Coronavirus cases do not appear to be dropping but hospitalisation rates are not increasing. That’s the verdict of the latest data analysis by the ZOE Symptom study app, which has been monitoring the impact of the pandemic via user submissions. However, as winter approaches, the spectre of overwhelmed hospitals looms large.
To counter this threat, the UK Government has offered millions of at-risk groups a third shot of a Covid vaccine.
Most people will be offered a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine.
The impact of the booster shot campaign is being monitored but a study conducted by the CDC hints at some of the side effects to expect.
The study analysed self-reported data from the CDC’s V-Safe vaccine safety reporting program of 22,191 people who received their third shots between August 12 and September 19, 2021.
READ MORE: Pfizer booster vaccine side effects: Five of the most common symptoms after the third jab
The most common side effects included:
- Injection site pain (71 percent)
- Fatigue (56 percent)
- Headache (43.4 percent).
However, “no unexpected patterns of adverse reactions” after people received their third dose, the CDC researchers noted.
Booster shot – what you need to know
You’ll be offered a booster dose at least six months after you had your second dose.
The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have a booster dose. It’s important not to contact the NHS for one before then.
You can book your COVID-19 booster vaccine dose online if you are a frontline health or social care worker.
You can also book your booster dose online if you have been contacted by the NHS and you are either:
- Aged 50 and over
- Aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19.
If you are not a frontline health or social care worker, please wait to be contacted by the NHS before booking your booster dose.