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: 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. If you’ve found information that looks like it could be legitimate, but you aren’t sure, see if you can find it from other reputable and trusted sources. It is unlikely that only one source has a true story about coronavirus. 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. After six months, this is good progress for the implementation of a programme of this size. We always knew the transition process would take time and this has been central to our planning.

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

If you have concerns based on specific medications or medical conditions, here are some links which may help answer your questions: 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. The BBC retained a free licence provision for the most vulnerable. Free TV licences remain available to anyone aged over 75 who is in receipt of Pension Credit, paid for by the BBC.

Anyone aged over 75 and receiving Pension Credit is eligible for a free TV Licence, paid for by the BBC. The third stage of testing involves tens of thousands of volunteers. Some are randomly selected to receive the vaccine and some receive a placebo. Neither the scientists or volunteers know who gets selected for each. If you fit any of the above groups and haven't had your first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, you can still get it during the autumn booster period. Why do we need booster jabs? We have had to adjust our plans because of Covid-19 - ensuring customers have plenty of time to respond and creating new processes to help them get set-up from home. 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.

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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 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 6117Any side effects you experience can also be reported to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme by your doctor. No enforcement action has been taken against anyone who has previously held a free over-75s TV licence. 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. How you’re feeling and whether you have any symptoms that would stop you from being able to have the vaccine. Last year, over 10 million people trusted us to help them with some of the biggest issues in their lives. Learn more about how we help. How your support helps

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It’s recommended that pregnant women should only receive the vaccine in certain circumstances. Children shouldn't get the vaccine at the moment, either. This is simply because it hasn't yet been tested on these groups. Vaccines teach our bodies to recognise antigens. This is the part of the virus that attaches to the cells in our body – something they need to do to replicate and cause an infection. Your body’s immune system produces antibodies that ‘match’ the antigens from a specific virus and prevent them from attaching to cells.

Your healthcare professional is there to answer any questions or worries you might have about the vaccine. There have been reports of other countries pausing their rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to certain groups. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) in the UK, the European equivalent, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are all confident of the safety and effectiveness of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and agree that the benefits outweigh any risks.

We know there have been a small number of cases in which there has been a delay or the transition process has not been straightforward. Then there are three stages of trials and at each of these stages, the vaccine is tested on more people. 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. 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. 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.At Age UK, we get all of our information from reputable sources including the NHS, academic experts, scientific publications, pharmaceutical companies, the World Health Organisation, and the organisation that approves the vaccines: the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Here's how, with your support, Age UK is supporting older people through the cost of living crisis. 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. The Government sets the criteria for Pension Credit and further detail from the Department for Work and Pensions can be found here.