Some of the new vaccines - so-called mRNA vaccines - are different from the established vaccines: they do not contain weakened or killed viruses. Overall, the approved vaccines are safe, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) otherwise, they would not have authorized the vaccines. In addition to the typical vaccination reactions, there were also individual cases of sometimes severe side effects after vaccination, such as allergic shocks, which were reported in detail. Once a vaccine is approved, it's closely monitored to continue to make sure it is safe and effective.Typical vaccine reactions are mild and disappear after a few daysĪccordingly, such typical vaccination reactions have also been reported after receiving the BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and the Russian Sputnik V vaccines, which are already in use. The MHRA makes sure the vaccines meet strict international standards for safety, quality and effectiveness. people with different health conditionsĪll vaccines used in the UK must be approved by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).children and young people aged between 12 and 17.people from different ethnic backgrounds.The approved COVID-19 vaccines have been tested on thousands of people in the UK and around the world, including: How COVID-19 vaccines are developed, tested and approvedĬOVID-19 vaccines have to go through several stages of clinical trials before they can be approved for use.Ĭlinical trials are where a vaccine or medicine is tested on volunteers to make sure it works and is safe. Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine patient leaflet on GOV.UK.Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine patient leaflet on GOV.UK.Moderna COVID-19 vaccine patient leaflet on GOV.UK.For people aged 40 or over and those with other health conditions, the benefits of being vaccinated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh any risk of clotting problems.įor people under 40 without other health conditions, it's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine instead of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.įind out more about COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting on GOV.UKįind out about the side effects for the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the UK: The COVID-19 vaccine can help stop you getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. It's not yet clear why it affects some people. The MHRA is carrying out a detailed review of reports of an extremely rare blood clotting problem affecting a small number of people who had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. If you have a serious allergic reaction to the 1st dose of a vaccine, you should not have the same vaccine for your 2nd dose. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. If you do have a reaction, it usually happens in minutes. Serious allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines are very rare. They may ask what you're allergic to, to make sure you can have the vaccine. Tell healthcare staff before you're vaccinated if you've ever had a serious allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis). Most people with allergies (including food or penicillin allergies) can be vaccinated against COVID-19. Report a vaccine side effect on the COVID-19 Yellow Card website Very rare side effects Allergic reactions GOV.UK: information for children and young people on what to expect after COVID-19 vaccination.GOV.UK: what to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination.You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine, but you may have caught it just before or after your vaccination. If you have a high temperature that lasts longer than 2 days, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, you may have COVID-19. If your symptoms get worse or you're worried, call 111. You can take painkillers such as paracetamol if you need to. You may also get a high temperature or feel hot or shivery 1 or 2 days after your vaccination. Most side effects are mild and should not last longer than a week, such as: Like all medicines, the COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.
Find out about COVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects for children aged 12 to 15 on COVID-19 vaccine for children.