Traditional vaccines contain either a modified or weakened form of the virus, including the antigen. Some vaccines which use newer technology contain the genetic code for the virus’ antigen instead, so your body produces the antigen itself. Both methods have the same result: they prompt our immune system to make antibodies that ‘match’ the antigen. This natural immunity from having an illness doesn’t usually last as long as the immunity given by a vaccine, so it’s recommended that if you’ve had coronavirus you do still get a vaccine. Any side effects you experience can also be reported to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme by your doctor. Volunteers are then monitored closely to determine whether people catch the disease and if there are any side effects. Monitoring continues to determine how long immunity lasts. Overall, customer satisfaction levels remain high - as measured by independent assessment and industry best practice.

Clive Lloyd knighted - BBC New Year’s Honours: West Indies star Clive Lloyd knighted - BBC

As the coronavirus pandemic has had such an impact globally, researchers and pharmaceutical companies worked together to reduce the amount of time spent waiting between the phases of development. It might be that you're offered both at the same time. This is perfectly safe and could be more convenient for you.

Then there are three stages of trials and at each of these stages, the vaccine is tested on more people. No one needs to leave their home to get set-up. Arrangements can be made via post, online or via a dedicated phone line on 0300 790 6117 From the outset, we have planned for this transition process to take time and we are making good progress. Research has shown that the protection the vaccines provide starts to lessen as time goes on. Booster vaccines have also been amended to protect you from more recent variants, so it's important that everyone who is eligible goes and gets their booster. Do I need to get my flu vaccine too?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine latest information | Age UK

The NHS prepared a vaccination programme so that it could start vaccinating people as soon as vaccines were approved and available. No enforcement action has been taken against anyone who has previously held a free over-75s TV licence. Wherever a vaccine is developed, it must be granted approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) if it's to be used in the UK. They examine the available information about the vaccine, how well it works and whether it’s safe before giving approval. Once approved and licensed, the vaccine needs to be produced in large enough quantities before finally being given to the population. Scientists identify the specific antigen to the virus that causes the disease, then develop a vaccine to trial. Yes. TheUK regulator and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)(the independent experts that advise Government on all vaccines) have assessed all approved vaccines to be safe and able to offer a high level of protection against becoming severely unwell with coronavirus, including for older people.

About 1 in 7 older customers are left to transition either by buying a licence or claiming a free licence paid for by the BBC. Millions of people have received the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. A small number of people have developed health conditions after vaccination. There is substantial evidence of the benefits of the vaccine in preventing illness from coronavirus. The MHRA, EMA and WHO continue to closely monitor all coronavirus vaccines. After vaccination, if the virus gets into our body, our immune system remembers what to do and produces antibodies to fight it. This means the infection doesn’t get a chance to take hold and we are immune to the virus. Vaccination means we can stimulate this immunity without becoming unwell with the disease in the first place. We wrote to people twice last year. In August we wrote to all over 75 customers who had previously held a free licence explaining the simple steps they needed to take to apply for a paid or free licence. A reminder letter was sent to a much smaller group in October and November to help remaining customers get set-up.

TV Licences: An update - Media Centre - BBC Over 75s TV Licences: An update - Media Centre - BBC

As of August 2020 there were 4.2m over-75 households with free licences that, under the new policy, needed to transition to new paid or free licences.

Key numbers

While this collaborative approach means vaccines were made available sooner, it doesn’t mean any shortcuts were taken. Each vaccine approved has been through all the essential stages in its development. If you do experience any of these side effects, they're likely to last no longer than a week. But if they get worse, or if you're concerned, you should call NHS 111 and explain your symptoms – let them know you've had a vaccination. While your body may have built up some natural immunity to coronavirus if you’ve already had it, we don’t know for certain how long this immunity lasts or how well it protects you from catching it again. Each vaccine has gone through trials to ensure the risk of serious side effects is very low. However, as with other vaccines – such as the flu vaccine – there are some common side effects. These include:

No one in this group would have received any other letters unless we were in active dialogue with them as part of the transition process. No visits have been authorised to anyone who had previously held a free over-75s licence. This policy has been in place since August last year.Any vaccine offered to you has been licensed and approved and has gone through all the necessary stages of development to make it safe and effective. We have implemented these transitional arrangements with the greatest care and have worked to make the process as fair and straightforward as possible. We have also been very mindful to operate in a Covid-safe way. If you have concerns based on specific medications or medical conditions, here are some links which may help answer your questions: Your healthcare professional is there to answer any questions or worries you might have about the vaccine.