Following updated advice from the UK vaccine committee, a second dose of Pfizer vaccine is being offered to 16- and 17-year olds in the UK.
Every person over 18 in the UK can receive two doses of Covid vaccine, and some children at high risk over 12 can also have one.
Children between 12 and 15 years old who are healthy and at low risk should only be given one dose. This should not be done until 12 weeks after the coronavirus infection.
According to the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), a second dose for 16- and 17-year-olds is safe and effective 12 week after the first.
The JCVI previously withheld recommending a second dose due to concerns about myocarditis (a rare condition that affects young men, especially boys) after taking the second dose.
According to the company, it has been reassured by evidence from other nations that a 12-week interval between doses would reduce that very low risk.
Although a decision has yet not been made on the second dose for 12-15s, it could be made in the coming weeks.
All 12-17-year-olds should wait 12 weeks following a Covid infection to receive their first or second dose.
There is no vaccine currently approved in the UK for children under 12 years of age.
You can book your first, second, or booster dose if you are over 18 and you can do so here.
No. You’ll get Moderna or Pfizer if you are under 40 or pregnant.
All women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should receive two doses of vaccines. Hospital data shows that 98% of the pregnant women admitted to intensive medical care in this year were not vaccinated.
Pfizer has not offered any under-18s a job so far.
These vaccines have a high success rate in protecting against Covid-19-related death or serious illness.
The UK Health Security Agency has released the latest data indicating that there is more than 90% protection against death and hospitalization with all three vaccines.
Although the vaccines do not prevent people from getting the virus, they can reduce the chance of them contracting it.
Double-jabbed people are less likely to get Covid and become seriously ill.
Although covid vaccines don’t have to be compulsory, everyone should get vaccinated to protect their health and that of their friends, family, and the wider community.
As long as children under 16 have enough intelligence, competence, and understanding to understand the treatment, parental consent is not required. This is called “Gillick competence”.
Being fully vaccinated makes it easier to travel to other countries. In many cases, you won’t have to isolate yourself when you return to the UK.
It is important to remember that children under 16 are not eligible for a digital NHS Covid Pass. This can be used widely as proof of vaccination.
Furthermore, the one jab that most teenagers in the UK have received so far is not considered full vaccination. Some countries, including France, may require additional tests.
Before you travel, make sure to check the rules of your destination on the Foreign Office website.
Many are mild and completely normal, and they disappear within a few days.
These reactions occur because the body’s defenses are responding to the vaccine.
Very few people experienced severe allergic reactions to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. It is important that you discuss any allergies with your doctor before you get vaccinated.
Although there is no evidence that alcohol should be avoided, excessive drinking can cause a decrease in your immune system.
After being jabbed, some women experienced prolonged, heavy or painful periods.
This could be because vaccines stimulate an increase in immune activity, which can also play a role during menstrual cycles.
There is no evidence that the vaccine affects fertility or pregnancy.
Women who are pregnant should get the vaccine to protect their baby and themselves.
Coronavirus can cause severe illness in women who are pregnant later, as well as a higher rate of stillbirth.
Government guidance states that you can still get vaccines if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Recent research suggests that vaccination may be able to improve long-term Covid symptoms.
Researchers believe the vaccine may be triggering the body’s reset button, allowing it to recover.
