Vaccine info

[Bulletguy]

This info was emailed to me from Pharmacy2U;

 

 

There have now been three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK, the Pfizer vaccine, the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. All vaccines have been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after meeting strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness against coronavirus. We have put together a guide to explain in more detail about each of the vaccines.

 

How effective are the vaccines?

 

The results show both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to be up to 95% effective against coronavirus and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to be 70% effective overall. The studies also showed a strong immune response in older people for the Oxford vaccine.

 

How are the vaccines given?

 

All three vaccines require patients to receive two doses by an injection given in the upper arm muscle. The second dose for the Pfizer vaccine was originally suggested to be given three weeks after the first dose, however has now been changed to up to 12 weeks. This is because the Government is prioritising giving the first dose to as many ‘at risk’ people as possible because having the first vaccine alone does provide some protection against coronavirus. The Oxford University vaccine’s second dose is given 12 weeks after the first and the Moderna vaccine is recommended to have the second dose 28 days after the first vaccine.

 

How will the vaccines be rolled out?

 

The Government has been advised to prioritise those most at risk of catching coronavirus and suffering serious complications, to be vaccinated first. Below lists the eligible groups for the vaccination starting with the highest priority.

 

Older adults resident in care homes and care home workers

All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers

All those 75 years of age and over

All those 70 years of age and over and those who were classed clinically extremely vulnerable

All those 65 years of age and over

People between 16-64 years of age with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk (see conditions here)

All those 60 years of age and over

All those 55 years of age and over

All those 50 years of age and over

 

How can I get a vaccine?

 

The NHS will contact you and invite you to book an appointment when it is your turn to have the vaccine. it is important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.