The UK Covid Booster Campaign: Get Jabbed Now!
İçerik Tablosu
The latest Covid booster campaign is now underway across the UK, and it is strongly encouraged that those who qualify for the booster vaccine get vaccinated as soon as possible. While there are currently no Covid restrictions in place across the UK, guidelines recommend that individuals who contract the virus should “try to stay at home”.
Recognizing Covid Symptoms
- High temperature, fever, or chills
- Continuous cough
- Loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Aching body
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Blocked or runny nose
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Feeling sick or vomiting
Most individuals recover within a few days or weeks, but for some, the virus can lead to more severe symptoms. If you are concerned about your symptoms or the symptoms of your child worsening, it is advised to request an urgent appointment with your GP or seek help from NHS 111.
Understanding Long Covid
- Extreme tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Memory and concentration problems (“brain fog”)
Some individuals have experienced long Covid symptoms following an initial mild infection.
Where to Get Covid Tests
Routine Covid testing is not recommended for most individuals, and free tests through the NHS are not available to everyone. However, if you have a health condition that qualifies you for treatment if you test positive or if you work in healthcare or a hospice, you can purchase a test for around £2 from High Street and online chemists. It’s important to note that these test results cannot be reported to the NHS.
Isolation Guidelines for Positive Cases
While individuals no longer have to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid, the government recommends staying at home for five days (or three days for individuals under the age of 18) as younger people tend to be infectious for a shorter period. Individuals at higher risk of severe illness from Covid, who have been informed that they are eligible for treatments if they contract the virus, should report their test results to the NHS so they can be contacted about their treatment options.
Contagious Period
Some individuals may be infectious for about five days, while others may remain contagious for up to 10 days. Those with a high temperature or who still feel unwell after five days are advised to continue staying at home until they feel well enough for their normal activities and no longer have a high temperature.
Work and Covid
While you are not obligated to inform your employer about having Covid, it is recommended to avoid contact with others for five days. If possible, working from home is encouraged, especially if you have a high temperature. The financial support schemes for individuals isolating during the pandemic have ended.
Covid and School Attendance
Under-18s who test positive for Covid are advised to stay at home for three days.
Eligibility for Covid Vaccination
For most individuals, vaccinations are currently available as part of the seasonal rollout. Private purchase of vaccines is not permitted in the UK. The 2023 autumn booster campaign is targeting the following groups:
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- Individuals over 65 years of age
- People aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
- Front-line health and social-care workers
- Household contacts of people with weakened immune systems aged 12-64 years
- Carers or individuals working in care homes for older adults aged 16-64 years
- Pregnant women
The NHS is reaching out to eligible individuals, and those in England can also book their appointments through the NHS website, the NHS app, or by calling 119.
Timing of Covid Vaccination
It is recommended to wait at least four weeks after a positive Covid test, even if you were asymptomatic. Individuals with severe illness or high fever should not receive the vaccine. It’s important to note that the vaccines do not infect people with Covid and cannot cause positive test results.
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