Covid: When will I get the vaccine?

More than 9.6 million people in the UK have had at least one dose of a vaccine to protect against Covid-19.

Two vaccines - developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca - are being used. A third, from Moderna, has been approved.

All have been shown to safe and effective in trials. Two doses are needed to offer the best protection and these will now be 12 weeks apart.

And all of the vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death. There is evidence the Oxford vaccine can also reduce the spread of the virus.

Vaccines are being given to the most vulnerable first. A list of nine high-priority groups which covers about 32 million people - including 90-99% of those most at risk of dying - is being followed:

All four nations of the UK follow these priorities, but decisions on the roll-out vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

NHS frontline staff, care home residents and workers, and the over 80s were the first priority and the large majority of these groups have now been vaccinated.

People over 70 and the clinically extremely vulnerable are now being vaccinated. Some regions are of the UK are inviting the over 60s, although different areas are progressing at different speeds.

All the approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best protection against becoming seriously ill or dying with Covid-19.

Initially, based on how the jabs were tested in trials, people were told they would get the second dose three to four weeks after the first.

But to ensure as many people as possible are protected, the UK's chief medical officers decided to extend the gap to 12 weeks.

This is backed by a recent study which found the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine remained 76% effective during the three months after the first dose.

Some doctors had been critical of the decision, fearing it would make the Pfizer vaccine, particularly, less effective.

Few countries have followed the UK's example, as yet, and the World Health Organization has recommended a gap of up to six weeks only in exceptional circumstances.

From spring, the second phase of vaccination will focus on the rest of the adult population - mainly under-50s, who are much less likely to be ill with Covid-19.

Teachers, transport workers, supermarket workers and the military could be prioritised.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson recently said he wanted school staff to be a "top priority" for the vaccine in the next phase of the rollout.

Home Secretary Priti Patel says work is under way to move "police, fire and frontline workers" higher up the queue.

Thousands of vaccination sites are operating:

You'll be invited to book an appointment as soon as it's your turn, by phone or letter.

The official guidance says everyone should get the same vaccine for both doses.

In very rare circumstances - if only one vaccine is available, or it's not known which was given for the first dose - a different vaccine can be used.

In total, the UK has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and 40 million of the Pfizer vaccine.

Another 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine are expected in the spring.

The aim is to reach two million vaccinations a week, with everyone in the top four priority groups (up to 15 million people) given a first dose by mid-February.

This requires a steady supply from manufacturers and the required quality checks being carried out, which can take weeks.

The aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible over the age of 18.

The vaccines have not been tested in children so they won't get them until more research has been carried out.

Getting a Covid vaccine is not compulsory because experts say this wouldn't help create public confidence.

The government has so far ordered seven different types of vaccine and expects to receive 367 million doses in total.

If everyone needs two doses, that would certainly be enough for every adult in the UK.

Experts have not specified that any one group should get a particular vaccine.

A very small number of people have experienced a severe allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - when vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.

The UK regulator says anyone with a history of severe reactions to food, insect bites or a drug or vaccine can safely receive either vaccine as long as they are not allergic to any ingredient in the vaccine.

You should discuss any medical history of serious allergies with your healthcare professional before being vaccinated.

Most people will not be affected in any way, although mild side-effects - which are common with any vaccine - are possible.

Vaccination should only be considered for pregnant women when the potential benefits outweigh any potential risks.

This may be where the risk of exposure to coronavirus is high and cannot be avoided, or where underlying health conditions mean a high risk of Covid complications.

There are no specific safety concerns with the vaccines - but they were not tested on pregnant women.

Safety data is being collected for all women given one of the approved Covid vaccines.

Women who are breastfeeding can be given either vaccine.

No - this vaccine is being rolled out free to people via the NHS. You can't jump the queue by paying.

If you're eligible for a flu vaccine, you should get it as soon as possible, particularly if you will also be in a high-risk priority group for a Covid jab.

At its last meeting, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended leaving at least seven days between the vaccines.