Members of The Peace Party – Non-violence, Justice, Environment have produced the following simplified summary of the UK Government’s information document on the second of the vaccines used to combat the terrible Coronavirus afflicting the whole world.

This summary is intended for all members of the Community.

The full document may be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca/information-for-uk-recipients-on-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca

Information for the recipient

This vaccine has been given authorisation for temporary supply by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Read all of this information carefully before the vaccine is given because it contains important information for you.

Keep this information. You may need to read it again.  If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

1. What this Vaccine is and what it is used for

This vaccine is used to protect people aged 18 years and older against COVID-19.

The vaccine stimulates the body’s natural defence system. It causes the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus. This will help to protect you against COVID-19 in the future. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19.

2. What you need to know before you receive COVID-19 Vaccine

This vaccine should not be accepted if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any of the active ingredients in it. (If you need to know about these go to the link given above.)

Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue.

Contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have an allergic reaction. It can be life-threatening.

Warnings and precautions

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before vaccination:

• If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any other vaccine injection;
• If you currently have a severe infection with a high temperature (over 38°C).
• However, a mild fever or infection, like a cold, are not reasons to delay vaccination;
• If you have a problem with bleeding or bruising, or if you are taking a blood thinning medicine (anticoagulant);
• If your immune system does not work properly (immunodeficiency) or you are taking medicines that weaken the immune system (such as high-dose corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or cancer medicines);
• if you are taking, have recently taken or might take, any other medicines or vaccines;
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby.

As with any vaccine, this one may not protect everyone who is vaccinated against COVID-19. It is not yet known how long people who receive the vaccine will be protected for.

Driving and using machines

This vaccine has no known effect on the ability to drive and use machines. If you feel unwell, do not drive or use machines.

3. How the Vaccine is given

It is given as an injection into a muscle (usually in the upper arm).

You will receive 2 injections. You will be told when you need to return for your second injection of this particular Vaccine.  The second injection can be given between 4 and 12 weeks after the first one.  No other vaccine against COVID 19 should be given for the second injection.  It is important that you return for this second one.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this vaccine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Most side effects are mild to moderate in nature and resolved within a few days with some still present a week after vaccination.  If side effects, such as pain and/or fever are troublesome, medicines containing paracetamol can be taken.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. See the link above if you believe you may be suffering side effects.  By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this vaccine.

Manufacturer: MedImmune UK Ltd, 6 Renaissance Way, Liverpool, L24 9JW and MedImmune Pharma B.V., Nijmegen Lagelandseweg 78 Nijmegen, 6545CG Netherlands