Getting your vaccine

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines are safe and effective. They give you the best protection against COVID-19.

Who can get 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are available for:

• Everyone aged 16 or over
• All children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a 1st dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (including children who turn 12 on the date of vaccination).
• Most children will be given their vaccine at school during school hours.

Who can get 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine

• Anyone 16 years or older
• Some children aged 12 to 15 years if:
  • they live with someone who is more likely to get infections
  • they have a condition that means they’re at high risk from COVID-19

Winter flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines

For more information on who is eligible for the booster vaccine, please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine page of the NHS website.

Find out more about the booster vaccine, third dose and the flu vaccine below:

How to get your COVID-19 vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccines currently available are given in 2 doses. You can follow one of the methods below for both your 1st and 2nd doses. Please bear in mind that you will need to wait some time before getting your second dose:

• Those aged 18 or older can get their 2nd dose 8 weeks after their 1st dose.
• If you are aged 16 or 17, then you need to wait 12 weeks.

Arranging your vaccine

If you’re aged 16 or over you can:

• Book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy.
• You can find walk-in clinics in mid and south Essex on our walk-in webpage or in other parts of England on the national NHS website.
• Wait to be contacted by your GP surgery and book your appointments with them.

Children and young people aged between 12 and 15 years:

• Those aged between 12 and 15 years old are currently only eligible for one dose unless they are at higher risk of COVID-19.
• Most children can get their vaccine at school or can book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.
• If you think your child is eligible for a 2nd dose but you have not been contacted around 8 weeks after their 1st dose, please speak to their GP surgery.

If you cannot book appointments online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to. If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.

If you live in Essex and need help to book an appointment you can ring 0344 2573 961 (open 10am to 4pm, local rate).

Booking your 2nd dose

If you aged 16 or older, you are eligible for a 2nd dose:

• Those aged 18 or older can get their 2nd dose 8 weeks after their 1st dose.
• If you are aged 16 or 17, then you need to wait 12 weeks.

You can arrange your 2nd dose by:

• Booking online: you can manage your COVID-19 vaccination appointments online
• If your 1st dose was at a walk-in vaccination site, you can book your 2nd COVID-19 vaccination appointment online. You’ll need to wait 24 hours after your 1st dose before you can book.
• If you have your 1st dose through your GP surgery, you’ll be contacted when it’s time to book your 2nd dose.
• You can also get your 2nd dose at a walk-in clinic. You can find walk-in clinics in mid and south Essex on our walk-in webpage or in other parts of England on the national NHS website.
  • You need to wait between 8 to 12 weeks between doses depending on your age.
  • PLEASE NOTE: If you attend a site without an appointment that doesn’t have walk-in clinics, you unfortunately will be turned away.

Booster vaccine and third doses

Find out more about the booster vaccine, third dose and the flu vaccine below:

Cancelling booked appointments

If for any reason you are unable to make your appointment, please let us know ASAP by getting in contact with whoever you booked your appointment with (i.e. GP or National Booking Service).

Which vaccine will I get?

You cannot choose which vaccine you have. When you book, you’ll only be offered appointments for vaccines that are suitable for you:

• 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 doses, unless you had serious side effects (such as a serious allergic reaction) after your 1st dose.

The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the UK are:

• Moderna vaccine
• Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
• Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
• Janssen vaccine (available later this year)

What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination:

Information on what to expect after your vaccination

Side effects

The COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and should not last longer than a week. The NHS website has further information on the possible side effects.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility

Pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, please see our webpage on the vaccine, pregnancy and fertility.

COVID-19 vaccine ingredients

• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine patient leaflet on GOV.UK
• Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine patient leaflet on GOV.UK
• Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine patient leaflet on GOV.UK