COVID-19 vaccination FAQs – Sefton

 

Below you will find some frequently asked questions that we are receiving in Sefton regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations.

You can also access COVID-19 vaccination information, updates and guides in different languages and formats here.

 

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COVID-19 vaccine FAQs

Who is currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?

Everyone aged over 12 is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

People aged 16 and over can get their vaccine at a walk-in site or by booking by phone or online:

Children aged 12 to 15

The school immunisation services is offering COVID-19 vaccinations in secondary schools. You can find out more about this on the Mersey Care website here. If you have any questions or need any support you can contact your local immunisation team at: 0151 247 6130.

12-15 year olds can now also get a first dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, or book using the national booking page here: uk/covid-vaccination. They can get a second dose if it's been 12 weeks since their first dose.

Children aged 12 to 15 who are at high risk from COVID-19 infection, or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, can get their second dose earlier, eight weeks after their first, and a further ‘booster’ dose from three months (91 days) after their second.

Children in this age group who have had a severely weakened immune system can get a third primary dose from eight weeks after their second dose, then receive a booster from three months (91 days) later. Visit www.nhs.uk/covid-booster for more information.

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 

Experts have advised that parents of all children aged 5 to 11 years should be offered the chance to have their child vaccinated.  Read more here.

Children in this age group are eligible for two doses of the vaccine.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website, click here.

Find guidance for eligible children and young people on the government website here.

When and how will I be contacted?

If you are aged 16 or over you no longer need to wait to be contacted in order to book your vaccination. If you are a Sefton resident and over 16 you can book an appointment now using the national booking service, by visiting the Aintree Hospital Hub or by calling 119 anytime between 7am-11pm, seven days a week. You can also use a local walk-in site - you can find the latest times and locations on the NHS website.

Children aged 12 to 15

The school immunisation services is offering COVID-19 vaccinations in secondary schools. You can find out more about this on the Mersey Care website here. If you have any questions or need any support you can contact your local immunisation team at: 0151 247 6130.

12-15 year olds can now also get a first dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, or book using the national booking page here: uk/covid-vaccination. 

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 

Experts have advised that parents of all children aged 5 to 11 years should be offered the chance to have their child vaccinated.  Read more here.

Children in this age group are eligible for two doses of the vaccine.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website, click here.

Find guidance for eligible children and young people on the government website here.

 

Where will I get the vaccine?

Several pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments in Sefton. These are based in Ainsdale, Bootle, Formby, Litherland, Seaforth, Southport and Waterloo. You can book these online through the national booking centre at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119 anytime between 7am -11pm, seven days a week (free of charge).

There is a hospital hub at Aintree, which you can book online here.

There are also a range of walk-in vaccination sites in Sefton – you can find the latest times and locations on the NHS website.

Appointments at other regional and national vaccination centres can also be booked at http://www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

Children aged 12 to 15

The school immunisation services is offering COVID-19 vaccinations in secondary schools. You can find out more about this on the Mersey Care website here. If you have any questions or need any support you can contact your local immunisation team at: 0151 247 6130.

12-15 year olds can now also get a first dose at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, or book using the national booking page here: uk/covid-vaccination. 

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 

Experts have advised that parents of all children aged 5 to 11 years should be offered the chance to have their child vaccinated.  Read more here.

Children in this age group are eligible for two doses of the vaccine.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website, click here.

Find guidance for eligible children and young people on the government website here.

 

I am eligible for a vaccination, but haven’t been invited to book?

If you are aged 16 or over, you no longer need to wait to be contacted in order to book your vaccination. If you are a Sefton resident and over 16 you can book an appointment now using the national booking service, by visiting the Aintree Hospital Hub or by calling 119 anytime between 7am-11pm, seven days a week. You can also use a local walk-in site - find the latest information on walk-in clinics for vaccinations in Sefton and beyond using the NHS website here.

The school immunisation services is now offering COVID-19 vaccinations in secondary schools for children aged 12-15. You can find out more about this on the Mersey Care website here. 12-15 year olds can now also now get the vaccine at a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, or book using the national booking page here: uk/covid-vaccination. 

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 

Experts have advised that parents of all children aged 5 to 11 years should be offered the chance to have their child vaccinated.  Read more here.

Children in this age group are eligible for two doses of the vaccine.

The majority of vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds will take place at local vaccination centres or community pharmacies outside of school hours and are available to book through the online booking service or by calling 119.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine on the NHS website, click here.

Find guidance for eligible children and young people on the government website here.

 

Why are some people getting third primary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Some people are eligible for a third primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because they are immunosuppressed, either because of an underlying health condition or a long-term chronic condition where medication affects their immunity. This third primary dose is different from a booster as set out above.

Clinicians are identifying patients who may need a third dose because they are immunosuppressed. Many people will also have received a direct letter from the NHS advising that they may be eligible, which they can use to discuss options with their GP or consultant if they have not done so already.

Patients who have not yet been contacted but think they are eligible should speak to their consultant or GP.

 

I’m not registered with a GP – how do I get my vaccine?

You do not have to be registered with a GP surgery to book your COVID-19 vaccination. You can either use a local walk-in site or book your vaccination by phone or online:

It is preferable for you to be registered with a GP surgery, as this means you will automatically receive a call or a letter for you to book your vaccination when you become eligible. Anyone in England can register with a GP surgery and you do not need proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.

You can find some useful information on how to register with a GP practice here.

 

What is the gap between first and second doses?

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is currently recommending an interval of 8 weeks between doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

 

I have recently had COVID-19. Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you've had a positive COVID-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You can find details on how long you need to wait depending on your age range on the NHS website.

 

I had my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, should I have it again for my second dose?

The current advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is:

Those who have received their first dose of AZ vaccine without suffering any serious side effects should continue to be offered the second dose to complete the course. This includes individuals who are aged 39 years or younger.

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. The AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine causes far fewer side effects after the second dose. Find out more on the government website here.

 

Why are the sites not closer to where I live?

There are strict medical and logistical criteria about which premises are suitable to become vaccination sites to keep you and our staff as safe as possible. In addition, there are restrictions on where the vaccination can be delivered along with how it needs to be stored. This is why the vaccine might not be being delivered in your own GP practice or nearer to where you live. If booking via the national booking service, or searching for a walk-in vaccination site, you can choose the site most convenient for you.

 

I can’t get to my vaccination centre – how will you help me?

People who are housebound will be contacted by their GP practice about alternative ways to get vaccinated. The NHS will follow up with people that haven’t booked their appointment, as a reminder.

 

When I do get my appointment, should I get there early?

Please don’t come early, we are asking people to come as close to their appointment time as possible. This is to ensure that we don’t have too many people in the waiting area at one time and that we keep you all safe adhering to social distancing guidelines.

 

What are the vaccines I might be vaccinated with?

There are three vaccines currently available, they are Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca and the Moderna vaccine. All vaccines have been shown to be safe and offer high levels of protection and have been given regulatory approval by the MHRA.

Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines, but some people are only offered certain vaccines. For example:

  • if you're pregnant or under 40 you'll usually be offered appointments for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines
  • if you're under 18, you'll only be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine

You can read more about this on the NHS website here.

 

Are all the vaccine safe?

The NHS will not offer any COVID-19 vaccinations to the public until independent experts have signed off that it is safe to do so.  

The MHRA, the official UK regulator, has said the vaccines it has approved so far have good safety profiles and offer a high level of protection, and we have full confidence in their expert judgement and processes.

As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and there is continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.

 

I am Muslim, can I take the vaccine?

British Islamic Medical Council statement on COVID-19 vaccine

The British Islamic Medical Council has made a statement recommending that the Muslim community take the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccination when offered. There is no content of animal origin (i.e. no gelatine) in the vaccination. Click here to read the full statement.

 

Can I choose which vaccine to have?

You cannot choose which COVID-19 vaccine you are given unless there is a clear medical reason for doing so – such as a history of allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. If this is the case, please discuss this with health professional to ensure you get a suitable vaccine.

Any vaccines that the NHS will provide will have been approved because they pass the MHRA’s tests on safety and efficacy, so people should be assured that whatever vaccine they get, it is worth their while.

It is recommended that you have two doses of the same vaccine, as per official guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Although you can’t choose which vaccine you are given JCVI has advised that it is preferable for people under 40 with no underlying health conditions to be given the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.

If you're under 18, you'll only be offered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

You can read more about this on the NHS website here.

 

I’m a bit worried about scams I’m hearing about, can you tell me how to avoid these?

There are some SMS / text message and email SCAMS taking place related to COVID-19 and more information and example of how these may look can be found here. Please be careful if you do receive a text message, don’t click on a link until you are sure that this is not a scam. Be careful with anything that relates to:

  • A URL link claiming to link to GOV.UK to claim supposed COVID-19 related payments
  • Lockdown fines suggesting you have breached lockdown
  • Offers of health supplements that will prevent you becoming infected
  • Financial support offers that appear to be from your bank

If you are worried that any text message is a scam please don’t respond, report the SMS Scam to Action Fraud by forwarding the message to 7726.

 

Avoiding fraud

To protect yourself and your family members from fraud, please remember the following points:

  • The NHS will never ask for bank details, PIN numbers or passwords when contacting you about a vaccination. You will never be charged for the vaccine.
  • Any communication which claims to be from the NHS but asks for payment, or bank details, is fraudulent and can be ignored. If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.
  • If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
  • Where a victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the Police either online or by calling 101.

For more information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, please visit the NHS website.

Click here to watch informative videos about COVID-19 vaccine scams in five South Asian languages (Urdu, Punjabi, Sylheti, Tamil and Gujarati.)

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COVID-19 booster FAQs

What is the COVID-19 booster programme?

The COVID-19 booster programme is the rollout of an additional vaccine dose to people who have previously received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to ensure continued protection for those most at risk from COVID-19.

 

How effective are the NHS vaccines against the Omicron variant?

The vaccines offered by the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Deployment Programme have been shown to substantially increase antibody levels when offered as a booster dose.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe. JCVI will continue to review its recommendations and consider further evidence to ensure that health benefits are maximised alongside the rapidly evolving data on the Omicron variant.

Following the uncertainty about the Omicron variant, it is more important than ever to take up the offer of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself and others, as well as reducing the risk of overwhelming the NHS at what is already a busy time of year.

 

Who is eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine?

You can check who is currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine on the NHS website here.

 

What is the spring booster programme?

People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those with weakened immune systems will be offered a spring booster of COVID-19 vaccine. Read more here.

 

I am severely immunosuppressed. When will I get my booster?

JCVI have advised that individuals who are severely immunosuppressed get an additional third dose of vaccine as part of their primary course of immunisation. This offer is separate to the booster programme. More information is available here: JCVI issues advice on third dose vaccination for severely immunosuppressed - GOV.UK

 

Is there anyone that shouldn’t have the booster vaccine?

There are very few people in the eligible groups who should not have a booster. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor. Check who is currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine on the NHS website here.

 

If I’m eligible when and where can I get my vaccination?

The JCVI advises that the booster vaccine dose should be offered no earlier than three months after having the second dose of the vaccination. Like your previous doses, the vaccine will be given in your upper arm.

People will be offered the vaccine through a range of services.

Eligible people can:

Check who is currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine on the NHS website here.

Primary care teams will vaccinate care home staff and residents. Health and social care staff will be directed to book their appointments through employers.

 

What type of vaccine will the COVID-19 booster be? What if it’s different to the one I have had?

After reviewing data on booster responses from different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines, JCVI advises a preference for the Pfizer-BioNTech (vaccine to be offered as the booster dose irrespective of which type of vaccine was used in the primary schedule). There is good evidence that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is well tolerated as a booster dose and will provide a strong booster response.

Alternatively, individuals may be offered a half dose of the Moderna vaccine, which should be well tolerated and is also likely to provide a strong booster response. A half dose of Moderna vaccine is advised over a full dose due to the levels of reactogenicity (side effects) seen following boosting with a full dose in clinical trials.

Where mRNA vaccines cannot be offered e.g. due to contraindication, vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine may be considered for those who received AstraZeneca vaccine in the primary course. More detail is available in the green book.

 

Will there be any side effects from the booster vaccine?

As with your previous dose the common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK, and 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

You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for 2 to 3 days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection.

Although a fever can occur within a day or 2 of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and arrange to have a test. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111.

If you had serious side effects after any previous dose you may be advised to avoid or delay further vaccination. You should discuss this with your doctor or specialist.

 

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective – some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

 

I have recently had COVID-19. Can I get the booster?

If you've had a positive COVID-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You can find details on how long you need to wait depending on your age range on the NHS website.

 

Can I have the booster if I haven’t completed the first vaccination course?

No, you need to finish the first course of your vaccination. All sites offering COVID-19 booster vaccines will also offer first and second doses.

 

Can I get the flu and COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same time?

The COVID-19 booster and the flu vaccine can be given on the same day and for people that are eligible for both, there may be opportunities to have both together. We would encourage you to get your vaccinations as soon as possible and get fully protected rather than waiting as it may not always be possible to get them together.

 

I haven’t yet had the COVID-19 vaccination, can I still get my first jabs?

Everyone that is eligible that hasn’t already had their first or second COVID-19 vaccination will still be able to get vaccinated. This may be through a GP-led service or by booking through the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination national booking service.

 

Will people who have already had their booster jab now need to receive a further booster after three months?

The JCVI has not yet made a recommendation on this.

 

Can I get the booster if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant and in one of the groups that the JCVI has recommended for the boosters, you are eligible to receive a booster, no earlier than six months after completion of the first course of vaccination. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn.

 

Does the NHS have enough vaccine supply to deliver these extra jabs?

The NHS has sufficient vaccine supply to meet demand and is working to make sure that all vaccination sites have the supply they need to deliver vaccines to the increased numbers of eligible people.

 

Will more staff be needed to deliver these extra jabs?

We are asking all vaccination services to continue to do everything they can to ensure maximum uptake and rollout of the vaccination programme. This includes longer opening hours, transport support, roving and street teams, to ensure that people are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.

 

How will the NHS manage this extra volume of activity heading into winter? What will change to release the capacity needed?

The NHS is scaling up sites already vaccinating, and working with local communities and partner organisations to maximise our workforce. More sites and booking appointments are becoming available every day.

Hospital hubs will continue to offer the vaccine to their own staff and will extend to primary care and social care workers as well as patients, especially those who are immunosuppressed. We are also encouraging more community pharmacies and primary care sites to increase capacity at a local level.

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COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy FAQs

I am pregnant and plan to breastfeed, should I get the vaccine?

COVID vaccination in pregnancy is considered safe and is recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians, Royal College of Midwives and the UK Tetralogy Service.

It's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and have not caused any safety issues.

You can also have the COVID-19 vaccine if you're breastfeeding. Speak to a healthcare professional before you have the vaccination. They will discuss the benefits and risks with you.

The vaccine cannot give you or your baby COVID-19.

Read the latest COVID-19 vaccine advice if you're pregnant, may get pregnant or are breastfeeding on GOV.UK

Two experts from Liverpool Women’s Hospital have also put the following short video together to provide some reassurance on issues relating to fertility and pregnancy. You can hear from Alice Bird (Consultant Obstetrician) and Andrew Drakeley (Consultant Gynaecologist and Clinical Director for the Hewitt Fertility Centre) in a short 3 minute video here.

Dr Alice Bird, a Consultant Obstetrician at Liverpool Women’s, talks about the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy in this short video.

 

Does the vaccine affect my fertility?

There's no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine has any effect on your chances of becoming pregnant. There's no need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.

Advice for women trying to become pregnant can be found on the GOV.UK website here.

If you are concerned about the impact of the vaccine on fertility, please click here to see the latest advice from the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

For advice to people currently undergoing or considering fertility treatment please see the following advice from the local Hewitt Fertility Centre here.

You can see a short video that provide some reassurance on issues relating to fertility and pregnancy from two experts from Liverpool Women’s Hospital - Alice Bird (Consultant Obstetrician) and Andrew Drakeley (Consultant Gynaecologist and Clinical Director for the Hewitt Fertility Centre) - here.

Click here for government guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

I’m pregnant, how can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

You can book yourself an appointment through the National Booking Service, or you can attend a walk-in session at a vaccination centre without an appointment if you prefer.

 

Can I get the booster if I am pregnant?

If you are pregnant and in one of the groups that the JCVI has recommended for the boosters, you are eligible to receive a booster, no earlier than six months after completion of the first course of vaccination. The NHS will contact you when it is your turn.

Is COVID-19 disease serious in pregnancy?

Although the overall risk from Covid-19 disease in pregnant women and their new babies is low, in later pregnancy some women may become seriously unwell and need hospital treatment.

Pregnant women with Covid-19 have a higher risk of intensive care admission than women of the same age who are not pregnant. Women with Covid-19 are also two to three times more likely to have their babies early than women who do not have the illness.

Recent data showed that pregnant women who have underlying clinical conditions, have a BMI over 20, are from a black or minority ethnic background and are over 35 have an even higher risk of suffering serious complications from Covid-19.


Which vaccines are available to pregnant women?

Pregnant women are being offered the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, because they’ve been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries.

There have been over 90,000 Covid-19 vaccinations in pregnancy in England and Scotland, and a further 160,000 in the US, with no specific concerns raised about safety so far and no subsequent harm to the baby.

None of the vaccines available in England contain live coronavirus, so they cannot infect you or your baby.

There is no evidence so far to suggest that any Covid-19 vaccines used in England are unsafe for pregnant women, and there is no evidence that they will cause any problems for women wanting to become pregnant in the future.


I’m pregnant and have already had my first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. Should I have my second dose?

It is recommended that women receive the same vaccine for both doses.

If you have already received a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine and didn’t experience any serious side effects, then you should continue to receive a second dose. Serious side effects from this vaccine are thankfully very rare and even less likely in the second dose.

 

I’m breastfeeding, can I have the vaccine?

If you are breastfeeding, you can receive any of the Covid-19 vaccines available. You do not need to stop breastfeeding when you get the vaccine. None of the vaccines contain virus that can reproduce inside your body or spread to your breastmilk. You should be reassured that by receiving the vaccine, you are protecting yourself while continuing to provide your baby with the benefits of breastfeeding.


Will the vaccine give me or my baby COVID-19?

You cannot get Covid-19 from the vaccines because they do not contain live coronavirus. There are no additional ingredients that are harmful to pregnant women or their babies in the vaccine.

 

Can I try for a baby after being vaccinated?

If you are trying to conceive, this should not affect your decision about vaccination.

There is no evidence that the vaccines cause problems with fertility, or that they will cause any problems for women wanting to become pregnant now or in the future.


Where can I find more information?

For more information, the UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England) has produced a helpful guide to Covid-19 vaccination for all women of childbearing age. This is available on their website.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Royal College of Midwives have also produced information to help you make an informed choice about getting vaccinated.