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12-17 COVID-19 Vaccines

12-17 COVID-19 Vaccines

The COVID Vaccine and Me

Information about the COVID-19 Vaccine for 12-17 year olds, to help you decide if the vaccine is for you.

If you are aged 12-17, you are now being offered the COVID-19 Vaccine.

But, how do you decide whether to have the vaccine or not?  And what do you need to think about? 

HOW MANY DOSES OF THE VACCINE WILL I HAVE?

All 12-17 year olds are now being offered at least 2 doses of the COVID vaccine.   Whether you have a third and/or a booster dose and the time between each dose depends on your age and the risk of COVID to you and the people you live with.  It is quite complicated, so find the description that best fits you below to work out how many doses you should have and when.

Healthy 12-15 Year Olds
If you are aged 12-15 and you are not severely immunosuppressed, you are now being offered 2 doses of the COVID vaccine.  A small number of 12-15 year olds are eligible for a booster dose.

Doses and Timing:

  • For most healthy 12-15 year olds,  your 2nd dose is due 12 weeks after your 1st dose
  • If you have a condition that increases your risk, or you live with someone who is immunosuppressed, your 2nd dose is due 8 weeks after your 1st dose
  • If you have a condition that increases your risk, or you live with someone who is immunosuppressed, you may also be offered a booster dose at least 3 months after your 2nd dose.

Healthy 16-17 Year Olds
If you are aged 16-17 and you are not severely immunosuppressed, you are being offered 2 doses and a booster.

Doses and Timing:

  • For most healthy 16-17 year olds, your 2nd dose is due 12 weeks after your 1st dose
  • If you have a condition that increases your risk, or you live with someone who is immunosuppressed, your 2nd dose is due 8 weeks after your 1st dose
  • All booster doses are given at least 3 months after the 2nd dose.

Severely Immunosuppressed 12-17 Year Olds
If you are aged 12-17 and are severely immunosuppressed you will be offered 3 doses and a booster.

Doses and Timing:

  • Your 2nd dose is due 8 weeks after your 1st dose
  • Your 3rd dose is due 8 weeks after your 2nd dose
  • Your booster is due 3 months after your 3rd dose
How do I decide if I should have the COVID Vaccine?

It is a very personal choice, and only you and your parents can decide if it is right for you (if you are 12-15 years old you will need permission from your parent or guardian to have the vaccine).

Here are some things that might help you make your decision:

  • Recommended by the experts – local and national doctors
  • Reduces the chance you will catch COVID-19
  • Help protect your family and friends, particularly any older family like grandparents
  • Reduces the risk of spending time in hospital with COVID-19
  • Help your schooling to return to normal
  • Potential side affects and feeling ill afterwards
  • Fear of needles
  • Worried about things you have read or heard

 

 

Read the rest of the information, think about it carefully, talk to your parents before making a choice.

Is the vaccine safe for people my age?

Millions of young people aged 12 and above have had the vaccine across the world, including in France, Germany, the USA and this country.

For young people aged 12-17, the Pfizer vaccine has been approved as safe for use and you are being offered it to try to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your education and schooling.

However, no vaccine is completely safe as there may be very rare side effects in a very small number of people.

I’m young and healthy. Why do I need to be vaccinated?

Getting a vaccine will help to keep the cases of COVID-19 down in schools.

The will mean that schools can return to a more normal routine, with fewer pupils needing to isolate and less disruption to your education.  This is so important that the Chief Medical Officer has decided that despite young people being at very little serious risk from COVID-19 itself, they should still be offered the vaccine.

GOOD NEWS! The vaccine is completely vegan and there is nothing in it that can affect your fertility.
WHAT IS COVID-19 ANYWAY?

COVID-19 is a very infectious virus that affects how people breath and how well their bodies use oxygen.  It causes coughs, high temperatures and many other symptoms.  In some people, it can be very serious and mean that they end up in hospital, and sometimes they die.  There is no cure for COVID-19, but we are getting better at treating people.  Whilst lots of children and young people catch COVID-19, very few of them get seriously ill.

Why is the COVID-19 vaccine important?

Getting your COVID-19 vaccination as soon as you can, should protect you and may help to protect your family and friends.  It is the biggest thing we can do to help us return to a more normal way of life – and keep it that way.

Research has shown the vaccines help to:

  • reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
  • reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19
  • protect against COVID-19 variants

 

 

 

 

People still get COVID after the vaccine, so how effective is it really?

2 doses of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccines reduces the risk of a person with COVID caused by the Delta variant needing hospital care by 90%. Although the vaccine is less effective against the Omicron variant it still provides a good level of protection and reduces the risk of hospitalisation and dying from COVID infection.

 

Which vaccine will I have?

You will be offered the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine because you are under 18 years old. This is because we have the most safety data for this COVID vaccine in people under 18 years old.

 

Will I feel ill afterwards?

You can’t catch COVID-19 from the vaccine.  The vaccine doesn’t have any COVID-19 in it.

Most people don’t suffer any side effects at all, but some people may feel a bit rubbish.  The most common side effects are:

  • A sore arm from the injection
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Aches, pains and feeling flu-ey
  • Feeling or being sick
  • High temperature

If you get any of these side effects, they should only last 1-2 days.

Heart inflammation

There have been very rare cases of inflammation of the heart reported after vaccination – usually after the second. Most people who had this recovered following rest and simple treatments.

If you get chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations following vaccination you should contact your GP or use 111, either by ringing them on 111 or going online to www.111.nhs.uk.  If your symptoms are very severe and it is an emergency, go to A&E or ring 999.

Blood clots

There is no information to suggest that the Pfizer vaccine causes blood clots.  All the information you have seen on the news, is in regards to a different COVID vaccine than the one you are getting.

How to prepare for your vaccine:
  • Eat before and after your vaccine
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Get a good night’s sleep
  • Wear a face mask when you go for your appointment
WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE COVID-19 WHEN I HAVE MY APPOINTMENT

If you have a COVID infection or are advised to self-isolate at the time of you appointment please cancel your appointment by emailing wigan.vaccinationhub@nhs.net or ringing 01942 807780.

For any COVID vaccine dose:

  • If you are in an at risk group or live with someone who is immunosuppressed you can re-book your appointment 4 weeks after the start of your COVID infection, or positive PCR test result if you did not have symptoms. If you were advised to self-isolate but did not catch COVID you can re-book as soon as you come out of self-isolation.
  • If you are not in an at risk group and do not live with someone who is immunosuppressed you need to wait until 12 weeks after the start of your COVID infection or positive PCR test result if you did not have symptoms before you are vaccinated.
  • If you were advised to self-isolate but did not catch COVID you can re-book as soon as you come out of self-isolation.

More information:

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