Updated on 13th May 2021

Updated on 13th May 2021

The UK vaccination programme has been very successful with more than 30 million people vaccinated. Recently there have been reports of a very rare condition involving blood clots and unusual bleeding after vaccination.

Around 4 people develop this condition for every million doses of AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine doses given. If every person in the whole of Dacorum & Watford were vaccinated, we might expect that ONE person could go on to develop a blood clot (which may be treatable).

To date, 554 people in Dacorum and Watford have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test.

The Government’s scientific advisors have compared the risk of the blood clots to the risk of developing severe complications from Coronavirus. They recommend vaccination when the Covid risk is much greater than the vaccine risk.

Therefore healthy adults under 40 years of age will be offered an alternative vaccine, once one is available.

For people aged 40 or over (and those with other health conditions), the benefit of being vaccinated (reduced risk of serious illness or death from Coronavirus) is much greater than the small risk of complications. These patients and patients who have already received their first dose of AZ vaccine should complete the course.

Flu-like symptoms, including headache, chills and fever remain one of the most common side effects of any COVID-19 vaccine. These generally appear within a few hours and resolve within a day or two.

If you experience any of the following symptoms for more than 4 days and within 28 days of coronavirus vaccination, please seek medical advice:

· A severe headache that is not relieved with painkillers or is getting worse.

· A headache that feels worse when you lie down or bend over.

· A headache that’s unusual for you and occurs with blurred vision, feeling or being sick, problems speaking, weakness, drowsiness or seizures (fits).

· A rash that looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin.

· Shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling or persistent abdominal (tummy) pain.

For further information on the benefits and risks, please go to: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting

FAQ: www.covid.healthierfuture.org.uk/vaccination-faqs