Vaccine information for COVID-19

Types of vaccine

In use from October 2023 onwards:

Pfizer Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (30 micrograms): Adult 12 and over
Pfizer Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (10 micrograms): Paediatric 5 to 11 Years Old
Pfizer Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (3 micrograms): Infant Paediatric 6 months to 4 Years Old
Spikevax XBB.1.5 (50 micrograms): Adult 18+

In use from September 2023 onwards:

Pfizer Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5 Bivalent: Adult 12+
Sanofi VidPrevtyn Beta: Adult 18+ (If clinically directed as an alternative to the above adult mRNA vaccines)
Pfizer Comirnaty 10 micrograms: Paediatric 5 to 11 Years Old
Pfizer Comirnaty Three (3 micrograms): Infant Paediatric 6 months to 4 Years Old

The above vaccines are used for both primary and booster doses to help protect against the original strains of COVID-19 and the more recent Omicron variants.

All have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials.

In Jersey our vaccination programme is aligned with that of the UK.

All of the vaccines used to counter COVID-19 the effects of COVID-19 have been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulator Agency (MRHA) and use of vaccines are as advised through the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination

Guidance

People who are most at risk from the complications of coronavirus (COVID-19) are being offered the COVID-19 vaccination. This guide tells you what to expect after you have had your vaccination.

Side effects

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. The common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine start within a day and may last for a few days.

These include:

having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection
feeling tired
headache, aches and chills

You may also have flu-like symptoms with episodes of shivering and shaking for a day or 2. However, a high temperature could also indicate that you have COVID-19 or another infection (see advice below if you are concerned about your symptoms). You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better.

An uncommon side effect is swollen glands in the armpit or neck on the same side as the arm where you had the vaccine. This can last for around 10 days, but if it lasts longer see your doctor. If you are due for a mammogram in the few weeks after the vaccine, then you should mention that when you attend.

What to do if you are concerned about your symptoms

These symptoms normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned:

seek advice from a doctor or nurse
make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them the vaccination card) so that they can assess you properly

You can also report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines online through the Yellow Card scheme or by downloading the Yellow Card app for iOS or Android.

Vaccination and periods

Period problems, such as irregular periods and unexpected bleeding, are extremely common and can be caused by a variety of factors including stress and other short-term illnesses.

Some people may experience heavier than normal periods in the month or so after vaccination. While other changes to periods have been reported by some people after vaccination, there is no evidence that these were due to the vaccine.

Serious side effects

Rare cases of inflammation of the heart (called myocarditis or pericarditis) have been reported after Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These cases have been seen mostly in younger men several days after vaccination.

Most of these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.

You should seek medical advice urgently if you experience:

chest pain
shortness of breath
feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

Waiting after your vaccination

When we first used the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, people stayed behind to be observed for 15 minutes after their vaccination. Due to a very low rate of allergic reactions, only people with a history of serious allergies or those who had a reaction to a previous COVID-19 vaccination need to wait for this time.

Because of a risk of fainting, however, no-one should drive for at least 15 minutes after the vaccination.

Daily activities after your vaccine

You should be able to resume activities that are normal for you as long as you feel well. If your arm is particularly sore, you may find heavy lifting difficult. If you feel unwell or very tired you should rest and avoid operating machinery or driving.

Protection from the vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccines that you have had have been shown to reduce the chance of you suffering from severe COVID-19 disease.

It may take a few weeks from the first dose for your body to build up protection. Your body should start to respond more quickly (after a few days) after any additional doses. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, so you should continue to take sensible precautions to avoid infection. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and a full course will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill.v

Further information

Read the product information leaflet for more details on your vaccine, including possible side effects on the Coronavirus Yellow Card website. You can also report suspected side effects on the same website.

Protection and immunity

The COVID-19 vaccine reduces your chance of suffering from severe illness and developing complications.

It is important that you keep up with your vaccination schedule which is different for different age groups.

A booster dose helps increase the protection you provided from your primary course of the vaccine. It is important that you get your booster once you are eligible as the protection from your primary course vaccines will reduce over time.

It takes a few weeks for your body to build up protection from the vaccine. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. You should continue to take recommended precautions to avoid infection.

Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

After receiving your vaccine, you will still need to follow public health guidance to protect yourself and others.

You should continue to:

stay home if you are unwell
wear a face mask where advised
wash your hands carefully and frequently
ensure good ventilation

Protecting yourself and others from coronavirus

Passing on the virus

Most vaccines reduce the overall risk of infection and reduces the chance of passing on the virus, but some vaccinated people may get mild or asymptomatic infection and can still pass the virus on.

Any infection in a vaccinated person will be less severe and that viral shedding will be shortened.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The COVID-19 vaccines available in the UK have been shown to be effective and to have a good safety profile. These vaccines do not contain live coronavirus and cannot infect a pregnant woman or her unborn baby in the womb.

If you are pregnant, you don't need to do anything differently when booking your appointment. When you arrive for your vaccination at Fort Regent. Make the vaccination team aware you are pregnant so they can offer you the Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) or Moderna (Spikevax) vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that pregnant women should be offered COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as people of the same age or risk group.

Evidence on COVID-19 vaccines is being continuously reviewed by the World Health Organization and the regulatory bodies in the UK, USA, Canada and Europe.

Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines are the preferred vaccines for pregnant women of any age, and any stage of pregnancy, who are coming for their vaccine.

Although the overall risk from COVID-19 disease in pregnant women and their new-born babies is low, in later pregnancy some women may become seriously unwell and need hospital treatment. Catching COVID-19 and needing hospital treatment as a pregnant woman can double your chances of having a still birth. Women with COVID-19 disease are also 2 to 3 times more likely to have their babies early than women without COVID-19.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 have a much higher risk of intensive care admission than women of the same age who are not pregnant.

Pregnant women with underlying clinical conditions are at even higher risk of suffering serious complications from COVID-19. It is therefore very important to get vaccinated.

Risk factors for pregnant women

You are at more risk from COVID-19 than women of the same age who are not pregnant if you have underlying medical conditions such as:

immune problems
diabetes
high blood pressure
heart disease
asthma

Or if you are:

overweight
over the age of 35
in your third trimester of pregnancy (over 28 weeks)
of black and Asian minority ethnic background

Getting pregnant

There is no need to avoid getting pregnant after COVID-19 vaccination. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on fertility or your chances of becoming pregnant.

If you are pregnant

COVID-19 vaccines offer pregnant women the best protection against COVID-19 disease which can be serious in later pregnancy for some women.

The first dose of COVID-19 vaccine will give you good protection. You need the second dose and booster dose to get longer lasting protection.

Breastfeeding

The benefits of breast-feeding are well known.

The JCVI has recommended that the vaccines can be received whilst breastfeeding. This is in line with recommendations from the USA and the World Health Organization.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have a decision guide and other information you may find helpful.

If you would like to discuss COVID-19 vaccination in regards to pregnancy, you should contact your GP, midwife, obstetrician or speak to the healthcare professional during your visit to the vaccination centre.

Side effects

Like all medicines, vaccines can sometimes cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them.

Very common side effects include:

having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine
feeling tired
headache
general aches, or mild flu like symptoms

Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for 2 to 3 days, a high temperature is unusual and may mean you have COVID-19 or another infection. An uncommon side effect is the swelling of the glands. These symptoms normally last less than a week.

You should rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging). Do not exceed the normal dose.

Very rare cases of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis)

Worldwide, there have also been recent, rare cases of inflammation of the heart called myocarditis or pericarditis reported after COVID-19 vaccines, although it is not yet clear that these are caused by the vaccines.

These cases have been seen mostly in younger men in the USA 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 you experience:

chest pain
shortness of breath
feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

If your symptoms get worse

If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, contact your GP or healthcare professional. If you do seek advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them your vaccination card) so that they can assess you properly.

You can also report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. The Yellow Card scheme is the UK system for collecting information on suspected adverse drug reactions to medicines.

You can't catch COVID-19 from the vaccine

You can't catch COVID-19 from the vaccine but it's possible to have caught COVID-19 and not realise you have the symptoms until after your vaccination appointment.

Although a mild fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer: