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Make sure your family are protected this spring
Dr Oge Ilozue, London GP Partner and Clinical Advisor for NHS London Vaccination Programme, explores why it’s important to know whether your child or a family member is immunosuppressed and how to keep them protected this spring.
What does immunosuppression or a weakened immune system mean?
Immunosuppression means the immune system isn't working as well as it normally would and leaves you more vulnerable to infection.
The immune system is the body's defence against disease. This includes any or all of the defences that make up the immune system - particularly the white cells in the bloodstream, the spleen and the lymph nodes.
How do I know if they have a weakened immune system?
They may have a weakened immune system if:
· they are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or are taking certain medications such as steroids
· they have had an organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant
· they have sickle cell disorder, blood cancer, are living with HIV, lupus, or a genetic disorder which affects their immune system
Speak to your medical team, nurse, GP or consultant if you think your child has a weakened immune system so is eligible for the free Covid-19 vaccination.
Why should they have another Covid-19 vaccination this spring?
Research led by Imperial College London showed that Covid-19 still poses a substantial risk to people who have a weakened immune system or are immunosuppressed. It also showed that the majority of immunosuppressed people produced antibodies after having more doses of Covid-19 vaccine. There is evidence that repeated doses of the vaccination can offer better protection for people who are immunosuppressed.
If your child, or a member of your family, have a weakened immune system, it’s important they have the spring Covid-19 vaccination as protection from the vaccine fades.
Can the vaccine give them the virus?
No. Covid-19 vaccines are ‘inactivated’, meaning they do not contain any of the live virus, so you cannot get Covid from having the vaccine.
But the vaccine may take two weeks to be effective, so if you catch Covid-19 in that timeframe you may become ill. That is why we encourage people to have their vaccinations as soon as they can.
What about the side effects?
They might experience flu-like symptoms as a vaccinations side effect. Side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine show that their body is producing antibodies to protect itself.
The side effects are usually mild and more serious side effects are very rare. There have been rare cases of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) reported but most people who had this recovered following rest and simple treatments. Less than 15 people in every million experience very serious side effects that’s 0.0015%. (Source: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)
“Millions of people around the world have now received their Covid-19 vaccines which continue to show a strong safety profile.”
How do I know these vaccines are safe?
The Covid-19 vaccines used by the NHS have been rigorously tested, are continuously monitored and we know that for most people the benefits of having the vaccinations far outweigh any risk.
Unprecedented scientific collaborations enabled Covid-19 vaccine research, development, trials and testing to be completed in record time to meet the need. Like all vaccines, they had to go through a rigorous regulatory process.
“If you do have questions or concerns, I encourage you to speak to a trusted healthcare professional. This can be your GP, nurse, pharmacist, health visitor or consultant, all of whom can provide evidence-based information.” Book online at nhs.uk/bookcovid, or find your nearest walk-in where you do not need an appointment, or call 119 free of charge (where a translator is available).