20 Facts About The COVID-19 Vaccine That You Might Not Have Heard But Should Definitely KnowSkip To ContentHomepageSign InSearch BuzzFeedSearch BuzzFeedlol Badge Feedwin Badge Feedtrending Badge FeedCalifornia residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc PressRSSPrivacyConsent PreferencesUser TermsAd ChoicesHelpContactSitemapPaid PostPosted on 5 Jul 2021 20 Facts About The COVID-19 Vaccine That You Might Not Have Heard But Should Definitely Know Did you know the vaccine is vegetarian and suitable for all faiths? by NHSBrand PublisherFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink BuzzFeed / Getty Images 1. First of all, before *any* vaccine can be used, it has to pass super rigorous quality, safety, and effectiveness tests. 2. And each one of the COVID-19 vaccines was tested on tens of thousands of people across the world — on men and women, different ethnic backgrounds — before being rolled out to the public. 3. All vaccines also have to be granted approval by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This was exactly the same for the COVID-19 vaccine — no special treatment! John Lamb / Getty Images 4. There's even a 'yellow card' system (like football!). It's operated by the MHRA and monitors any reported safety concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. 5. There are potential side effects to the vaccine (as with all medicines), but they're almost always mild and short term! Like a sore arm, a bit of a headache, or feeling under the weather for the day. 6. And if you do experience side effects, a bit of paracetamol will work wonders. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images 7. Booking your vaccine appointment is super simple — if you're 18 or over, you can either organise yours now through the NHS booking service or call 119 free of charge to do so. 8. The AstraZeneca vaccine has a teeny tiny amount of ethanol (otherwise known as alcohol) in it...but it's less than what you would find in things you eat every day — like bread! 9. All the vaccines have also been classified as permissable by both faith leaders and Muslim scholars. 10. The UK's approved COVID-19 vaccines are suitable for people of all faiths... 11. ...and are also totally vegetarian (there's nothing that originated from an animal in them). Getty Images / Yasser Chalid 12. Pregnant people can also have the vaccine, so if you're 18 and above and pregnant you can book now. But it is recommended to have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if you're expecting, as they've been widely used during pregnancy in other countries without any problems. 13. You can also have the vaccine if you're breastfeeding! The COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK are non-live vaccines so they can't give you or your baby COVID, and they won't affect milk supply either. 14. There's also zero evidence it has *any* effect on your fertility and there's no need to avoid getting pregnant after being vaccinated. 15. In fact, the only people who shouldn't have the vaccine are those who are allergic to it! So be sure to ask your GP for advice if you suffer any severe allergies. BuzzFeed / Getty Images / Via Getty Images / Andriy Onufriyenko 16. The key to the COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness is antibodies. The vaccine contains technology that teaches your immune system how to create antibodies that specifically defend against the virus. 17. The vaccines also aren't instantly effective: It takes up to three weeks to start having a good antibody response in older people, and two weeks in younger people. So don't get your vaccine and immediately start licking phone booths, OK? Christian Adams / ozgurcankaya / Getty Images 18. It also doesn't make you invincible against COVID, but it helps you build up much better protection from it so you'll be far less likely to get symptoms if you catch it. With the vaccine you'll be even more unlikely to be admitted to hospital, or die from it, AND much less likely to pass the virus to others. The best protection comes from having two doses, so make sure to get both. 19. Anyone can get COVID-19, even healthy young people! And anyone can spread it. So everyone should get the vaccine regardless of how young and perky they are — it protects both you and your older loved ones. 20. There's really no reason not to get one. Literally millions of people in the UK have already had the vaccine with no adverse effects! The COVID-19 vaccines are here and safe and the NHS is ready to administer them — book your vaccination appointment here Share This ArticleFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink