Published in January 2022
The information on this page was provided by Central Bedfordshire Council in the presentation called COVID FAQs.
Contact Public Health with further queries at public.health@bedford.gov.uk or COVID19.Vaccinations@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
The vaccine will reduce your chance of getting COVID and how far you can spread it.
Having the vaccine means if you are infected, you are less likely to experience severe side effects.
Source: https://www.covid-arg.com/post/vaccine-priorities and BLMK CCG COVID FAQ page
Source: GOV.uk MHRA releases for the AZ, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines
- The vaccines contain a variety of fats, salts, sugar and naturally occurring substances
- There are trace amounts of alcohol in the AstraZeneca vaccine but there is so little it is negligible
- There are no animal products, eggs, parts of aborted foetuses or microchips in the vaccines
Source: GOV.uk MHRA releases for the AZ, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines
- No, it is not a legal requirement that you get the vaccine but it is highly encouraged as it will save many lives not only within your immediate family but across the wider community
- It is important that before you choose to accept or refuse the vaccine you understand the benefits and risks so you can make an informed decision using all the correct information
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- No, the only genetic material the vaccines contains is a type called messenger RNA
- This short strand of code is like the ingredients list for the spike protein that lets your body know an infection is COVID
- This type of genetic code won’t interfere with or affect your own DNA
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- You will be offered two doses of either Pfizer of Moderna
- These doses must be at least 12 weeks apart
- You do not need permission from a parent/carer to get the vaccine
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- No, the vaccine you get will depend on availability
- Some people with specific medical conditions may be advised to take one over another
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- No, neither of these are necessary to get your vaccine doses
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- Vaccines are available at both mass vaccination sites, and community pharmacies
- If you can’t get to one of these, you can get free transport with a number of local companies in Central Bedfordshire
- All about Vaxi Taxis in Central Bedfordshire
Sources: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page and CBC website
- Yes, having COVID could give you immunity for up to 4 months but this isn’t guaranteed
- The vaccine gives immunity for a minimum of 6-8 months so will protect you better and will help reduce the potential for you to transmit the infection to your loved ones
- It’s also important to remember that just because the first time you had COVID ‘wasn’t that bad’ it doesn’t mean next time will be the same
- There are also a lot of young people experiencing symptoms of COVID long after they were infected – some even 2 years later
- If you have had COVID, please wait 12 weeks before going for your vaccine – if you are over 18, the wait is 4 weeks (28 days)
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ and long-COVID pages
- Some people with blood clotting disorders or allergies to vaccine ‘ingredients’ may need to avoid some types of vaccine, these people should talk to their GP before going for their vaccine
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- All of the vaccinators are trained in how to support people with needle phobia
- Inform the staff at the centre when you go to get your vaccine and they will be able to make necessary adjustments to the process to ease your worries as much as possible
- Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service now offer sessions for adults with needle phobia to help them overcome this – anyone who wants to access this should refer themselves to the service
Sources: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page and Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
- Everyone is at risk of COVID and whilst health people are less likely to experience the most severe symptoms, they may still be affected
- Long-COVID or post-COVID is more common in younger people and can detrimentally impact on everyday life
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- Yes, having COVID could give you immunity for up to 4 months but this isn’t guaranteed
- The vaccine gives immunity for a minimum of 6-8 months so will protect you better and will help reduce the potential for you to transmit the infection to your loved ones
- If you have had COVID, please wait 12 weeks before going for your vaccine – if you are over 18, the wait is 4 weeks (28 days)
- After vaccination please continue to do lateral flow tests twice a week, or as advised by your work/school
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- The vaccine will give you protection for at least 6-8 months
- This protection includes your own infections and the transmission of COVID to your friends and family
- Boosters are set to be offered to all adults by the end of January 2022 however, we do not know if they will be offered to those under 18
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- Yes, all of the vaccines have been rigorously tested at every stage of their development to ensure their safety
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- Because COVID has affected every country there has been lots of funding and collaboration between scientists and pharmaceutical companies which meant the process could happen quicker
- There are certain tests medicines and vaccines have to go through to be allowed onto the market
- All of these tests have taken place, they just happened more quickly that normal
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- For the strains which we are currently aware of, except Omicron, the vaccine appears to be working but continuous testing is taking place
- As new strains like Omicron appear, testing will continue and if necessary scientists will look to make edits to the vaccine to combat any changes to the virus
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- So far no long term side effects have been reported but we can’t be certain none will develop so there is ongoing monitoring happening all the time
- On the whole, the risk of long term side effects from the vaccine are much lower than from a COVID infection
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- No, there is no evidence that COVID vaccines or any other type of vaccine affect your ability to conceive or have children
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- Yes, although pregnant women were not included in initial studies follow up with women who got pregnant after their vaccine has shown that it has no effect on them or their babies
- The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommend the vaccine for all pregnant women
- There is no evidence this vaccine or any other will affect your ability to get pregnancy or the life of a foetus
Source: BLMK CCG, COVID FAQ page
- Is it safe to get the vaccine if you are breastfeeding?
- At the minute there isn’t safety data available but it is thought that there is not a risk to the breastfeeding infant, and the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any risks
- The Joint Council on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended vaccination whilst breastfeeding