Patient Information

Like all medicines, vaccines can sometimes cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. Although you may get some protection from the first dose it is very important that you have the second dose to give you the best protection against the virus.

Very common side effects include:

• having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine
• feeling tired
• headache
• general aches, or mild flu like symptoms

Full details on the side effects can be found on the patient information leaflet you received with your vaccine or in the section entitled 'COVID-19 Vaccines with MHRA temporary authorisation' below.

If you have concerns about allergies and the vaccine, please visit: https://www.bsaci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/v3Jan-2021-COVID19-Vaccines-and-Allergy-FAQ.pdf

Any adverse side effects can be reported here.

I have some COVID-19 like symptoms after receiving my vaccine, do I need to self-isolate?

You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine, however it is important to be aware of any symptoms you may experience and when you should contact someone for further advice.

A mild fever, headache and a feeling of tiredness can occur within a day or two of vaccination. A high temperature is unusual and may mean you have COVID-19 or another infection.

If you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your symptoms last longer, stay at home and arrange to have a test by calling the clinical helpline on 01481 220001 or 01481 220002.

MHRA review into suspected blood clots

Following suspensions by some countries of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca over suspected blood clots, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed that the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19 far outweigh the risks. The UK regulator, following a rigorous scientific review of all the available data, said that the available evidence did not suggest that blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism) were caused by COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.

More information on the MHRA review into suspected blood clots can be found here.

• Pfizer BioNTech vaccine
• AstraZeneca vaccine
• Moderna vaccine - Patient Information Leaflet for COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Moderna Spikevax
• Astrazeneca  Vaxzevria
• Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty

On 15 December 2020, the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) agreed a set of regulations to limit the States of Guernsey liability in relation to the COVID-19 voluntary vaccination programme, while a vaccine (or vaccines) are temporarily authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.

Whilst the vaccination programme is entirely voluntary, the Chair of the CCA, Deputy Peter Ferbrache signed a set of regulations to limit the liability to the States of Guernsey.  What this means in practice is, where a court determines in any civil proceedings that an award for damages associated with the use of a COVID-19 vaccination with temporary authorisation should be made, the maximum amount that can be awarded in respect of all losses and damages is £120,000.00 (in respect of a person who has died or suffered personal injury).

The CCA believes it is appropriate these regulations are introduced for the Bailiwick to ensure taxpayers’ money is reasonably protected against the extremely unlikely event that such a claim for damages would be made. It should not be seen as a reflection of the process by which any vaccine may be authorised for emergency use, which in respect of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been thorough and presents no safety concerns. 

These regulations, known as The Emergency Powers (Coronavirus) (Vaccine) (Limitation of Liability) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2020 are only a temporary measure but it may be expected that similar arrangements will be in place until a designated vaccine/s are given a marketing authorisation from the MHRA or the European Medicines Agency, as required by regulations 12 and 13(1), respectively, of the Medicines (Human) (Exemptions and Recognition of the Marketing Authorisations) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Regulations, 2009. Once full marketing authorisations are in place, claims for damages would be made in the usual way through the States of Guernsey insurers. 

The regulations came into force on 15th December 2020 and were laid before the States, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedures for the States of Deliberation and their Committees, at their December 2020 Ordinary Meeting.

Regulation 174 of The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, which applies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, makes provision for the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to waive the usual requirements for a full marketing authorisation from the regulatory body – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - in a number of emergency-like situations, including in response to a suspected or confirmed pathogenic agent. The reference to the spread of pathogenic agents in Regulation 174 means the powers are available in a pandemic situation.

On 2nd December 2020, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) temporarily authorised the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine under the provisions of Regulation 174.

In August 2020, the States of Deliberation approved the Prescription Only Medicines (Human) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, which enables a vaccine/s with temporary authorisation to be used in the Bailiwick. This Ordinance firstly requires the Committee for Health & Social Care to designate a named vaccine for COVID-19 by regulations, having consulted with the Policy & Resources Committee, the Policy and Finance Committee of the States of Alderney and the Medical & Emergency Services Committee of the Chief Pleas. The CfHSC is also advised by the Medicines Committee, established under sections 2 and 3 of the Medicines (Human and Veterinary) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2008. The Committee agreed designate the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on 8th December 2020, thereby permitting its use in the Bailiwick.

If/when a vaccine or vaccines for COVID-19 receive a full marketing authorisation from the MHRA or European Medicines Agency, it is expected that any potential issues or risks associated with their use would be insurable by the States of Guernsey in the normal way. 

Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in the Bailiwick however these regulations would apply to any COVID-19 vaccine given similar temporary authorisation and designated for use in the Bailiwick.