Covid vaccine side effects and impact on fertility - Sunderland director of public health and GP answer your questions

The city’s director of public health Gerry Taylor and Dr Fadi Khalil, who is the GP lead for vaccinations in Sunderland have joined together to produce a video answering some of the most commonly asked questions in relation to the Covid vaccination programme in the city.

From if the Covid vaccine is vegan to questions on if the jab could affect fertility, the pair have answered your questions in a seven-minute informative video.

It comes as more than 22 million people have received their first Covid vaccine in the UK as the Government aims to offer the jab to all adults by the end of July.

Once all the top nine priority groups have been offered at least one jab, the vaccine rollout will focus on people according to age group, rather than profession.

Gerry Taylor and Dr Fadi Khalil answer your questions:

How safe is the Covid vaccine?

Ms Taylor said: “The vaccine is safe as with any medicine. Vaccines are highly regulated products and are extensively tested before they are rolled out in the community. Trials and safety checks for these vaccines are the same as they would be for any of the vaccines.

"The NHS wouldn't offer any covid-19 vaccine to the public unless expert and independent eyes had signed it off that it is safe for use.

"The official UK regulator has said that these vaccines are safe and highly effective and there are checks at every single stage in development and manufacturing process and continuing monitoring once the vaccine has been authorised to make sure that is appropriate to be used in the wider population.

Are there any side effects of the Covid vaccine?

Dr Khalil said: “The side effects are what you would commonly expect with most vaccinations. General practise are very accustomed to giving vaccines, and we normally find it's either a sore arm, feeling a bit tired, a bit achy, maybe a headache, or a mild flu like illness.

“We have vaccinated over 85,000 people so far and most side effects have been very common, very mild, and people got over it within a day or so.

"If people do feel a bit unwell with side effects, such as achy arms or a bit of a headache than just simple measures such as paracetamol or a bit of rest should be enough.

“We're also advising the public, if they do get side effects, they can report it to the national team via the Yellow Card Scheme, which is all the patient leaflets that they are given at the sites.”

Does the Covid vaccine affect fertility?

Dr Khalil added: “The guidance also relates to fertility questions again, there's no evidence whatsoever that

affects fertility in both men and women.

“Most people who contract covid-19 disease will develop antibodies, the spike protein.

"And there's no evidence of fertility problems after covid-19 disease.”

To see the answers to all of the questions watch the video above.

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