Flu cases are rising and it has never been more important to get protected. Join our team on 13 and 14 January in the Glades Shopping Centre to find out more and get your vaccine at the One Bromley Health Hub.
11 Jan 2023
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and give you the best protection against coronavirus. Getting fully vaccinated is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities against coronavirus.
Our FAQs provide you with the answers to our most frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccination. You can also find information on www.nhsselvax.com.
You can find the latest information about eligibility and booking your vaccination at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
Links to information about the COVID-19 booster in other languages is below.
Where can I find the latest information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing and vaccination?
Where can I get information about the COVID-19 booster in other languages and formats?
An information leaflet about the autumn COVID-19 booster has been translated into the languages below and are available to download by clicking on the language or format name:
Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), English, Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish and Yoruba.
An English large print version is available to order.
A Braille version of this leaflet is available to order.
British Sign Language (BSL) videos on COVID-19 vaccination are available to view or download.
An audio version is available to download.
I've had coronavirus. Do I still need the vaccine?
Yes. If you have had COVID-19 then your body may have built up some natural immunity to the virus, however we don’t know how long this immunity lasts or if it fully protects you from catching COVID-19 again. It is likely that natural immunity won’t last as long as the immunity given to you by a vaccine. So, it is still very important to take up the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine.
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, you need to wait (from the day you tested positive) before getting any 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 high-risk from COVID-19 need to wait 12 weeks.
Can you catch COVID-19 by having the vaccine?
No. You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccines but it is possible to have caught COVID-19 and not realise you have the symptoms until after your vaccination appointment.
It is important to note that you still might be able to carry the virus and transmit it to others after having your vaccine so please continue to follow the latest social distancing guidelines.
Who can get the vaccine and when?
How can I get my COVID-19 vaccine?
Find the latest information booking your vaccine at nhs.uk.
For local walk-in vaccination sites, see our south east London listings.
What vaccination can 5-15 year olds get?
Read about vaccination for 5-15 year olds at nhs.uk
For local walk-in vaccination sites, see our south east London listings.
Who is eligible for a booster jab? What about seasonal boosters?
Which vaccine will I get?
What are the vaccine ingredients? Does the vaccine include any parts from a foetus or animal?
No. There is no foetal or animal material, in any of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in the UK. The COVID-19 vaccine is 100% halal and does not contain any animal products. All ingredients are published in healthcare information on the MHRA’s website.
What can I do if I'm scared of needles?
NHS vaccination teams are on hand to help nervous patients get their jabs, so make sure you let them know about any worries you have on arrival. Needle phobia affects at least 1 in 10 people and is nothing to be ashamed of. Luckily, simple exercises such as breathing techniques and practice can help to overcome it.
Is the NHS confident the vaccines are safe?
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
Any COVID-19 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. Millions of people have been given a Covid-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects have been very rare.
Information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility
It’s strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can I speak to someone about the vaccine?
“Let’s talk about the vaccine” – call our free, confidential helpline
Are you still unsure about the Covid vaccine? Why not call our Covid vaccination helpline?
The helpline offers a free, confidential call with a healthcare professional who can answer any questions you have about Covid vaccination for all age groups from 5 upwards. A local pharmacist will listen to any concerns you may have and answer your questions, giving you the latest information on the vaccine. This is not a vaccine booking service, but you can get support with booking a vaccination. The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm.
Book your free call back or call 07828 499044.
How can I support the COVID-19 vaccination programme in my community?
Share facts about the vaccine
If you share information about the vaccine, make sure it’s from trusted and verified sources, like NHS.UK or GOV.UK
Follow us on social media
Amplify our messages on social media, by following our social media channels.
Act as a Vaccine Ambassador
Encourage colleagues, friends and family to get vaccinated if they haven’t already.
Join the NHS as a volunteer
Google Search ‘NHS COVID-19 vaccination volunteer’ for more information on how you can support the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Latest news about COVID-19
Your questions about COVID-19 and flu answered
We interviewed Jo Peck, Site Director of Nursing at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, and asked her some of the questions you might have about COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations.
03 Jan 2023
Over 50s can now book for Covid booster and flu jabs
People aged 50 and over can now get their vital free COVID-19 autumn booster and flu jabs after the NHS opened bookings on the National Booking Service.
More than seven million people have already had an autumn top-up. With covid infections and hospitalisations rising in recent weeks, the NHS is inviting anyone eligible to come forward as soon as possible.
17 Oct 2022
