The release of the first batches of the COVID-19 vaccine has potentially changed the course of the pandemic, giving hope to millions of people that life can start returning to normal. Although there is still some degree of uncertainty as to how the vaccines will protect against the varying new strains of the virus, the release of some form of protection means the world of good for our societies. So, what does the arrival of mass vaccination mean for you - and for life in the months and years to come?
 
COVID-19 vaccines
 
There are currently two vaccines in circulation within the UK - the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. When it comes to administration, both require two doses to be given to be effective, although there is now some discussion around the effectiveness of a single dose. The Pfizer vaccine has been reported to have 95% efficacy in preventing infection in participants with no previous evidence of COVID-19, while the AstraZeneca vaccine has 70% efficacy as a single dose and 90% if it is given first as a half dose and then as a full dose. There is also a third vaccine - the Moderna vaccine - which has been approved and should be in use by the spring. This also requires two doses.
 
Rolling the vaccines out
 
Both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are already being given to specific groups in the UK, including those who are over 80, care home residents, care home staff and those who work on the frontline of health and social care. There are more vaccines currently in development and a much broader programme is expected to be available from the spring. There is currently a ranking system for those who are eligible for the vaccine with older and more vulnerable people at the top, graduating down through age brackets and vulnerability. For example, those in BAME groups, areas of higher transmission and places where there is greater socio-economic deprivation will be a core focus.
 
Vaccines are only available from the NHS - beware of scams
 
As usual, there are scammers out there who will look to take advantage of people’s fears about COVID-19, and that includes desperation to get hold of a vaccine. There have been news reports of scammers taking money and injecting people with fake vaccines - or nothing at all. The vaccines are only available from the NHS and you do not have to pay for them, so be cautious of phone calls or communications that offer opportunities to jump the queue.
 
Creating hope for the future
 
It doesn’t look like the vaccine will become mandatory for those who are further down the list - though it could be a travel requirement in the future. Although it certainly provides hope that we won’t have to continue to live under constant restrictions and lockdowns, it’s not clear when this will happen. We don’t currently know, for example, how long immunity lasts or whether the vaccine only stops people from getting ill rather than spreading the virus.
 
Whilst we remain optimistic for the future now that several vaccines are in play, now is a crucial stage within the pandemic where we must continue to stem the rate of infection of the virus in order to help our dedicated healthcare workers in this battle against COVID-19.