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Minority ethnic communities

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has disproportionately impacted minority ethnic communities, but these communities have also been subject to misleading information around the COVID-19 vaccine.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccine will work differently on ethnic minority backgrounds.

The vaccines save lives and help protect the NHS from being overwhelmed.

It is important that you #DoYourBit and book your vaccination if invited.

Why should I still get the vaccine now that restrictions have been lifted?

Vaccines enabled the gradual and safe removal of restrictions on everyday life over the past year. Thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine, we are able to get back to doing the things we love. However, COVID-19 is still out there and there are still people in hospital unwell with the virus. Many of those that are in hospital are those who have not been vaccinated or have not received a booster.

Will the vaccine give me COVID-19?

You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine. None of the authorised COVID-19 vaccines in the United Kingdom contain the live virus that causes COVID-19; the vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. The vaccine can cause side-effects, but these are usually mild and are not caused by an infection.

Will I get side-effects from the vaccine?

You may experience some mild side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Side-effects are very mild, do not last for very long and not everybody will get them. Some of the more common side-effects can include a sore arm, feeling tired, a headache, feeling achy, and feeling or being sick. If you do get these, a pain killer such as paracetamol is recommended. There are no cases of significant side effects among the millions of people who have received this vaccine. It is very rare for vaccines to have long-term side effects – however Covid-19’s long term effects can be deadly. For more information on side-effects, visit the NHS website.