COVID-19 vaccine FAQs

 

Who is currently 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. Parents will receive information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated. Read more here.

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. 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. Parents will receive information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated. Read more here.

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 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 get their 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. Parents will receive information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated. Read more 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 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.

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. Parents will receive information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated. Read more 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.)