The Doc Says

Our expert on the coronavirus vaccines

Most people will be getting the Oxford-astrazeneca vaccine after the UK Government ordered 100 million doses – enough to vaccinate 50 million people.

The vaccination programme started at the beginning of the month for priority groups like the over 80s, care home residents, health and care workers.

The Pfizer-biontech vaccine is also available and the UK was expected to have approximately 40 million doses of it.

But they are slightly different, although both target the spike of the virus which allows it to get into the body’s cells.

The Pfizer-biontech vaccine is an MRNA, a new type of vaccine, although the technology has been tested for a while.

It is like a bit of genetic code which gets the body to produce small amounts of spike protein as an antigen that the body will design an immune response against. The piece of genetic code then disappears.

So rather than inject the antigen itself, you are injecting a little bit of genetic code to make the antigen.

The Oxford-astrazeneca vaccine uses an adenovirus. This virus cannot do any harm but takes in a genetic sequence.

Its genetic code goes into the target cells and encourages the body to make the spike protein ultimately triggering an immune response.

These vaccines are approved by the Medicines and Health Care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It is a respected regulator whose robust and thorough assessments can be trusted. The organisation will continue to monitor the vaccines.

The main side effects seem to be a sore arm, fatigue, headache, chills and muscle pain. Usually the side-effects are mild and short-lived.

Every vaccine has a small degree of risk, but the risk from Covid-19 for vulnerable people is much higher.

It is advisable to have the vaccine when and if offered. Very few people need to avoid it, though pregnant women should speak to their GP or midwife.