Updated: 22 December 2021
Contents
― What is COVID-19 or Coronavirus?
― Eligibility for the vaccination
― How good is the protection from the first dose?
― What are the benefits of a second dose?
― What vaccine will I be offered for both doses?
― Are there any reasons you should not get the vaccine?
― When should I have the vaccine if I have had COVID-19 infection?
― Can COVID-19 vaccines be given at the same time as other vaccines?
― Common side effects from the Pfizer vaccine
― Less common side effects
― When can I have the second dose?
― What do I need to do?
― Consent
― Can you catch COVID-19 from the vaccine?
― If you are not well when your appointment is due
― How COVID-19 is spread
― More information
COVID-19 is a very infectious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Very few children and young people with COVID-19 infection go on to have severe disease. There is no cure for COVID-19 but some newly tested treatments do help to reduce the risk of complications.
You may have recently had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have recommended that young people aged 16-17 years who are not at greater risk of serious illness if they catch COVID-19 should now receive 2 doses of vaccine with an interval of at least 12 weeks between doses. This interval may be reduced to eight weeks in healthy under 18 year olds during periods of high incidence or where there is concern about vaccine effectiveness (e.g. a new variant).
Some young people aged 16 to 17 who are at greater risk of serious illness if they catch COVID-19 will already have been offered 2 doses of vaccine at an interval of at least 8 weeks between doses.
A link to the full list of those groups who are at greater risk of serious illness is available in the More information section of this leaflet.
Studies suggest that even after 1 dose of vaccine your risk of serious complications from COVID-19 infection are greatly reduced. This protection is expected to last for a few months in young people.
People who have had previous COVID-19 infection who then get 1 dose of the vaccine, and those who get infected after the first dose, make a good immune response –at least as good as people who have had 2 doses. This suggests that young people who get both infection and vaccine will have high levels of protection.
A second dose helps to improve protection in the longer term. Further studies will help us to know how long protection will last.
Currently the preferred vaccine for children and young people is the Pfizer vaccine. This is what you will be offered.
There are very few young people who cannot get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine should not be given to:
People who have had a confirmed anaphylactic reaction to any of the ingredients of the vaccine
People with a history of serious allergic reaction to food, an identified drug or vaccine, or an insect sting can get the COVID-19 vaccine, as long as they are not known to be allergic to any component of the vaccine. It is important that you tell the person giving you your vaccine if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
You should:
wait at least 12 weeks following COVID-19 infection before getting your vaccine if you are not in a group that is at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19. During periods of high incidence or where there is concern about vaccine effectiveness (e.g. a new variant) this may be reduced to 8 weeks; or
Yes, COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as most other vaccines. For the latest advice on COVID-19 vaccines and co-administration please visit: phw.nhs.wales/covidvaccine
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short term, and not everyone gets them. With the vaccine we use in under-18s, side effects are more common with the second dose.
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. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week.
If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you or your parents or carer can look at: 111.wales.nhs.uk, and if necessary call NHS 111 Wales on 111 or your GP surgery. If 111 is not available in your area, call 0845 46 47. Calls to 111 are free from landlines and mobiles. Calls to 0845 46 47 cost 2p per minute plus your telephone provider’s usual access charge.
Recently, cases of inflammation of the heart (called myocarditis or pericarditis) have been reported very rarely in the first week after the COVID-19 vaccines. Most of these cases have been in younger men and are more common after the second vaccination.
Most people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.
Amongst those who get severe side effects, there may be an even smaller number in whom there are some longer-term effects. Longer-term studies are underway.
If you had myocarditis or pericarditis after the first dose, you should seek medical advice before having a second dose of the vaccine.
You or your parents and carers can report suspected side effects to vaccines and medicines online through the Yellow Card scheme. The Coronavirus Yellow Card system is a website where you can report any side effects from the vaccine.
You may need support to access this website: coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
Whatever you decide now, you will be eligible for a second dose as soon as you become 18 years of age.
But you can have it any time before then, providing you have a 12 week gap between the first and second dose.
Having a 12 week gap may extend the length of time your protection will last after the second dose. This longer gap may also reduce the likelihood of experiencing some of the more serious but rare side effects, like myocarditis, from the vaccine.
This precautionary advice comes from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The JCVI also suggests that if you have had COVID-19 infection as well as the first dose of vaccine, you are likely to already have high levels of protection, and may therefore choose to wait longer before having the second dose.
There may be reasons for you deciding to have the second dose even sooner, after 8 weeks. These reasons include:
if you are considered to be ‘at risk’ and have not yet had your second dose
if you live with someone who is considered ‘at risk’ and you want to help protect them
If you are still unsure, you can discuss your decision with a doctor, or nurse.
You and your parents, or carer, should discuss the information in this leaflet before the vaccination, however young people can consent or agree to vaccination if they understand what is involved.
You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine but it is possible to have caught COVID-19 and not have the symptoms until after your vaccination appointment. The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of any of the following:
If you have the symptoms above, stay at home and arrange to have a test by phoning 119 (calls are free) or online at: gov.wales/get-tested-coronavirus-covid-19
You should not attend a vaccine appointment if you are self-isolating or waiting for a COVID-19 test or result.
COVID-19 is spread through droplets breathed out from the nose or mouth, particularly when speaking or coughing. It can also be picked up by touching your eyes, nose and mouth after contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
You MUST still follow any national or local restrictions and:
You can find out more information about COVID-19 vaccines, including their contents and possible side effects at: coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/productinformation
You can report suspected side effects online at: coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or by downloading the Yellow Card app.
For more information on the list of conditions go to: phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/eligibility-for-the-vaccine.
To find out how the NHS uses your information, visit: 111.wales.nhs.uk/AboutUs/Yourinformation
For other formats of this leaflet visit: publichealthwales.org/HealthInformationResources