Vaccination
The NHS has information about the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine.
Beware of vaccine scams. You will never be asked personal information or for payment as part of the NHS free Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Page contents
Easy-read and other languages
NHS and Public Health England have the following easy-read leaflets:
- Information on Covid-19 vaccination
- What to expect after Covid-19 vaccination
- Covid-19 vaccination for children and young people aged 12 to 15 years
- Covid-19 vaccination guide for all women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding
GOV.UK has an easy-read consent form for adults to download.
Vaccination information in other languages:
We also have vaccination resources in other languages (including posters) on our Covid-19 resources page.
The vaccine
The Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus.
You cannot catch Covid-19 from the vaccine.
The vaccines approved for use in the UK meet strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Millions of people have been given a Covid-19 vaccine and serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare.
There is no evidence that the vaccine affects fertility.
The Covid-19 vaccine does not contain any animal products or egg.
Vaccine for people under 30
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have announced changes to the guidance around the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine.
This is in relation to the extremely rare (around 4 people for every million doses of AZ vaccine doses given) blood clots and low platelet count in a small number of people following vaccination with the first dose of AstraZeneca.
As this is seen slightly more often in younger people, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that it is preferable for adults aged under 30 with no additional risk factors to receive an alternative first vaccine.
If you have already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine without serious side-effects you should complete the course.
Public Health England has further information on the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The vaccination programme
What doses to expect
People aged 18 and over (or turning 18 within 3 months) can get a first and second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Most children and young people aged 12 to 17 are currently being offered a first dose. Some may be offered a second dose if they have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19, or they live with someone at high risk of catching it.
People with a weakened immune system are being offered a third dose. If you are eligible the NHS will contact you. GOV.UK has a guide for people with a weakened immune system.
The third vaccine dose for people with a weakened immune system is not a booster dose.
Booster vaccine
Booster vaccine doses are for people most at risk from Covid-19 who have had a second dose of a vaccine at least 6 months ago. The NHS website has more information on who is eligible and how to get a booster vaccine. GOV.UK has a further guide to booster vaccination.
Questions and answers about the Covid-19 booster vaccination.
People aged 16 and over
Anyone over 16 can have their vaccination without waiting to hear from their GP.
The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning website has more information on booking your Covid-19 vaccination or going to a walk-in clinic.
Children and young people aged 12 to 15
Children aged 12 to 15 will be offered the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination, following advice from the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
All secondary school aged children will also be offered a flu vaccine this winter.
For those eligible for both vaccines, they will be given together. The Covid vaccine is an injection in the upper arm and the flu vaccine is a nasal spray.
Vaccinations will be given at school or a community clinic. Parents and carers will be asked to give consent before their child receives any vaccine.
In South Gloucestershire, Sirona Care & Health delivers the school immunisation service and they will be in touch about how the process will work and consent forms.
Questions and answers about the Covid-19 and flu vaccination for 12 to 15 year olds.
GOV.UK has Covid-19 vaccination guidance for children and young people.
Further information
The NHS website has more information on who can get a coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine.
Care home workers
People working or volunteering in care homes will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by 11 November 2021.
This will help to protect those most at risk from the virus.
GOV.UK has the full guidance: Vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes.
Other things that can help
- Easy-read guides providing information on coronavirus (Covid-19) and vaccination
- Read important Covid-19 vaccination info in a range of languages
- Doctors of the World has Covid-19 vaccine info for migrants in a range of languages
- The British Islamic Medical Association on Covid-19 vaccination statement and position
- Healthier Together FAQs
- Videos about the Covid-19 vaccine: For people with a learning disability and autistic people – YouTube
- Vaccine disinformation – YouTube videos available in different languages (NHS)
The government has provided British Sign Language (BSL) resources about the Covid-19 vaccine:
- BSL resources for eligible adults
- BSL resources for women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding
- BSL resources on what to expect after the Covid-19 vaccination
- BSL video guide of the Covid-19 vaccination consent form for adults
- BSL video guide to phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme
- BSL video guide on what to expect after the COVID-19 vaccination