Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
Information for our service users
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus.
The vaccination is currently being offered to those most at risk from coronavirus which includes people with a severe mental illness and or a learning disability whether that is in the community or in our inpatient units, you are now eligible for the vaccine. We encourage all of our service users to have the vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones.
We want you to be able to make an informed decision so here is some key information about the vaccine.
How to book your vaccine
Details about how to book your vaccination appointment are being sent out now. This will be either from your GP or directly from the NHS. Please follow the instructions in this communication.
In addition if you or your carer is eligible for Carer's Allowance you can book a vaccination online via the NHS website.
Your care coordinator can help you if you have any problems in accessing the vaccination.
How the vaccine is given
The vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm.
It's given as 2 doses. You will have the second dose 3 to 12 weeks after having the first dose.
About the vaccine
The first dose of the vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus. But you need to have the 2 doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection.
Information guides
Guides about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the GOV.UK website. Guides are available in a variety of languages and easy read formats.
Vaccine Safety
Patient information leaflets for the two COVID-19 vaccines currently being used in the UK are available by clicking below:
The vaccines have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety.
Allergic reactions
If you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past to any food or medicines or/and if you carry an adrenaline pen (often referred to as an Epipen) for anaphylaxis you should not receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine but you can receive the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine. Tell healthcare staff at the vaccination clinic before if you've ever had any serious allergic reactions.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects
Most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild and should not last longer than a week, such as:
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a sore arm where the needle went in
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feeling tired
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a headache
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feeling achy
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feeling or being sick
You can take painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you need to.
Further advice for specific groups
Please click on the circles below for further information if you have a learning disability, are of a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background, or of a childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding.