How to get a Covid Booster Northern Ireland: Who is eligible for a booster jab and where can you get one?

With news of the Omicron variant, the rollout of the Covid Booster jab is being ramped up across the UK.

But who is eligible and how can you get one?

Who is eligible for a Covid booster jab?

To access a booster you will need to wait at least three months since your second dose, at the moment jabs are being rolled out by age groups.

If you are aged 30 or over and had your second dose at least three months ago, you are eligible for your booster at a vaccination clinic, community pharmacy, or GP practise.

If you are immunosuppressed or clinically vulnerable you will be able to access your booster and will contacted by your consultant or GP surgery.

The booster programme involves the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines but your booster dose does not need to be same vaccine as your previous doses.

Covid booster programme to be extended to all over-18

Although the booster programme has been recommended to be extended everyone over 18, it is being delivered in a phased programme, similar to how the vaccine was.

Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, Patricia Donnelly, head of Northern Ireland's vaccination programme explained. '"The roll-out of boosters to the entire adult population will be on a staged basis, given the JCVI recommendation and the required gap between second dose and booster,"

This recommendation from the JCVI does allow everyone to access a booster whatever their age, however, they will not be able to do so unless they meet the criteria.

When can you get your booster jab?

You can only get your booster jab three months after having your second dose of the vaccine.

This means you will only become eligible to receive the booster after you pass the three month mark from your second vaccination.

Where can you get a Covid booster jab?

You can access the jab at your GP clinic or within your local trust if you are eligible at a booster clinic.

This week health trusts across Northern Ireland will be holding walk in clinics at the following locations:

Belfast Trust

Royal Victoria Hospital Vaccination Centre - Any day between 8.30am and 6pm

Short Strand Community Centre - Tuesday, December 14 at 10am – 2pm

Crusaders Football Grounds, St Vincent’s Street - Wednesday, December 15 at 12pm – 7pm

St Johns GAA - Thursday, December 16 at 12pm-5pm

Deanby Youth Centre – Oldpark Terrace Saturday, December 18 at 10am – 4pm

Crusaders Football Grounds, St Vincent’s Street - Sunday, December 19 at 10am – 4pm

Northern Trust

Mass Vaccination Centre, Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena - 12 Noon – 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday (closed 12.30-1pm)

Slots have been cleared between 3-5pm for walk-ins.

South Eastern Trust

Ulster Hospital Acute Services Block - Monday-Thursday, 9am-7.30pm and Friday-Sunday, 9am-4pm

Downshire Hospital, Great Hall - Saturday & Sunday, 9.30am-3.30pm

Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre - Monday & Wednesday, 9.30am-7pm, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 9.30am-4pm

Western Trust

Templemore Sports Complex, Londonderry - December 13 and 14 - Monday 12.00pm to 8.00pm, Tuesday 9am to 4.30pm

An Chroi Community Hub, Waterside, Londonderry - December 15 to 21 - Monday and Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday 9am to 4.30pm

Omagh Leisure Centre, Omagh - December 15 to 21 - Monday and Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday 9am to 4.30pm

Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen - December 13 & 14 - Monday 12.00pm to 8.00pm, Tuesday 9am to 4.30pm

Community pharmacies where you can get your booster

If you are a Frontline Health or Social Care Workers with direct patient contact or are aged over 50, you are able to get your jab at a local community pharmacy.

The pharmacies where you are able to access a booster are outlined here, you will need to book in to make an appointment in advance and slots have been filling up fast.

What if you need to get the Covid vaccine?

If you haven't gotten your Covid vaccine yet and want to, there are ways in which you can access this.

Community pharmacies are leading the way for anyone wanting to access a first or second dose, you can find out participating pharmacies here.

If you only require the second vaccine dose, this is available at your local health trust, information on clinic opening times and how to make an appointment are below:

Belfast TrustNorthern TrustSouth Eastern TrustSouthern TrustWestern TrustWhat if you are pregnant?

If you want advice on getting vaccinated whilst pregnant, your obstetrician or midwife will be able to help.

Local Health and Social Care Trust are also running special antenatal vaccination clinics.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have put together detailed questions and answers on the vaccine, pregnancy and breastfeeding, you can read it here.

More from the News Letter:

Why is AstraZeneca not used as a Covid booster vaccine - and can you have a Pfizer booster after an AZ jab?

Covid NI: How to book a Covid vaccine, how to book booster jab, who is eligible and where to get one

Omicron Variant Covid: What is Omicron Variant, what are the symptoms, travel restrictions and more