Frequently asked questions

Like with any medicine, there can be some mild side effects, but these won’t last long, and many won’t experience any side effects at all.

Common mild side effects may include:

• redness or soreness in the area where the vaccine injection has been given
• feeling a little unwell including headache, muscle ache, feeling sick or drowsiness.

It’s important to keep in mind that the risk of seriously unwell from these dangerous diseases is far greater than the risk of minor side effects.

More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare and usually happen within minutes.

The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately in the unlikely event that you have an allergic reaction.

There are 2 types of pneumococcal vaccine given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:

• Pneumovax pneumococcal vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website)– usually given to adults and children over 2
• Prevenar pneumococcal vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 121kb)– usually given to babies under 2

There are 2 types of shingles vaccine given in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflets:

• Shingrix vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 136kb)– given as 2 doses
• Zostavax vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website)– given as 1 dose

You can read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine called Abrysvo.

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine can protect you against the most common types of flu viruses. There’s still a chance you might catch flu, even after getting vaccinated, but the symptoms are likely to be milder and shouldn’t last as long.

Protection from the flu vaccine does go down overtime and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year so it’s important you have your flu vaccine each year when invited to stay protected.

The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.

Covid-19 vaccine

Seasonal Covid-19 vaccines are offered because the virus changes and protection can fade over time. If you are eligible and you have been invited to have your Covid-19 vaccine, it’s important to have the vaccine to top up your protection.

While there’s still a chance you might catch Covid-19, even after getting vaccinated, you’re likely to have milder symptoms and less likely to become seriously ill from the virus.

It may take a few weeks from the first dose for your body to build up protection. Your body should start to respond more quickly (after a few days) after any additional doses.

Shingles vaccine

The shingles vaccine will reduce the risk of you getting shingles and if you do develop shingles, you are likely to have milder symptoms.

Depending on your age and the type of vaccine you are offered, the shingles vaccine will be offered in 1 or 2 doses of the vaccine which is enough to provide long lasting protection.

RSV vaccine

RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. The RSV vaccine can help to stop serious infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis developing.

The RSV vaccine can be given all year round. Older adults only need 1 dose, which should protect them for several years.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Vaccination gives the best protection against pneumococcal infections like meningitis and sepsis but there's still a chance you might get a pneumococcal infection.

You usually have some protection by about 3 weeks from when you had the vaccine.

Most adults only need 1 dose of the vaccine for long-term protection.

Flu vaccine

You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the Covid-19 and shingles vaccines.

It's not usually given at the same time as the RSV vaccine, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.

Covid-19 vaccine

You can have the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine. If you're eligible for an RSV vaccine, it's more effective to have it on a different day to your Covid-19 and flu vaccines.

Shingles vaccine

You can usually have the shingles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines such as the flu vaccine, Covid-19 vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.

RSV vaccine

If you're aged 75 to 79, the RSV vaccine is not usually given at the same appointment as your flu or Covid-19 vaccines, but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's needed.

You can have it at the same time as other vaccines, such as the shingles and pneumococcal vaccines.

Pneumococcal vaccine

You can get the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine

Most people who are eligible and invited for their flu vaccine can have it.

You cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.

Some of the flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein. Tell the person vaccinating you if you have an egg allergy.

Covid-19 vaccine

Most people who are eligible can have their Covid-19 vaccine, however some people will only be offered certain vaccines.

Children under 12 years old will be given smaller doses than older children and adults.

Most people with allergies can have the Covid-19 vaccine, including if you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to a previous dose, which might include as a rash, swelling, wheezing or hives. If you've ever had an allergic reaction, be sure to speak to the healthcare staff at your appointment before you're vaccinated.

If you’re at risk of a severe allergic reaction, vaccination staff or your GP may refer you to an expert allergist or specialist to assess your risk. They may advise you to have the Covid-19 vaccine at a specialist clinic or hospital where you can be monitored. This will only happen in rare cases, for example if you have a history of anaphylaxis.

Shingles vaccine

Most people who are eligible for the shingles vaccine can have it.

You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine, or an ingredient in the vaccine.

One of the shingles vaccines (called Zostavax) contains a weakened version of the virus that causes shingles. This vaccine is not suitable if you have a severely weakened immune system so you'll be given a different one (called Shingrix) instead.

RSV vaccine

Almost everyone who is eligible can have the RSV vaccine, but let your GP or nurse know if you have ever had a serious allergy to a vaccine, or any of the ingredients.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Most people can have the pneumococcal vaccine if they need it, including if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.

RSV infections can occur all year round but cases rise in winter. RSV can be easily spread through coughs and sneezes and it can be difficult to avoid RSV infection.

The best way to protect yourself is to have the RSV vaccine.

Almost all older adults will have had several RSV infections during their life. A single dose of the vaccine will help to boost protection as you reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection. Unlike the flu vaccine you do not need to have the RSV vaccine every year.

You may be invited to have your shingles or pneumococcal vaccine at the same time as the RSV vaccine, it is safe to do have these vaccines at the same time and can prove more convenient with less appointments needed.