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Patient receiving COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 and vaccination FAQs

 

The information below has been compiled by RCN advisers in public health, infection control, and employment relations. We'll be updating it as the situation develops - so please do check back often.

Looking for something different? Try our COVID-19 FAQs

The RCN actively encourages its members to take up the COVID-19 vaccine. The NMC Code requires nurses to take measures to protect their patients and the public as well as to protect themselves against serious illness as a professional responsibility.

Alongside PPE and social distancing, vaccination is a measure to reduce the risk. Employers should take all reasonable steps to support the vaccination of at risk staff. The RCN believes that this includes employers allowing these staff reasonable paid time away from work to attend vaccination appointments.

Under regulation 7 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002, employers are required to assess the risk to staff of occupational exposure to hazardous substances (including biological agents and pathogens) and take measures to control and reduce the risk of exposure. Under regulation 3 of the COSHH Regulations employers have a duty to risk assess and put in place control measures to extend to those who may be affected by the work carried out by the employer, this includes taking all reasonable steps to ensure agency and bank staff are protected, vaccinated and provided with PPE.

The RCN recommends taking up vaccination as best practice. However, we recognise that some members might choose not to be vaccinated. If you have medical concerns about the vaccine, please see our section on refusal below.

Members who are concerned about their own clinical situation/circumstances should discuss this with their employer and/or GP.  

How do I get the vaccine? Can agency workers, students and those working in the independent sector get the vaccine?

In England, frontline staff who have not had the COVID-19 vaccine can call 119 or book online.

The Priority groups for coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination is published by the JCVI. It includes all:

  • frontline health and social care workers who provide care to vulnerable people wherever they are employed

including those who are:

  • employed independently to provide care to vulnerable people
  • working in hospice care
  • working temporarily in the COVID-19 vaccination programme who provide face-to-face clinical care.

The Green Book chapter for COVID-19 vaccination provides more detail and recommends that temporary staff such as bank or agency workers, including those working in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, students, trainees and volunteers who are working with patients in the NHS or in an independent or voluntary setting, must also be included.

The vaccine programme for health and care staff is being rolled out through organisations those staff at high risk of acquiring infection, at high individual risk of developing serious disease, or at risk of transmitting infection to multiple vulnerable persons or other staff in a health care environment, are considered of higher priority for vaccination than those at lower risk. This prioritisation should be taken into account during vaccine deployment.

Can internationally recruited nurses get the vaccine?

Yes, internationally recruited nurses working in the NHS will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine and will not need a GP/NHS number.

What should I do if I have not been included in the list to be vaccinated?

In England, frontline staff who have not had the COVID-19 vaccine can call 119 or book online.

The Green book chapter for COVID-19 vaccination says that staff working in care homes for older adults should be included in the first Priority Group for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. This includes temporary and agency workers as well as permanent employees working in these settings. All other frontline health and social care workers should then be included in Priority Group 2 to receive the vaccine. This group should include; students, temporary staff such as agency or bank workers regardless of who they are employed by and it includes those working in independent or voluntary healthcare providers.

The order that the NHS will vaccinate everyone in each Priority Group may vary, so you may need to wait for details of when and where you will receive your vaccination. NHS Trusts have compiled details of how many of their workers are eligible to receive the vaccination, as have many independent workplaces such as care homes, hospices and independent hospitals and clinics. We expect that most members will have their vaccination arranged through their workplace or employer in this way, but it is possible that some members may be given a letter by their employer or agency to take to a GP.

If you believe that you have not been included in the list of workers to be vaccinated as part of Priority Group 1 or 2 then you should raise this issue with your employer/agency in the first instance. If this does not resolve the issue you should contact RCN Direct on 0345 7726100.

Do I need to have the flu vaccine before I have the COVID-19 vaccine?

The guidance in the Green Book chapter for COVID-19 vaccination recommends there is a seven day gap between administration for the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. The RCN would recommend staff have both these vaccines as soon as they are able to help protect them, their families and patients.

I am hesitant about being vaccinated and I am worried about what will happen at my work if I refuse it. What should I do?

Make sure you find out about the vaccine, talk to colleagues and read the information in the Green Book and other vaccine information.

You should also find out what your employer expects from you in relation to the vaccine. Check whether your employment contract has any terms about vaccination and check the local policy.

You should speak to your manager and/or your HR department to find out if there are other arrangements (like redeployment) that can be utilised if your employer only wants vaccinated staff to work in your area. Ask whether testing and PPE will mitigate the risk sufficiently for you to continue to work in your usual area. See our section below for more information on refusal.

What to expect after vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, but as with any medicine they can cause side effects. These are mostly mild and short lived and while not everyone will get them they are not uncommon. People should be advised that they may get side effects and reassured that these are to be expected. Anyone who becomes very unwell should call 111 or their GP.

Please see 'What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination' for more detailed information. There is also a printable leaflet available in a range of languages.

It is really important that people return for the second dose of vaccine

Reporting and monitoring of adverse events after vaccination

All medicines adverse events are monitored by the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and there is a dedicated Coronavirus Yellow Card reporting site.

Any member of the public or health professional can submit suspected side effects through the Yellow Card scheme. The MHRA also publish a Coronavirus COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions report detailing the adverse events to date reported from the vaccine programme roll out.

What if I am worried about an allergic reaction?

As with any vaccine there is a small risk of serious allergy and anaphylaxis but this is very rare, please see Contraindications and special considerations: the Green Book, chapter 6.

For the COVID-19 vaccines, there is specific advice on serious allergy:

  • As for any vaccine, anyone with a previous history of allergic reaction to the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines, should not receive it.
  • Individuals with a history of immediate onset-anaphylaxis to multiple classes of drugs or an unexplained anaphylaxis should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine can be used as an alternative (if not otherwise contraindicated).
  • Those with any other allergies to; a known drug or vaccine, food or insect stings can now have it.
  • All recipients of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine should be kept for observation and monitored for a minimum of 15 minutes as a precaution.
  • As with administration of any vaccine, facilities need to be available for the management of anaphylaxis and vaccinators need to be appropriately trained.

See this guidance for more information along with the Green Book, chapter 14a.

Reporting and monitoring of adverse events after vaccination

All medicines adverse events are monitored by the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and there is a dedicated Coronavirus Yellow Card reporting site.

Any member of the public or health professional can submit suspected side effects through the Yellow Card scheme. The MHRA also publish a Coronavirus COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions report detailing the adverse events to date reported from the vaccine programme roll out.

Why is it important for BAME communities to take the COVID-19 vaccine when offered?

The Royal College of Nursing recommends that everyone accepts a COVID-19 vaccine when they are offered it. We know that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities are amongst the group that are at higher risk of becoming critically ill and dying as a result of contracting COVID-19. Vaccination is therefore a vital step in protecting already vulnerable communities from further harm. 

The reasons for the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME communities are multiple and complex and it is important to recognise the impact of structural racism on the pattern and frequency of health inequalities experienced. Recent surveys have shown there is a high rate of vaccine hesitancy amongst a number of groups including BAME communities which is a significant cause for concern and underline the importance of encouraging vaccine uptake.

Tailored local implementation to promote good vaccine coverage in BAME communities is an important factor within a vaccine programme. Such programmes should aim to build trust and confidence in the vaccine as well as tackle misinformation.

Employers are responsible for undertaking staff risk assessments to identify individuals at higher risk of contracting the virus and/or experiencing serious illness if they do. These risk assessments include factors such as ethnic background, and should be used as the basis for prioritising access to vaccines for staff. It is essential that all staff including those from BAME backgrounds have access to the vaccine as soon as they are offered it.

See this video as a useful resource, actors and others help promote and encourage vaccination in BAME communities. The British Red Cross have also produced a video encouraging everyone to join the conversation around vaccines. 

In addition, colleagues from University Hospitals Birmingham share their experiences of the COVID-19 vaccine, to encourage others to have the vaccine: 

Please also see the information from the British Islamic Medical Association on COVID-19 vaccines which addresses many of the myths which have been circulating about the vaccine. 

What is the evidence to show the vaccine is safe for BAME communities?

The Public Assessment Reports from the MHRA contain all the scientific information about the trials and information on trial participants.

There is no evidence either of the vaccines will work differently in different ethnic groups.

Are there any resources to help with community languages?

Please see our section on leaflets and resources for help with accessing a range of materials, leaflets and videos in different languages.

Please see the RCN position statement on changes to the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

As a general principle, the RCN support the decisions of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) as the independent expert group responsible for advising the UK vaccination and immunisation programme.

The decisions must be taken by independent experts and on the basis of all the available evidence and such decisions must be taken without pressure from government or other pressure groups. There must be detailed responses when concerns are raised and other solutions proposed.  

General changes to the vaccine programme: how do I keep up to date?

Given the current epidemiology of the disease and increasing availability of new vaccines, it is inevitable that the programme will change. Vaccines need to be rolled out at speed as soon as they become available to help stop serious disease from COVID-19.

The rapid changes to the programme underline the necessity for all clinicians involved in the vaccination programme to keep track of the most up to date published guidance, to be found in the Green Book: Immunisation against infectious disease which provides the UK immunisation policy and is informed by JCVI.

There are currently three vaccines approved by the MHRA for use in the UK against COVID-19:

I am concerned about the risk of giving a second dose with a different vaccine

The Green Book advice is to give two doses of the same vaccine wherever possible. There is no data on the interchangeability between the two vaccines, however, depending on the individual risk or concern that someone may not be able to return, it may be pragmatic to give the second dose with the locally available vaccine - but this would be an individual clinical risk assessment.

This guidance is clear in the Green Book, in the guidance for health care professionals (which includes the national protocols), and in the Patient Group Direction templates.

There is work ongoing to assess the potential interchangeability of the vaccines so this guidance may be amended further as evidence becomes available.

If you have concerns, raise these with your line manager and if they are not resolved, contact RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100.

Further information

Information on handling of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine is available from the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS). 

Information on vaccine preparation is detailed in this video produced by Pfizer.

Please see this statement from the RCOG and the RCM which provides confirmation that there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility. The RCOG also has helpful FAQs on COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, although there are no specific safety concerns or harm to pregnancy. There is also no known risk associated with giving non-live vaccines during pregnancy and neither vaccine would lead to infection in either the woman or the unborn child. The JCVI advises that either vaccine should be considered where the risk of exposure infection is high and cannot be avoided, or where the woman has underlying conditions that put them at very high risk of serious complications of COVID-19.

The JCVI does not advise routine pregnancy testing before receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Those who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.

There is no known risk associated with giving non-live vaccines whilst breastfeeding.

Find resources and guidance around COVID-19 vaccination delivery on our public health pages. See also:

Further information and education materials

Regulation

Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

See 'Get involved in vaccine delivery' on our COVID-19 vaccination page.

I’m currently ill with COVID-19, can I get the vaccine?

People currently unwell and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not receive COVID-19 vaccine until they have recovered. This is to avoid wrongly attributing any new symptom or the progression of symptoms to the vaccine (and to prevent infecting anyone else in the vaccination centre). 

As deterioration in some people with COVID-19 can occur up to two weeks after infection, ideally vaccination should be deferred until they have recovered and around four weeks after onset of symptoms or four weeks from the first positive test in those who are asymptomatic. 

See COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners and the ‘Green Book’ chapter COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a.

Do people who have already had COVID-19 get vaccinated?

Yes, they should get vaccinated. 

There is no evidence of any safety concerns from vaccinating individuals with a past history of COVID-19 infection, or with detectable COVID-19 antibody so people who have had COVID-19 disease (whether confirmed or suspected) can still receive COVID-19 vaccine.

It is not known how long antibodies made in response to natural infection persist. If individuals do have antibodies following natural infection, receiving COVID-19 vaccine would be expected to boost any pre-existing antibodies.

See COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners and the ‘Green Book’ chapter COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a.

Vaccines and many medicines are routinely given outside the manufacturer licence. There are instances with the wider routine UK vaccine programme where the schedule and dose recommendations differ to those from the individual vaccine manufacturer’s product information. This occurs as new evidence on disease epidemiology or vaccine effectiveness becomes available or on occasion for operational reasons.

Where there are differences to the manufacturer guidance and national policy, it is the Green Book guidance that takes precedence, as detailed as a basic vaccination principle. See Immunisation procedures: the Green Book, chapter 4.

The national Patient Group Direction (PGD) templates and national protocol templates are updated and available here. While these are developed for England, they are shared across the UK for authorisation in the devolved administrations.

Vaccine administration outside the existing PGD or protocol will need a Patient Specific Direction (PSD) or individual prescription.

Members with concerns about their registration can be reassured that the NMC will support those who follow the national protocol or the PGD even where the process diverges from manufacturers’ instructions. If any patient brings a compensation claim, the state indemnity schemes will cover our members. Read more about indemnity in our guide COVID-19 and indemnity: what you need to know.

Can internationally recruited nurses get the vaccine?

Yes, internationally recruited nurses working in the NHS will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine and will not need a GP/NHS number.

Please also see the NHS Employers guide for international nurses during COVID-19.

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

The rationale for dose schedule changes are detailed in the JCVI statement and the four UK Chief Medical Officers’ letter. The WHO have acknowledged the recommended dosing interval but also that countries have to make more flexible schedules to meet specific epidemiological situations.

 

  • The second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be given between 3 to 12 weeks following the first dose.
  • The second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine may be given between 4 to 12 weeks following the first dose.

Please see: COVID-19: the Green Book, chapter 14a, COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners and the links in our external resources section. Where there are differences between the manufacturer guidance and national policy, the basic vaccination principle is that the Green Book guidance takes precedence; see chapter 4 of the Green Book.

The video on the Public Health Wales site helps to clarify the rationale for the scheduling. Additional resources along with FAQs are also available from Public Health Wales. 

Regulatory approval of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19
Regulatory approval of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine 

Why have these changes been made? Will the vaccine still be effective?

The vaccine programme needs to change to reflect the specific public health situation we are managing with COVID-19 disease. The MHRA have now given temporary authorisation 174 to three vaccines; Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca are being rolled out as part of the COVID-19 vaccine programme; a third vaccine from Moderna will be added as soon as vaccine supplies become available. Given the current rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, it is essential we roll out vaccine at speed to protect those most vulnerable.

There is good evidence of short-term vaccine efficacy from the first dose of both vaccines. As a result the advice from the JCVI is that vaccinating a greater number of people (at least initially) with a single dose will prevent more deaths and hospitalisations than vaccinating a smaller number of people with two doses.

The second dose is still important to provide longer lasting protection and is expected to be as or more effective when delivered at an interval of 12 weeks from the first dose.

The programme details may change further as the epidemiology of the disease also changes.

I am concerned that people have consented to two doses within a short time scale. Does the change to scheduling invalidate that consent?

Just as with any change to planned treatment, a change to the schedule for vaccine doses for an individual recipient does not invalidate the earlier consent, providing people are given the explanation for this.

Consent for administration of any vaccine is required before each dose. As such, people need to be advised at each appointment; what vaccine they are going to get, the reasons for receiving it and have any concerns addressed - this would include if there have been changes to the original planned care, just as you would expect for any care pathway.

See the links in the key resources section above for the Green Book and other useful sources of information. Also see the leaflets for health care staff and the public from Public Health England.

Wherever possible, members should be encouraged to explain to patients the rationale for the changes, i.e. that more people can get the vaccine as quickly as possible and that the first vaccine dose will provide immediate short-term protection.

Members may decide on an individual clinical basis that they need to vaccinate people as per the original plans. The RCN and NMC would support local decisions to continue with planned second dose administration at 3-4 weeks where it is appropriate.

Members who are concerned about their own clinical situation/circumstances should discuss this with their employer and/or GP.

Should people who have already had COVID-19 or are suffering from ‘Long Covid’ get vaccinated?

Yes, if they are in a priority group identified by Join Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This has been considered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in authorising the vaccines for use. Having prolonged COVID-19 symptoms is not a contraindication to receiving COVID-19 vaccine. If people are seriously debilitated, still under active investigation, or have evidence of recent deterioration, deferral of vaccination may be considered to avoid incorrect attribution of any change in the person’s underlying condition to the vaccine. See COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners and the ‘Green Book’ chapter COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a.

For more information on the role of NAs and NSWs, please see Immunisation services and large-scale vaccination delivery during COVID-19 and the section titled Education and training needs of immunisers.

Please also see the following RCN publications:

The Role of Nursing Associates in Vaccination and Immunisation. Position statement (April 2019)

Health Care Support Workers Administering Inactivated Influenza, Shingles and Pneumococcal Vaccines for Adults and Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for Children

What PPE is required for administering an immunisation including the COVID-19 vaccine?

Immunisers are advised on the infection prevention and control precautions and appropriate PPE for immunisation within the UK infection prevention and control guidance document (see page 17) i.e. wear an FRSM mask on a sessional basis, and risk assess the need for eye protection.

Gloves and aprons are not routinely required unless there is an additional risk of exposure to blood or body fluid contamination/broken skin. This risk is generally very low. If gloves and aprons are worn they are single use and must be removed and changed in between each patient. Hand hygiene must be rigorously applied between each vaccination episode and patient/person contact.

The WHO Framework for decision-making: implementation of mass vaccination campaigns in the context of COVID-19: interim guidance, 22 May 2020 has similar guidance.

I have had the vaccine. Do I still need to wear PPE at work?

All vaccinated staff should still follow current COVID-19 guidelines on PPE and social distancing where appropriate.

Please also see our sections on returning to work, protection from future infection along with our PPE guide.

Will I be protected from infection after having the COVID-19 vaccine?

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccine programme is to protect people from severe disease as a result of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The vaccines in the current programme have been authorised given evidence that they will help prevent severe disease in significant numbers of people.

As with most vaccines, it will generally take 10 to 14 days for people to build any kind of immunity from the vaccine and no vaccine will ever provide complete protection.

It is still unknown if COVID-19 vaccination will stop people from catching or passing on the SARS-CoV2 virus.

We do not yet know how long the current vaccines will give protection for as there is limited data on this.

It is really important that everyone who has had the vaccine still follows the guideline on social distancing, testing, shielding and self isolation where necessary. This applies to the workplace and at home.

The COVID-19 vaccine will not affect testing for COVID-19 infection. For further information see COVID-19 vaccination: information for healthcare practitioners and Public Health Wales resources for health and social care professionals.

Please also see our section on returning to work after having the vaccine.

For more information on record keeping, please see Immunisation services and large-scale vaccination delivery during COVID-19 and the Top tips section. This also covers the role of administrative staff.

The RCN recommends taking up vaccination as best practice. However, we recognise that some members might choose not to be vaccinated and the questions and answers below are for their assistance.

As a health and social care worker do I have to have the vaccine?

No-one can be forced to have medical treatment - including vaccines - and the UK governments are not making it mandatory for health and social care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, there may be consequences for you at work if you have not been vaccinated and your employer can show that you present a risk to patients or clients as a result.

Can my employer dismiss me if I am not vaccinated?

If your employer considers that you present an unacceptable risk of infection to patients because you have refused the vaccine, in some circumstances they may even be able to dismiss you under the heading of ‘some other substantial reason.’ For the dismissal to be fair, the employer would have to act reasonably and consult with you before making a final decision. For example, they would need to:

  • provide you with their reasons for their requirement that you are vaccinated
  • give you the opportunity to state your concerns, and
  • consider other alternatives.

This risk assessment could include consideration of whether you could be redeployed to a place where you did not present an unacceptable risk or whether any risks could be reasonably mitigated through testing and PPE.

If your employer is taking action against you for refusing to be vaccinated, call us on 0345 7726100.

I am shielding. Will having the vaccine mean I no longer have to shield?

Having the vaccine should not mean that your period of shielding comes to an end. It is still unknown if COVID-19 vaccination will stop people from catching or passing on the SARS-CoV2 virus. It is really important that everyone who has had the vaccine still follows the guidelines on social distancing, testing, shielding and self isolation where necessary. This applies to the workplace and at home.

Please also see our sections on returning to work and protection from future infection.

What if I am refusing vaccination because of my religion and belief?

If you are subjected to a detriment as a result of your decision not to receive a vaccine - or even dismissed - and the reason for your refusal is related to your religion and belief, you may have a claim for discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer would need to show that they had tried to accommodate you. Your employer may try to defend their actions on the basis that they had good reason for the decision, and it is proportionate. This is known as “objective justification”.

What if I am refusing the vaccination because of a medical issue?

If you are subjected to a detriment as a result of your decision not to receive a vaccine - or even dismissed - and the reason for your refusal is related your disability, you may have a claim for discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer would need to show that they had made reasonable adjustments in all the ways suggested above. Your employer may try to defend their actions on the basis that they had good reason for the decision, and it is proportionate. This is known as “objective justification”.

Other medical issues give rise to a recommendation that you do not receive a vaccine. Your GP may make such a recommendation, or national guidance may be in place.

Conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding: Please see the RCOG guidance on COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding and our section on vaccination and pregnancy.

Serious allergy: Please see our section on allergies.

If you intend to refuse a vaccine on medical grounds you may require a GP report to support this. As with any medical information, your medical reason for refusal should be treated in strictest confidence by your employer, following occupational health guidance.

If you refuse a vaccine on medical grounds and this leads to a dispute with your employer, please contact us on 0345 7726100 for advice and support.

Does it make a difference if I work in the NHS or for an independent sector employer?

Your employer will need to undertake a risk assessment that will consider both the risk you present and steps that can be taken to mitigate these risks. For example, these steps may include:

  • considering redeployment to a lower risk area
  • a continued requirement for COVID-19 testing, and
  • the wearing of PPE. 

It is important to recognise that smaller independent employers may not have the capacity to implement measures that larger employers can offer. The ongoing provision of PPE and testing for staff who refuse the vaccine will add additional financial outlays for the employer which may not be considered a reasonable adjustment in the long-term.

Could I be breaching the NMC Code of conduct if I decline to be vaccinated?

Under the NMC Code all registered nurses have a duty to preserve safety. You must take all reasonable precautions necessary to avoid any potential health risks to others. Whilst receiving the vaccine will not be mandatory, you must work with your employer to mitigate the risks if you have not been vaccinated. It is difficult to predict what this might mean as the pandemic enters new stages, but it could include redeployment to areas with less vulnerable patients, regular testing and the ongoing use of PPE even when other staff are not required to make use of those precautions. Provided that you cooperate with your employer to avoid exposing others to risk, you should be deemed compliant with the Code.

I declined the vaccine and I have fallen ill with COVID-19. My employer says that I will not receive full sick pay. What can I do?

You will be paid statutory sick pay, but your employer may try to argue that any discretionary element of your sick pay could be withheld. The RCN position is that uptake of the vaccine is voluntary and should not be connected with any sick pay. You should check your employment contract to determine what sick pay is owed to you contractually.

If you are unable to resolve the issue, you should contact us for assistance and a claim for unlawful deduction of wages may be considered. Call us on 0345 7726100.

Can I return to work after having the vaccine?

Yes, you should be able to work as long as you feel well. If your arm is particularly sore, you may find heavy lifting difficult. If you feel unwell or very tired you should rest and avoid operating machinery or driving. 

The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and two doses will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. 

Should I return to work after having the vaccine if I am clinically vulnerable or have been shielding?

No vaccine will give 100% protection and it is really important that you continue to follow the guidance in your workplace, including wearing the correct personal protective equipment and taking part in any screening programmes. 

Everyone who has had the vaccine must continue to follow the guideline on social distancing, testing, shielding and self-isolation where necessary. This applies to the workplace and at home.

Public Health England have updated their guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 to reflect this and confirm that anyone who has had the vaccination should continue to follow shielding advice. 

If you have not received official guidance to shield, but you are currently off work or working from home following a risk assessment, then your employer should conduct a further risk assessment before requiring you to return to your place of work. This remains the case whether you have received your first or second dose of the vaccination or whether your employer is asking you to return for any other reason. 

If your employer is requiring you to return to your place of work and you do not believe an appropriate risk assessment has taken place then you should contact RCN Direct for support on 0345 772 6100.

All medicines, including vaccines, are highly regulated – and that is no different for the approved COVID-19 vaccine. There number of enablers have made this possible:
  1. The different phases of the clinical trial were delivered to overlap instead of running sequentially which sped up the clinical process.
  2. There was a rolling assessment of the vaccine trial data as soon as it became available so that experts at the MHRA and JCVI could review it as soon as possible, ask questions along the way and request extra information as needed – as opposed to the usual process which would mean getting all information at the end of a trial.
  3. Clinical trials managed to recruit people very quickly as a global effort meant thousands of people were willing to volunteer.

The trials and evidence show the vaccines to be safe and effective. These are being followed up with ongoing surveillance and monitoring to analyse the safety and ongoing effectiveness of the vaccines. The PHE COVID-19 vaccine surveillance strategy describes the process for how this will be implemented.

It is inevitable that the programme will adapt as more evidence becomes available. This will be analysed by the JCVI and MHRA and be published in the COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a. Everyone should make sure they always look at the most up to date version and access it on line.

Please also see the MHRA information on the process for vaccine authorisation and ongoing surveillance and the Oxford Vaccine Group useful information and resources for all COVID-19 vaccines.

You can also read our blog which helps to explain how vaccines have been tested. 

Vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines in children is not routinely recommended given the lack of data on the safety or efficacy in children. The COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a gives more detailed information

The RCPCH have issued advice on the use of the vaccines in children vulnerable and shielding: Message for paediatricians on children and young people and the COVID-19 vaccination programme | RCPCH

Communication materials in different languages

Please see our section on leaflets and resources for help with accessing a range of materials, leaflets and videos in different languages.

Learning disabilities

Is the vaccine vegan/vegetarian friendly?

There is no material of fetal or animal origin, including eggs, in the current vaccines. All ingredients are published in healthcare information on the MHRA’s website. Please also see:

PHE Guide to the use of human and animal products in vaccines discusses this in greater detail for all vaccines, not just those for COVID-19.

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COVID-19 vaccination

Clinical information, guidance and relevant RCN positions on the UK COVID-19 vaccine programmes.

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Find out how to protect yourself, what you should expect from your employer and what to do if you have concerns.

Our guidance on PPE

Read this alongside your local infection prevention and control policy.

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Page last updated - 25/02/2021

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