The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines is being celebrated because vaccination saves lives and offers us a way out of the coronavirus crisis. Millions of people have already had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, but there are some who are worried about the safety of a jab that has been developed so quickly.
Here, four doctors, who are working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic, respond to some of the most popular questions about the Covid-19 vaccine.
Q: The vaccine was developed too quickly, how can I be sure it's safe?
Dr Koyes Ahmed, GP, Urgent Care Doctor and Vice Chair of the Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group: “The vaccines that are authorised have been through three stages of clinical trials and have been tested on tens of thousands of people around the world.
“The trial phases were organised to overlap, speeding up the overall time of vaccine production, but without cutting any corners on trialling the vaccine and ensuring it meets strict standards of safety and effectiveness.
“While the vaccines have been created quickly, they have been subjected to the same rigorous safety tests and processes as other medicines. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the independent regulatory body which approves all the medicines we use in the UK, has assessed the safety of each vaccine and continues to monitor them. Millions of people have received a Covid-19 vaccine.
“As a GP, I’ve witnessed the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on my community. It is important to remember that any side effects from the vaccine are minimal compared to the much higher risks of ending up in hospital, in intensive care or even dying from Covid.”
Q: Is the vaccine vegetarian and vegan?
Dr Annapoorna Sharma, MBBS FRCPCH Consultant Paediatrician with interest and experience in immunisation programme leading and teaching said: “The MHRA and manufacturers have confirmed that the Covid-19 Oxford AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines do not contain any components of animal origin. They’re suitable for vegetarians and vegans and those who want to avoid certain foods for religious or cultural reasons. Many religious leaders and organisations are encouraging their communities to take the vaccine. Temples, cathedrals, gurdwaras and mosques have become vaccination centres, and volunteers from many faith organisations are helping in the vaccine effort.
Q: Will the vaccine work with the new variants?
Dr Harpreet Sood, GP in London and Board member of Health Education England: “Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are safe and effective against the Covid-19 variants currently dominant in the UK. In terms of other variants, even if a vaccine demonstrates reduced effectiveness against other variants in preventing infection, there may still be protection against severe disease that can lead to hospitalisation and death. The continued rollout of the vaccine is therefore essential to save lives and to protect our NHS.”
Q: After having two doses of the vaccine, can I return back to normal and start mixing with family and friends?
Dr Chintal Patel, GP in Westminster, London: “Even after you’ve had the first and second dose, at the moment, the advice is that you should still follow the current government restrictions. We know that the vaccines will help reduce deaths and they will help stop people getting really unwell and being hospitalised. However, it is essential that everyone continues to follow Covid-19 restrictions whether they have had the vaccine or not. It's tough, but really important for now.
“This means it is important to:
- continue to follow social distancing guidance
- wear a face covering and remember hands, face, space
- cut down on your interactions with other people as this is how Covid spreads.”
