Blackpool South Primary Care Network
South Shore Primary Care, Lytham Road, Blackpool, FY4 1TJ
South Shore Primary Care, Lytham Road, Blackpool, FY4 1TJ
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COVID 19 Vaccination
Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19.
You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine in spring if you:
- are aged 75 or over
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
- live in a care home for older adults
Please follow this link to find where you can get your Covid-19 vaccine – How to get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Some people need an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have a health condition or treatment that severely weakens their immune system. For example, if they have had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy.
Your GP or specialist will assess your risk and tell you if you need an extra dose of the vaccine. They will advise you on when to get vaccinated based on your treatment plan, and help you find a local appointment. Speak to your GP or specialist for more information.
If your GP or specialist cannot arrange an appointment for you, you can contact your local NHS COVID-19 vaccination service.
Find local COVID-19 vaccination contacts on the NHS England website
Types of COVID-19 vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the UK are:
Which vaccine will I get?
You cannot usually choose which vaccine you have. If you book online, you’ll only be offered appointments for vaccines that are suitable for you.
Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines, but some people are only offered certain vaccines.
For example:
- if you’re pregnant or under 40 you’ll usually be offered appointments for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines
- if you’re under 18, you’ll only be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
You should have the same vaccine for both your 1st and 2nd doses, unless you had serious side effects (such as a serious allergic reaction) after your 1st dose.
Most people will be offered a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine.
This means your booster dose may be different from the vaccine you had for your first 2 doses.
How well do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
Anyone who gets COVID-19 can become seriously ill or have long-term effects (long COVID). The COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others.
Research has shown the vaccines help:
- reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
- reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19
- protect against COVID-19 variants
The 1st dose should give you some protection from 3 or 4 weeks after you’ve had it. But you need 2 doses for stronger and longer-lasting protection.
Most people also need a booster dose to help improve the protection from the first 2 doses of the vaccine.
There is a chance you might still get or spread COVID-19 even if you have a vaccine, so it’s important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.
Side effects and safety
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
They can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.
Any side effects are usually mild and should not last longer than a week, such as:
- a sore arm from the injection
- feeling tired
- a headache
- feeling achy
- feeling or being sick
More serious side effects, such as allergic reactions or blood clotting, are very rare.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety
COVID-19 vaccine ingredients
The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain egg or animal products.
You can find out about the ingredients in the vaccines currently available in the UK:
