For carers: Vaccinations
Vaccinations are important for protecting the person you care for, but also for protecting the people around them. It is just as important for you to get your vaccine as it is for them to get theirs.
Not everybody can get a vaccine, including people who are severely allergic to an ingredient, people with compromised immune systems and very young children. Through herd immunity people who can get their vaccines are protecting vulnerable people who can’t.
Vaccines can feel scary, especially if the person you care for is afraid of needles, has never had one before or has had a bad experience with one in the past. But you can help prepare them for it by finding out more information about them here, reading through our Easy Read section with them (linked above) and by visiting our page on preparing for appointments (linked below).
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines teach your immune system how to protect you from certain viruses by developing antibodies.
It is a lot safer for your immune system to learn how to create antibodies against a certain virus through getting the vaccine than it is through getting the disease itself. This is because vaccines are controlled and tested thoroughly to make sure they’re safe.
Once your immune system knows how to fight off a certain virus it can remember and keep you protected for years.
But for some viruses you need a regular booster vaccination. This is because some virus mutate and the antibodies you have does not work against the new strain.
Alex had twice refused to have their Covid injection. Their family have wanted them to have the injection so they’ve worked with them and their team to do desensitisation work, including role plays using a Calpol syringe as a pretend needle and touching that against their arm. They went to the Doctors twice with their support team but left before the injection. After three attempts they had their injection.
How do we know that vaccines are safe?
All vaccines are tested to make sure they are safe for people, and it often takes a long time to make sure the vaccine is tested properly.
Sometimes vaccines can be made very quickly, like they are for Covid-19 and for the flu. This is because there has already been a lot of work done before to create vaccines for that type of virus.
When a vaccine is safe and being used in the UK the side effects are monitored to make sure they stay safe.
Some vaccines have very rare serious side effects, this can sound scary but they are very rare and it is safer to take the vaccine and protect yourself against the virus.
There is a dangerous myth that vaccines cause autism. This is incorrect and the person who spread this lie is no longer a registered medical professional.
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