Covid-19
Understanding the facts
frequently asked questions
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people aged 25 and over
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people who will turn 25 before 1 July 2021
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people at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
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people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
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people with a learning disability
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people who live or work in care homes
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health and social care workers
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people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
Who is eligible to be vaccinated in the UK right now?
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.’ – NHS
Is the Vaccine safe?
‘Yes, You should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That's because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.’ (CDC)
Also, the vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of transmission so you should get the vaccine in order to protect your community as well as yourself.
Do I need the vaccine if I've had Covid-19 before?
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.’ – NHS
How do I get a test?
If you are showing symptoms book a PCR test here: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
If you are not showing symptoms you can still book a rapid lateral flow test: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms/
COVID-19 poses a greater threat to the elderly, those with health conditions and those living in urban or deprived areas. Evidence indicates a possibility that males and black and Asian ethnic groups are more susceptible to the virus however this does not take into account occupation. Occupations where regular contact with numerous individuals occurs increases the risk posed by COVID-19. There is limited evidence it places pregnant women at a greater risk however, there is possible evidence the virus can cause stillbirths.
What demography is most at risk?
If you have not been contacted by the NHS but are eligible for a vaccine, you can book to receive a vaccine in a vaccination centre near you using the following link:
You may also be able to attend a walk-in appointment in your area. Further information can be found on the websites of your local vaccination centres.
I'm eligible, how do I get the vaccine?
All information provided on these pages is either sourced from Gov.uk the official government website, or other reputable sources. Please feel free to check the references
Why should we trust this data?
The point of wearing a mask over the mouth and nose is to reduce the risk of aerosols (or liquid particles in the air) from a in infected person breathing, coughing or sneezing from infecting other people directly or indirectly (by landing on surfaces). The mask catches some of the droplets before they can be spread into the air. Everyone should wear masks since they could be asymptomatic and still be transmitting COVID-19.
How does wearing masks stop Covid-19?
Different countries have utilised different methodologies during the COVID-19 pandemic which, for example, has led to different definitions of COVID-19 cases and deaths. It should also be noted that underdeveloped countries may lack the infrastructure required to confirm COVID-19 cases and deaths. The result is that while different countries may appear to have vastly different case and death rates, such rates may be over or under stated.
Similarly, different countries and regions hold different demographics and cultural norms. Locations with higher population densities are at greater risk of diseases spreading due to the close proximity of individuals in this area. An example of a cultural norm that may have played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic is that of wearing masks; south-east Asia, where mask-wearing was common even before the COVID-19 pandemic, has notably fewer cases than the Americas and Europe.