Archive for the “1. About the vaccine(s)” category
I had the AstraZeneca vaccine and am worried about possible side effects from my second dose – can I have a different vaccine?
No. The JCVI have been very clear that people who had AstraZeneca for their first dose should also have this for their second vaccination, whatever age they are. So far, there have not been any confirmed cases of the very rare type of blood clotting …
What is the second dose guidance for pregnant women?
Pregnant women should have the same vaccine for both doses, like everyone else. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the preferred vaccines for pregnant women of any age simply because these have been used more widely during pregnancy in other countries and no safety concerns have …
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I felt unwell after my first vaccination, will this happen again?
Not necessarily. Everyone is different and even if you had side effects after your first dose, this doesn’t mean you definitely will after your second dose. In fact, for the AstraZeneca vaccine, the evidence shows that there are far fewer side effects after the second …
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How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?
The vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at stopping people from becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. Latest evidence also suggests that they help to prevent the virus spreading. The most recent analysis by Public Health England found that the vaccines have …
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Is one vaccine better than the other?
All the approved vaccines have been shown to be safe and highly effective. No trials have been carried out to compare the vaccines: the important thing is that they will both protect you from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.
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How long do the vaccines take to work?
Protection starts around seven days after your first dose. To get the maximum amount of protection, people need to have their second dose. Full protection takes effect around a week or two after the second dose.
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How many doses of the vaccine do I need?
The COVID-19 vaccines require two doses to give the maximum amount of protection.
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How do the vaccines work?
Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to fight the virus. The vaccines work by making a protein from the virus that is important for creating protection. The protein stimulates the immune system to make antibodies and cells to fight the infection. The components …
Are the vaccines safe?
Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety and effectiveness. They have been approved by an independent body (The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), which follows international standards of safety, and have gone through all the same …
Will the vaccines work with the new strains of COVID-19?
There is no evidence currently that the new strains will be resistant to the vaccines we have, so we are continuing to vaccinate people as normal. Scientists are looking now in detail at the characteristics of the virus in relation to the vaccines. Viruses, such …
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