Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine 

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus. 

Please do not contact us - we will be contacting you when it is your turn. 

How the COVID-19 vaccine is given 

The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm. 

It's given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart.

How safe is the COVID-19 vaccine? 

The vaccine approved for use in the UK was developed by Pfizer/BioNTech. 

It has 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. 

Other vaccines are being developed. They will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective. 

So far, thousands of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term complications have been reported. 

Read about the approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 by MHRA on GOV.UK

COVID-19 vaccine side effects 

Most side effects are mild and should not last longer than a week, such as: 

a sore arm where the needle went in 

feeling tired a headache 

feeling achy 

You can take painkillers, such as paracetamol, if you need to. 

If you have a high temperature you may have coronavirus or another infection. 

If your symptoms get worse or you are worried, call 111.

Allergic reactions 

Tell staff before you are vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). 

You should not have the vaccine if you've ever had a serious allergic reaction to medicines, vaccines or food. 

If you do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. 

Read the latest COVID-19 vaccine advice if you have a history of allergies by MHRA on GOV.UK 

Information: 

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. 

Visit Yellow Card for further information

A cold is a mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It can cause nasal stuffiness, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. Usually it's a self-limiting infection – this means it gets better by itself without the need for treatment.

On average, adults have two to five colds each year and school-age children can have up to eight colds a year. Adults who come into contact with children tend to get more colds. This is because children usually carry more of the virus, for longer.

In the UK, you’re more likely to get a cold during the winter months although the reasons why aren’t fully understood at present.

Treatment of a cold

For most people, a cold will get better on its own within a week of the symptoms starting without any specific treatment. However, there are treatments that can help to ease your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. These are available from your pharmacy, which means that you can treat yourself, rather than needing to see your GP.

There is no cure for colds. Antibiotics, which treat infections caused by bacteria, don't work on cold viruses.

Self-help

There are a number of self-help measures that may help to ease the symptoms of a cold.

• Drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Steam inhalations with menthol, salt water nasal sprays or drops may be helpful.
• Vapour rubs may help relieve symptoms for children.
• Hot drinks (particularly with lemon), hot soups and spicy foods can help to ease irritation and pain in your throat.
• Sucking sweets or lozenges which contain menthol or eucalyptus may sooth your throat.
• Gargling with salt water may help a sore throat.

You should try to make sure you get enough rest if you have a cold. It’s not usually necessary to stay off work or school.

Colds & Flu
A factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention of colds & the flu

NHS - is it the common cold or the flu?
Colds and flu can share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat) but are caused by different viruses, and flu can be much more serious. Find out

Factsheet - Common Cold
Information about the diagnosis, treatment and symptoms of the common cold