Key facts about the COVID-19 vaccine
All vaccines go through several stages of clinical trials before they are approved. The COVID-19 vaccines have been tested on thousands of people in the UK and around the world, including:
- people from different ethnic backgrounds
- people aged between 18 and 84
- children and young people aged between 12 and 17
- people with different health conditions All vaccines used in the UK must be approved by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA makes sure the vaccines meet strict international standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.
What protection does the COVID-19 vaccine give you?
FACT • It reduces your chance of getting Covid-19.
FACT • It means you are less likely to be ill from Covid-19.
FACT • It protects yourself, your family and the community.
FACT • Two doses can be up to 96% effective against hospitalisation with the Delta variant. The benefits of the vaccines in preventing hospitalisations and death from Covid-19 far outweigh any possible side-effects from the vaccine
Reports of blood clotting from the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine
Blood clotting is a very rare but serious side effect of the AZ vaccine.
FACT • This has affected 10 people in every million.
FACT • If you are under 40 you will be offered a vaccine other than AZ vaccine.
FACT • Similar conditions can also occur naturally, and the protection from the vaccine far outweighs this risk of harm in older people.
FACT • Clotting problems are a common complication of Covid-19 infection.
FACT • An increased risk has not yet been seen after other Covid-19 vaccines in the UK.
FACT • If you have already had a first dose of AZ vaccine without suffering this rare side effect you should complete the course
More info: COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
You can have a Covid-19 vaccine if you are aged 16 or over and
- you’re pregnant or think you might be
- you’re breastfeeding
- you’re trying for a baby or might get pregnant in the future
If you are pregnant
FACT • Covid-19 vaccines offer pregnant women the best protection against harm from Covid 19.
FACT • Covid-19 disease can be serious in later pregnancy for some women.
FACT • The first dose of Covid-19 vaccine will give you good protection. You need the second dose to get longer lasting protection. You do not need to delay this second dose.
FACT • The overall risk from Covid-19 disease in pregnant women and their babies is low, but when infected in later pregnancy some women become seriously unwell and need hospital treatment.
FACT • Pregnant women with Covid-19 have a higher risk of intensive care admission than women of the same age who are not pregnant. Women with Covid-19 disease are also 2 to 3 times more likely to have their babies early than women without Covid-19.
FACT • Pregnant women with underlying clinical conditions are at a higher risk of suffering serious complications from Covid-19.
FACT • Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the preferred vaccines for pregnant women of any age who are coming for their first dose.
FACT • Anyone who has already started vaccination and is offered a second dose whilst pregnant, should have a second dose with the same vaccine unless they had a serious side effect after the first dose.
FACT • The vaccines cannot give you or your baby Covid-19.
Starting a family
FACT • There is no need to avoid pregnancy after Covid-19 vaccination.
FACT • There is no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines have any effect on fertility or your chances of becoming pregnant.
FACT • The Covid-19 vaccines currently approved in the UK do not contain any components of animal origin.
FACT • The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine contains a tiny amount of ethanol. Less than what you would find in some of your daily groceries like bread.
FACT • Faith Leaders and Muslim Scholars have said that the vaccine is not Haram
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