Updates on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in West Sussex

Sussex Health and Care Partnership have published a page with helpful translated information around COVID-19 and the vaccination programme.

Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 vaccine

Here are some FAQs to help you get the information you need to know about the biggest vaccination programme in history. 

Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Everyone aged 5 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

People aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15, can also get a booster dose.

People aged 5 and over who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, will be offered a 3rd dose before any booster doses.

Find out how to get a COVID-19 vaccine

How long between my first and second dose of the vaccine?

People aged 18 and over, and children and young people aged 5 to 17 at high risk from COVID-19, need to wait 4 weeks.

Children and young people aged 5 to 17 who are not at high risk from COVID-19 need to wait 12 weeks.

Read more

How do I book my second dose of the vaccine?

If you're aged 18 or over, you should have your 2nd dose from 8 weeks after your 1st dose.

Most young people aged 16 and 17 should have their 2nd dose from 12 weeks after their 1st dose.

• If you book online, you'll be asked to book appointments for both doses. You can manage your COVID-19 vaccination appointments to view your appointments and rebook if you need to.
• If you had your 1st dose at a walk-in vaccination site, you can book your 2nd COVID-19 vaccination appointment online. You'll need to wait 24 hours after your 1st dose before you can book.
• If you had your 1st dose through a local NHS service such as your GP surgery, you'll be contacted when it's time to book your 2nd dose.

Will I be offered a booster dose?

There are 3 booster doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine you may be able to get:

• a booster for everyone aged 16 and over, and some children aged 12 to 15
• a spring booster for people who turned 75 years on or before 30 June 2022, people who live in a care home for older people or people aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system

• People aged 50 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, those aged 5 years and over in a clinical risk group and health and social care staff will be offered a booster of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine this autumn. Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly.

If you have not had a booster dose yet, you're still eligible and can book anytime.

More information on the booster dose

Will I be offered a third dose?

A 3rd dose and booster dose (4th dose) of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses.

If you're eligible, a GP or your hospital specialist should contact you to let you know you can get a 3rd dose.

You may also get a letter from the NHS advising that you may be eligible and to discuss this with your doctor.

Your doctor will discuss with you how you can get your vaccine.

You'll usually get vaccinated at your local hospital or a local NHS service such as a GP surgery.

Are there any side effects?

The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

They can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.

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

• a sore arm from the injection
• feeling tired
• a headache
• feeling achy
• feeling or being sick

More serious side effects, such as allergic reactions or blood clotting, are very rare.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety

I'm pregnant, can I still get the vaccine?

If you're pregnant, it's important to get vaccinated to protect you and your baby.

You're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you're pregnant. If you get COVID-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk.

If you have not had a COVID-19 vaccine yet, it's recommended to get your first 2 doses as soon as possible. You do not need to delay vaccination until after you have given birth.

It's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is because these vaccines have been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and no safety concerns have been identified.

More information on the vaccine and pregnancy

Do I have to have the COVID-19 vaccine even though I've already had COVID-19?

An effective vaccine is the best way to protect people from COVID-19, reduce hospitalisations and save lives. Vaccines are the only way to eradicate disease. 

People that have already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated. It is still just as important for those who have already had COVID-19 as it is for those who haven’t.  

Is the COVID-19 vaccine compulsory?

There are no plans to make the COVID-19 vaccine compulsory for the general population. Following consultation earlier this year, from 11 November 2021 people who work in care homes – both staff and volunteers – will need to be fully vaccinated. There are some exemptions and the requirement to be fully vaccinated will not extend to people who are visiting friends and families.

Do I need to self-isolate if I'm fully vaccinated?

While you’re no longer required by law to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should still stay at home and avoid contact with other people. This helps reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others.

How do I prove my vaccine status?

An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status.

You may be asked to show your NHS COVID Pass:

• to travel abroad
• at events and venues asking for proof of your COVID-19 status in England, Wales or the Isle of Man

You can get an NHS COVID Pass digitally through the NHS App or the online NHS COVID Pass service. 

You can download your digital NHS COVID Pass and print it.

If you cannot apply digitally using the NHS App or online service, you can ask for an NHS COVID Pass letter to be sent to you by post. You can also apply on behalf of someone else.

Get a digital NHS COVID Pass

The NHS App and/or the NHS COVID pass doesn't accurately reflect my vaccination record, what do I do? 

If you had your vaccination in the UK or the Isle of Man, it will automatically show on your NHS vaccination record within 5 days.

If you live in England and had your vaccination abroad you can ask to have this added to your NHS vaccination record. Once it's added you can get an NHS COVID Pass.

Tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had abroad

What does a vaccine do?

Vaccines teach your immune system how to create antibodies that protect you from diseases. It's much safer for your immune system to learn this through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Once a vaccine has trained your immune system to know how to fight a disease, it can often protect you for many years. 

Are vaccines safe?

Vaccines are now safer than ever before. Any vaccine must first go through the usual rigorous testing and development process and be shown to strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness before it can be deployed.

How do I feedback or complain about the NHS COVID-19 vaccine service?

If you are unhappy with the service you have received, it is important to let the NHS know. To provide feedback, raise a concern or make a complaint, please email england.contactus@nhs.net

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

• You must wear a face mask (unless you are exempt)
• Your booking reference numbers if your appointment is at a vaccination centre
• If you need a carer, you can bring them with you on the day.

What do I need to wear? The vaccine will be given as an injection in the upper arm. It'll only take a few minutes to get the coronavirus vaccine. Make sure you wear a top/jumper that has loose arms that you can pull up, or take off.