Covid Vaccine

What is a COVID-19 Vaccination?

COVID-19 vaccinations are given to people at risk of severe disease (in people 60 and older and those who are immunocompromised and are considered high-risk), as well as frontline healthcare workers. These include teachers, people in long-term care facilities and emergency medical responders. They are also being offered, through their employer or local government, to all adults aged 18 and over as part of routine NHS vaccination programmes.

It is known that there have been many false positives when using these vaccines, particularly in young children under 5. Although the Government has advised against this, it is still happening. At least 11 cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) have been reported after administration of Moderna’s vaccines in younger children. This number is likely far higher than the actual amount.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises parents not to vaccinate their child if they are concerned about a possible adverse reaction. There are no safety data on Pfizer and BioNTech’s specific vaccines. No deaths, rare serious side effects or incidents involving children under five have been reported.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that anyone who wants to get vaccinated should do so. It states: “If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have a history of allergies, you should wait until your child is about 12 months old before getting vaccinated. Allergies can occur with some medications. Always consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.”

To date, only 1 in 10 people who have received the first dose of a vaccine have required booster doses. People who have had booster shots so far are showing no signs of protection from mild or moderate health problems following vaccination. And in total, more than 100 million people across the world have received boosters.

How safe are the vaccines?

Vaccines are generally safe. However, there are still concerns surrounding the Novavax jab and its effectiveness against Omicron variant strains. A study which included almost 300 people found the shot was 70% effective in preventing mild illness from infection but less than 50% against severe illness from infection and hospitalisation. In contrast, Pfizer and Moderna were 95% to 99% effective at preventing mild disease from infection.

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are administered by injection. Both differ slightly from each other. First, the needle used must be inserted into the vein rather than the muscles, causing a slight tug on the arm. Then the jab comes out while the person is lying face down on a hard surface, preferably bed. Another issue is that both jabs require 2 doses. For the Pfizer vaccine, this second dose is at least four weeks after the first jab - although most vaccines are given three weeks apart, and sometimes up to 6 weeks.

People with underlying conditions (such as kidney failure or diabetes) should ask their doctors about whether they should receive an extra dose of either vaccine if they have already been inoculated. Also check with your GP, pharmacist or nurse as there is usually only one injection of the vaccine.

What do I need to know before getting a COVID-19 Vaccination?

You might be asked several questions before getting one of the vaccines. You will probably want to answer all your questions yourself before beginning any treatment. Your GP or nurse should help you decide if it is appropriate for you. Remember that a lot depends on how severe your symptoms were, and whether or not you are eligible for another reason such as age or pregnancy.

There are lots of myths around vaccines. Some people believe the jab prevents them getting infected. Others believe that it causes autism. While other people fear that they cannot give the right dosage since it is new and has not been tested sufficiently.

The truth is that everyone is different! Every individual’s body reacts differently to a vaccine. So while we may not know exactly what a vaccine contains or what it does, we can say that it has helped us achieve the best possible outcome, making our lives much easier.