URGENT MESSAGE: AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccination: Posted or Updated on 15 Feb 2022

The UK vaccination programme has been very successful with more than 30 million people vaccinated and more than 6,000 lives already saved.

The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety.

So far, millions of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions or clotting problems, have been very rare. You can find out more about this rare issue and advice for different age groups here: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/CovidVaccination/faqs/astrazeneca-vaccination

The NHS has made the decision – which at this stage is precautionary - to offer an alternative vaccine for those under 30 years old for FIRST DOSES only.  

It must be stressed that this is purely precautionary – as the risks are extremely low. Those booked for first doses will be cancelled and encouraged to rebook via their GP for an alternative vaccine.

Getting your second dose

If you have already had a first dose of AZ vaccine you will be offered a second dose of the AZ vaccine. An alternative vaccine will not be offered for your second dose.

Guidance is clear that if you have already had a first dose of AZ vaccine without suffering any serious side effects you that you should complete the course by getting your second dose.

This includes people aged 18 to 29 years who are health and social care workers, unpaid carers and family members of those who are immunosuppressed.

It is expected that the first dose of the vaccine will have given you some protection, particularly against severe disease.  If booked for your second dose, please keep your appointment, during which any concerns can be discussed.

For those with cancelled first doses, we will capture details and make contact when the alternative vaccines are available.