, longer queues may be likely to be experienced.  Priority will be given to patients with a booked appointment however, some walk-in appointments may be available for patients in the eligible cohorts (this will be fully dependent on vaccine availability). We understand that your time is important and would like to remind all eligible groups in Doncaster can book appointments via http://www.nhs.uk or alternatively call the national telephone number 119 where you can choose a time slot and location that suits you.

As we move through to the Autumn and Winter, we would also like to remind people to wrap up warm on colder days.

We understand that sometimes things can be frustrating.  Staff are here to assist but we ask everyone to be patient and please treat others with respect.

Thank you.

Side effects of the coronavirus vaccines

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. It’s normal to experience side effects after the vaccine. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease. Not everyone gets side effects. Most side effects are mild and normally last only a day or two.

Very common side effects in the first day or two include:

  • having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection
  • feeling tired
  • headache, aches and chills
  • diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting
  • mild flu-like symptoms

These common side effects are much less serious than developing coronavirus or complications associated with coronavirus. They usually go away within a few days.

If you feel uncomfortable, you can rest and take paracetamol. Make sure you take paracetamol as directed on the label or leaflet. Remember, do not take medicines that contain aspirin if you're under 16 years of age.

If your side effects seem to get worse or if you're concerned, phone NHS 24 free on 111. Tell them about your vaccination so that they can assess you properly.

Not all coronavirus vaccines are the same. Some tend to cause more side effects after the first dose, others cause more side effects after additional doses. The very common side effects are the same and should still only last a day or two.

Booked in for a flu vaccine or COVID booster appointment? Please keep it or change it if you can’t attend

Patients in Doncaster who have already booked appointments for a free flu or COVID booster jab are being urged to make sure they attend them so the slot isn’t wasted.

If you have booked your winter vaccines, it’s really important that you keep your appointment.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment then please let the NHS service you booked it with know so they can use the appointment for someone else.

When patients don’t turn up it has an impact on others and means a clinician’s time, the appointment time and essential vaccines are wasted.

Anyone with a COVID-19 vaccination appointment booked but can’t attend, should reschedule via the ‘manage my bookings’ button on the National Booking System (NBS); calling 119; or by contacting the NHS service you booked your appointment with, if it wasn’t via NBS or 119.

If you are eligible for the flu vaccine, your GP practice will contact you to arrange your appointment. If you haven't heard from your GP, or if you're not sure if you're eligible for the flu vaccination, please contact your GP or pharmacist, or visit the nhs.uk for more information