If you are aged between 12 and 15 years old, you can be vaccinated against COVID-19. The UK’s Chief Medical Officers agree that one dose of the vaccine will provide good protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. The vaccination will be delivered by the same team that gives you other vaccinations and they are very experienced.
Protection from the vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. It may take a few weeks for your body to build up some protection from the vaccine. You should get good protection from the first 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. It is likely to help reduce the chance of missing school, social or sporting events. Further information is available on symptoms on NHS.UK.
About the vaccination
The vaccination is safe and given very quickly.
You will need to sit down for 15 minutes afterwards, just in case you feel unwell. Most people will feel fine.
There are no animal products in the vaccine.
Consent
You will probably want to share information about the vaccine with your parents and discuss it together. Your parents will receive information and an electronic consent form via your school. If your parents don’t give consent but you still want to have the vaccine, then a healthcare professional will speak to you about this. Some people aged between 12 and 15 are considered able to give consent for their owen medical procedures – this includes vaccinations. If you have missed this opportunity to have your vaccine at school, then you can call us on the following number : 01244 397470 to book an appointment at one of our community clinics.
Side Effects
Common side effects
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.
Very common side effects include:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around one to two days after the vaccination
- 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 two to three 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 can call NHS 111.
Less common side effects
Recently, cases of inflammation of the heart (called myocarditis or pericarditis) have been reported very rarely after COVID-19 vaccines.
Most of these cases have been in younger men and usually a few days after the second vaccination. Most people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.
You should seek medical advice urgently if you experience:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart
If you or your parents or carers do seek advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them the vaccination card, if possible) so that they can assess you properly.
You or your parents and carers can also report suspected side effects to vaccines and medicines online through the coronavirus Yellow Card scheme.
Can you catch COVID-19 from the vaccine?
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:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell If you have the symptoms above, stay at home and arrange to have a test
Useful resources:
A Guide for Children and Young People - pdf
Easy-read Children’s COVID-19 Vacinnation Leaflet - pdf
What to Expect After Your COVID-19 Vaccine - pdf
Useful links: