Covid: When will I get the vaccine?

More than 33.6 million people in the UK - half the adult population - have had a first dose of a Covid vaccine and 12.5 million a second dose.

In England, more than 80% of over-75s are fully vaccinated while among the over-50s, 95% have had one dose.

In England, people aged 44 and over are being invited and can book online. Text messages with a link to the national booking service, which can also be called on 119, have been sent out.

Over-50s are being offered the vaccine in Scotland. Unpaid carers in Scotland aged 16-64 can register online to get the vaccine, or call 0800 030 8013.

The Welsh government says all over-50s have now been offered their first dose. There's more information about the roll-out on the Public Health Wales website.

In Northern Ireland, people aged 35 and over are now eligible. They can book online or call 0300 200 7813.

The government insists all adults will be offered their first dose - in decreasing age order - by the end of July.

Some groups at higher risk of needing hospital treatment from Covid are urged to take up the offer of vaccination promptly:

The advice for pregnant women has been updated.

UK vaccine advisers now say they should be offered a Covid jab when other people their age get one.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are preferable, they say, because data relating to 90,000 pregnant women has not raised any safety concerns. Data on how the AZ vaccine works in pregnant women may be available in the near future.

Those most at risk from Covid and those caring for them were vaccinated first. They include:

All four nations of the UK follow these priorities, but the rollout varies between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Everyone should be offered a second vaccine dose within 12 weeks of the first jab to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

During April, about 12 million second doses are being offered to people in priority groups.

First doses offered daily are now being overtaken by second jabs.

The approved vaccines require two doses to provide the best protection.

In the UK, people were initially told they would get a second dose three to four weeks after the first. But to ensure a faster rollout of first doses, the UK's chief medical officers extended the gap to 12 weeks.

This decision has been proved correct by studies which show that one vaccine dose gives prolonged protection and cuts infections in all age groups. A second dose is still required, however, for maximum protection.

People under the age of 30 are to be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, after a review into a possible link with extremely rare blood clots in adults.

But the UK's medicine regulator - the MHRA - says the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risks for most people.

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.

If you have already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should also have a second dose.

Only those who suffered a rare blood clot after the first dose should not, the regulator says.

A UK trial is currently investigating whether using two different vaccines for the first and second doses could give better protection and more flexibility.

All three vaccines used in the UK have been shown to be effective at preventing people from becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid.

The AstraZeneca vaccine offers a good level of protection against the "Kent" variant now dominant in the UK. Early research on other vaccines, including Pfizer, suggest they also offer protection.

There are concerns the vaccines may not work as well against variants first spotted in South Africa and Brazil, and some UK variants too. But developers are updating their jabs to target the new variants, and plan to have them ready by the autumn.

They are likely to be offered as a routine booster for some groups.

The UK has ordered seven vaccines and expects to receive 407 million doses - more than enough for every adult to receive two.

Covid vaccines are being trialled for children by most companies. Pfizer has released early data which suggests children aged 12-15 are well protected, with no unusual side effects.

AstraZeneca has halted its trial involving 300 participants aged six to 17 while the UK's medicines regulator investigates a possible link with rare blood clots in adults.

In the UK, the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for use in over-16s and the AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines in over-18s.

Getting a Covid vaccine is not compulsory because experts say this wouldn't help create public confidence. But making it mandatory for NHS staff and care workers is being considered.

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

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

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