COVID-19 vaccine – benefits and busting myths

Vaccines enabled the gradual and safe removal of restrictions on everyday life over the past year. Thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine, we are able to get back to doing the things we love. However, COVID-19 is still out there and there are still people in hospital unwell with the virus. Many of those that are in hospital are those who have not been vaccinated or have not received a booster.

Yes, you still need to get a dose of the vaccine for extra protection, even if you have recently recovered from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine provides stronger protection than natural immunity against serious complications, including from any future waves due to new variants. If you are aged over 18, you need to wait 4 weeks after a positive COVID-19 test to get vaccinated. If you are aged 5 to 17 and not classified as at greater risk, then you need to wait 12 weeks (those at greater risk need to wait 4 weeks).

Yes you should get vaccinated. It’s strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect you and your baby. You’re at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you’re pregnant. For more information about the vaccine and pregnancy, visit our ‘vaccine advice on pregnancy and fertility’ page .

Getting the vaccine will help to protect children and young people against COVID-19. Whilst most children usually have mild illness, they can pass on their infection to others in their family and those they come into contact with.

For some people, coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 syndrome or “long COVID”. The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get COVID-19. People who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.

Common long COVID-19 symptoms include extreme tiredness, shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping. A full list of symptoms is available on the NHS website.

The rules for travelling will vary depending on the country you are thinking of visiting. Many places around the world require either evidence of vaccination or a negative PCR test. To find out if your destination requires these, visit the Gov.uk website, which has details of travel requirements around the world.

Some venues of large public events across the UK may choose to check the COVID-19 status of visitors or their workforce. You may be asked to demonstrate your COVID-19 status as a condition of entry. Alternatively, you may have to provide evidence of a negative PCR test if you are not vaccinated. You will need to check with the event organiser to find out what requirements are in place.

The NHS COVID Pass is a way to show your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status or test results if you need to. You can use a tablet or smartphone to show your NHS COVID Pass. You can also download it as a PDF, print it, save it to your mobile device, or have it sent as a link in an email. For more information on the NHS COVID Pass visit the NHS website or the Gov.uk website.

You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine. None of the authorised COVID-19 vaccines in the United Kingdom contain the live virus that causes COVID-19; the vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. The vaccine can cause side-effects, but these are usually mild and are not caused by an infection.

You may experience some mild side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Side-effects are very mild, do not last for very long and not everybody will get them. Some of the more common side-effects can include a sore arm, feeling tired, a headache, feeling achy, and feeling or being sick. If you do get these, a pain killer such as paracetamol is recommended. For more information on side-effects, visit the NHS website .

The vaccine has been tested across the world and found to be safe and effective, including for children.

You do not need to be registered with a GP to receive a COVID-19 or have an NHS number to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. You can go to one of the walk-in clinics to receive your vaccine.

It’s never too late to come forward for your first, second or (if you were immunosuppressed at the time of one of these) a third dose of the vaccine. You do not need to be registered with a GP and can find a walk-in locally or book an appointment.

No – they are two separate vaccinations. The COVID vaccine is available to everyone aged 5 and over. The flu vaccine is offered for free to those that are most vulnerable to the flu virus. For more information and to check if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, visit the NHS website.

The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of suffering from COVID-19, preventing severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. The protection the vaccines provide does decrease over time, especially for certain groups. Therefore; a booster is offered to everyone aged 16 and above 3 months after their last dose and a spring booster is available to those aged 75 and over and those aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system.

The NHS is delivering a Spring Booster in England to those who are most vulnerable from COVID-19, including people aged 75 and over. The NHS is also preparing to deliver an autumn dose of the vaccine, but whether this happens will depend on future recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.