About the COVID-19 vaccine
About the COVID-19 vaccine
What is the coronavirus vaccine?
For information about vaccines and how they work, please see the vaccines page.
Who can have the coronavirus vaccine?
In England, anyone who is over 5 years old can have the coronavirus vaccine.
Children who were 5 years old on or before 31 August 2022 can also have the coronavirus vaccine.
If I want to have the coronavirus vaccine, what should I do?
If you want to have the coronavirus vaccine and have not yet had it, you can:
- book an appointment at a vaccination centre or a pharmacy by looking at the NHS website or by phoning 119
- find out where there are coronavirus vaccination walk-in centres on the NHS website.
You do not need an appointment to go to a walk-in centre.
You might also be able to book a coronavirus vaccine appointment by phoning your doctor's surgery.
Before you make your appointment, you might want to think about if you want to ask for any reasonable adjustments.
Reasonable adjustments are small changes that can help people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
be treated equally.
You can find out more about reasonable adjustments on the reasonable adjustments webpage.
How many injections will I need?
At first, everyone should have 2 doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
If your immune system was not working very well when you had your first 2 doses, you will need to have another dose.
Your immune system is how your body fights off infections, like a cold or the flu.
Some people will need to have a booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
A booster dose is an extra dose of a vaccine.
For more information about the coronavirus booster vaccine, go to the coronavirus booster webpage.
Should I have the vaccine if I have coronavirus or symptoms of coronavirus?
You should not have the coronavirus vaccine if you have coronavirus, or symptoms of coronavirus.
You should wait:
- 4 weeks if you are aged 18 or over
- 12 weeks if you are aged 5 to 17
- 4 weeks if you are aged 5 to 17 and are more likely to be very poorly if you have coronavirus
- 4 weeks if you are aged 5 to 17 and you live with someone who has a weak immune system.
Are there any other ways to have the coronavirus vaccine if you do not like injections?
No. You have to have an injection if you want to have the coronavirus vaccine.
Where can I get help to get the coronavirus vaccine?
If you need more help to get your coronavirus vaccine or booster, speak to your doctor or your local
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
learning disability team first.
If you would like some more help or advice, you can:
- call the Learning Disability Helpline Monday to Friday on 0808 808 1111
- email us at helpline@mencap.org.uk
