Coronavirus Vaccine
Everyone aged 5 and over can get a first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please note, this is only applicable to children who turned five years old by 31 August 2022.
Everyone aged 16 and over can also have a booster dose, three months after their second.
You can book a COVID-19 vaccination for yourself or your child on the national booking system at www.nhs.uk or by calling 119.
People aged 16 and over can simply turn up to a drop-in vaccination clinic without needing an appointment.
To find a drop-in clinic in Coventry and Warwickshire, visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System website.
Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 15.
Seasonal boosters
As of 12 February 2023, the NHS is no longer offering a Covid-19 vaccine booster.
Some people at increased risk, for example, because of age or certain medical conditions, may be offered a seasonal booster later this year. If you are eligible for this, the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to get vaccinated.
More information
For more information about how the vaccine is administered and the clinical approval process that vaccines go through, click here.
Resources:
- COVID-19 pregnancy leaflet
- COVID-19 pregnancy leaflet large print
- COVID-19 Easy Read resources
- COVID-19 vaccination FAQs: students in Higher Education Institutions
- COVID-19 vaccination migrant invitation letter
- BSI Guide to COVID vaccinations
Guides for children and young people:
- COVID-19 vaccination guide for parents of at risk children
- COVID-19 What to expect after your child's vaccination 5-11 years
- A storybook guide for eligible children aged 5-11
- A guide for eligible children and young people aged 12-17
- A guide for eligible children and young people aged 16-17
- A guide for at-risk children and young people aged 12-15
- Information for children and young people on what to expect after COVID-19 vaccination
- Easy-read resources for children and young people
Videos:
- Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership has created a series of videos about the vaccination programme, which are available in a range of languages. The full list of videos can be viewed here.
- Joanne Finney, Grapevine Trustee, talks about her experience of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine: https://youtu.be/N11t7mTrD1w
- COVID-19 Makaton vaccine video (full version) - Sam and Louise
- COVID-19 vaccine: A message to our BAME colleagues
- Pregnant Mums and Covid
How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 vaccines have saved more than 100,000 lives and significantly reduced hospitalisations from COVID-19. The accination programme allows us to live with this virus without restrictions on our freedoms.
With both flu and COVID-19 expected to be circulating this winter, it’s important to boost your immunity and help protect yourself and others.
Can I still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the vaccine.
Like all medicines, no vaccine is a 100% guarantee of not catching the virus – some people may still get COVID-19 despite getting vaccinated but this should be less severe.
Has the COVID-19 vaccine been given to people like me?
As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.
Each of the vaccines are tested on tens of thousands of people across the world. They are tested on both men and women, on people from different ethnic backgrounds, and of all age groups.
Latest data from UKHSA show that six months after receiving a second dose, two doses provide between 55% and 70% protection from needing to be hospitalised for Covid-19. This remains around 70% six months after receiving the booster.
Will there be any side effects from the vaccine?
Common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK, and include:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around a day or two following the vaccination
- feeling tired
- headache
- general aches, or mild flu-like symptoms.
You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection.
Although a fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111.
Are there any serious side effects to having the COVID-19 vaccine?
Worldwide, there have been very rare cases of inflammation of the heart called myocarditis or pericarditis reported after some vaccinations. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men within several days after vaccination. Most of these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.
You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart.
If the vaccine and booster jabs offer high levels of protection, why do I keep having to have more?
The primary objective is to boost immunity in those at higher risk from severe COVID-19 illness. In particular, the vaccine will help avoid those people being hospitalised or dying from COVID-19 over winter.