Getting a COVID-19 vaccination

Yes. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and thousands of people are still contracting the virus.

The removal of COVID-19 restrictions means exposure to the virus will increase for everyone so getting the vaccine is the best precaution you can take to protect yourself.

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and have been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

They were developed in record time, thanks to worldwide investment and collaboration, and previous scientific research into other SARS viruses similar to COVID-19. The approved vaccines have gone through the same rigorous process as other vaccines and have been tested on hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.

Yes. You are at an increased risk from COVID-19 if:

• you are not vaccinated
• you are pregnant
• you are elderly
• you have any underlying health conditions or are overweight
• you have frequent contact with people outside your home
• you do not take safety precautions like wearing a mask, washing hands, socially distancing or ventilating crowded indoor areas

A vaccine is a type of medicine that trains the body’s immune system so that it can fight a disease it has not come into contact with before.

Once you’ve had a vaccination, your immune system remembers that, so if you are exposed to the actual infection, your immune system can defend itself and make lots of antibodies that work to kill the virus. The approved COVID-19 vaccines do not contain egg or any animal products.

Yes, like many vaccines it won’t always stop you from getting the virus but it will help protect you from getting seriously ill. Most vaccinated people only experience mild symptoms or none at all if they get COVID-19.

No, the vaccine stays in your body for a few weeks, the components of the vaccine, once they’ve done their job, are broken down by your body and removed. It will not affect your DNA or cause any long-term side effects.

Like any medicine, including those you can buy over the counter, such as paracetamol or antihistamines, vaccines can have some side-effects. Most of these are mild and short-lived and not everyone gets them. Common side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccines include; soreness where the needle went in, feeling tired, headache, aches, feeling sick. These side-effects usually wear off within a couple of days or less, and you can take over the counter medicine, such as paracetamol, to reduce the effects.

If you get any side effects that worry you in the days after your jab, such as a persistent severe headache, call your GP or 111. In case of an emergency, if you have severe symptoms, such as breathlessness, call 999.

Yes. We know that these vaccines stimulate a stronger and possibly longer lasting immune response than a natural infection from the virus itself. We also don’t know how long natural immunity lasts, or if that immunity is protective against the new variants of the virus.

If you are over 16 you’ll need to wait 28 days after the date of your positive COVID-19 test before having the vaccine.

If you are between 12 and 15, you’ll need to wait 12 weeks before having the vaccine.

Current guidance states that anyone over the age of 16 should have two doses of the vaccine and a booster for full protection.The booster vaccine is offered to those that have already had their first 2 doses of the vaccine and provides you with longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Most people who are eligible for a booster will be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. This means your booster dose may be different from the vaccines you had for your first and second doses but will still be effective.

Different rules apply for the immuno-suppressed, elderly and those aged between 5 and 15.

No. There is no biological mechanism in the vaccine that can affect your fertility.

Yes. The vaccine is safe to have at any stage of pregnancy and is strongly recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It will not harm your baby and you could pass on protective antibodies to your unborn child. More information is available on the NHS website.

Everyone is entitled to receive the vaccine and you can attend one of our walk-in clinics without booking.

You can also register with a GP practice. You will then receive a letter inviting you to book your vaccination.

See how to register with a GP practice.

These FAQs refer primarily to the Pfizer BioNtech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines.

See COVID-19 vaccination FAQs (google docs).

Dr Tehseen Khan from Spring Hill Practice and other medical professionals in Hackney answer your questions about the vaccine in our new Let’s chat about vaccines webinar series.