COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can:

• help to reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms
• help you to recover more quickly if you catch COVID-19
• help to reduce your risk of having to go to hospital or dying from COVID-19
• protect against different strains of COVID-19

Which COVID-19 vaccine will I get?

COVID-19 vaccines in use in the UK have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. When they're available, you cannot choose which COVID-19 vaccine you have.

Some people are only offered certain vaccines, for example, if you're under 18 years old.

Children under 12 years old will be given smaller doses than older children and adults.

COVID-19 vaccine safety

The safety of the vaccines has been extensively reviewed in both adults and children by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The MHRA are continuously monitoring the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines and reports of serious side effects are very rare.

Common side effects of COVID-19 vaccination

Like all medicines, the COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination are mild and should not last longer than a week, such as:

• a sore arm from the injection
• feeling tired
• a headache
• feeling achy
• mild flu-like symptoms

If you have any side effects, you or your child should rest. You can also take pain relief such as paracetamol or paracetamol for children to help you or your child feel better.

For further information about the Covid vaccination: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/about-covid-19-vaccination/