How will I be contacted about the coronavirus vaccine?
Joel Lewis, Age UK's Policy Manager, explains what you should (and shouldn't) expect.
The news of the approval of coronavirus vaccines in the UK has provided a sense of hope. Whether you want your vaccine as soon as it becomes available to you, or you’re a bit hesitant about getting it, it’s important to rely on information you can trust.
Yes. The UK regulator and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (the independent experts that advise Government on all vaccines) have assessed all approved vaccines to be safe and able to offer a high level of protection against becoming severely unwell with coronavirus including for older people.
While there will be different vaccines available, no one will receive a vaccine that hasn’t been properly approved and shown to be safe.
Coronavirus vaccines will be made available to all adults at some point. We don’t have enough information yet to know exactly when that might be, but we do know it’s going to require patience as not everyone’s going to be able to get vaccinated at the same time.
Currently all those in cohorts 1-9 below are eligible for a vaccine.
To make sure those most in need of a vaccine receive one as soon as possible, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the Government to prioritise certain groups.
The initial priority groups are set out below, starting with those considered high priority:
Age is the most important risk factor for being admitted to hospital and dying from coronavirus, so the oldest age groups and older people living in care homes are a top priority.
This priority list provides a framework. However, that’s not to say everyone single resident in a care home will receive a vaccine before any health workers receive theirs, for example. Due to logistical factors, it might be this order might vary a bit in practice, and some parts of the country may make faster progress through the priority groups than others.
Following the above groups being vaccinated the JCVI have advised that it’s best to continue to prioritise people by age so it’s likely that people will be invited in the following order:
I provide care for someone, when will I get the vaccine?
People who provide significant care or support for an older or disabled person in the home may be classed as carers.
If you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance or a sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable to coronavirus then you’re eligible to receive the vaccine as part of priority group six who are in the process of being invited for vaccination now.
If you receive, or are entitled to Carer’s Allowance, are registered as a carer on your GP records, are registered as a carer with your local authority following a carers assessment or are supported by a local carer support organisation then you should be contacted to be vaccinated in the coming weeks. You may be contacted by your GP or through the National Booking System or both, the communication you receive will include information on how to book
If you're not registered as a carer anywhere or aren’t sure then you can try booking on the NHS website or by calling 119 and there are a few questions to answer to check whether you are eligible.
You can find more information for carers on the Carers UK website.
Currently the top 9 priority groups listed above are eligible for the vaccine. If you’re in one of those groups then you should be able to book online on the NHS website or by calling 119 between 7am and 11pm Monday - Sunday. This will provide appointments at a large vaccination centre or pharmacy site.
To book an appointment it would be helpful to have your NHS number, which you can get from communication from the NHS or from some medications, but if you’re registered with a GP you can still book without an NHS number. You’re also able to book an appointment on behalf of someone else.
If there isn’t a suitable appointment or venue available, then you should keep trying as more venues and appointments are added frequently.
If you’re housebound and unable to attend a vaccination centre, then you should contact your GP practice who should support you in receiving a vaccination at home.
When you do get contacted to attend you may receive multiple invitations with different options and you can choose where to get your vaccine, if you receive a letter from the national booking service for the large vaccination centres or pharmacy services then you can wait to be contacted by your local GP service if a more local service is more accessible. If you’ve already had a vaccine or booked an appointment, then you don’t need to respond. You may receive a phone call, email, text message or letter. So it’s useful to keep an eye out to make sure you receive the message. If your contact details have changed lately, now’s a good time to make sure your GP practice has the most up to date information.
There’s no time limit for getting vaccinated. If you’ve already been contacted about an appointment and haven’t taken it up or you’ve declined, and you’re in one of the top 9 priority groups then you’re still able to book a vaccine and can either follow the instructions above on booking an appointment, or follow the instructions on any communication you may have received.
Vaccinations will take place at one of the following settings:
The number of vaccination sites is increasing all the time to help vaccinate as many people as possible.
If you can't travel to get a vaccine, you will still be contacted. The NHS is working on special arrangements for people who are housebound.
Make sure you arrive on time but not too early for your appointment to minimise contact between people getting vaccinated. Where possible you should attend alone for social distancing measures, however if you need support in attending then one carer or family member can attend the appointment with you.
Remember a face covering if you’re able to wear one and practice social distancing and good, regular hand washing to prevent the spread of infection.
When you attend your appointment, you’ll be asked:
You’ll need to bring:
What to expect:
Keep your record card safe and make sure you attend your next appointment. After receiving your first and second doses of the vaccine you must continue to follow government coronavirus rules and guidance. It’s important to return for your second dose as this maximises long term immunity.
The NHS has provided some information about what to expect at your appointment, including what to bring to it.
Each vaccine has gone through trials to ensure the risk of serious side effects is very low. However, as with other vaccines such as the flu vaccine, there are some common side effects. These could include:
For a small proportion of people, their glands might swell. If this happens, you're advised to take paracetamol.
If you do experience any of these side effects, they're likely to last no longer than a week. But if they get worse or you're concerned you should call NHS 111 and explain your symptoms and let them know you've had a vaccination.
Any side effects you experience can also be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme by your doctor.
Serious reactions to vaccines are uncommon but can happen. People with an allergy to the ingredients of the vaccine should not receive it, however those with other allergies such as food and other medicines are able to receive the vaccine. If you’re concerned, speak to your healthcare professional for further advice.
Each of the vaccines which have so far been approved for use in the UK require 2 doses to provide good, long lasting protection from coronavirus.
Initially, the Government announced that people would receive their second dose of the coronavirus vaccine within 21 to 28 days of having the first. This has been extended so that people may have their second dose of the vaccine up to 12 weeks later. This will allow as many people as possible to receive their first dose in the quickest time frame.
This decision has been made following the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the independent expert body which advises Government on all vaccines, and has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the body which regulates and licenses all drugs in the UK.
The JCVI examined the evidence and concluded both first doses of the vaccines provide substantial protection from severe coronavirus disease within 2-3 weeks of receiving the first vaccination. Further research is on-going, but the JCVIs expert view, based on the available evidence, is that this level of protection is unlikely to substantially diminish over the 12-week period and the second booster dose will still act to ensure that protection is long-lasting.
While being vaccinated provides good protection from becoming unwell with coronavirus and we’re all looking forward to be able to see our friends and family again, it’s very important that when you have been vaccinated you continue to follow social distancing rules and any government guidance on restrictions.
This includes:
This is because:
While there’s plenty we do know about a vaccine, there are still things we don’t know for sure. This includes:
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