Encouraging people to take up the COVID-19 vaccine

Everyone in Scotland should now have received an invite for their first COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

However, many have still to come forward for their vaccine. It’s really important that all those eligible come forward as soon as possible and get both doses of the vaccine to ensure maximum protection from COVID-19 and help us win the race against the virus.

Please help us to encourage people to take up the vaccine by:

• Sharing our content on your social media channels (follow Scottish Government channels across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
• Posting your own content on your social media channels using the assets and social media copy.
• Posting the news on your website or in newsletters.

You can download all campaign materials from the COVID-19 VACCINE DROPBOX and you can also view the Vaccinations Toolkit leaflet which includes links to further information.

Key Messages

Core

• People aged 18 or over are being urged to ‘get jagged in July’ with either their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or second, if eight weeks have passed.
• You can register online at nhsinform.scot/vaccineregistration to get an appointment by text or e-mail, or attend one of the drop-in clinics in your area without an appointment. See dates, times locations at nhsinform.scot/vaccinedropinclinics
• If your appointment time or location doesn’t suit, you can change it at www.nhsinform/covid19vaccineappointments
• Vaccinating as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, is our best way out of this pandemic and getting back the things we’ve all missed.
• Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine give you maximum protection for a longer period of time. You need to get both doses to protect yourself against COVID-19.
• You can get seriously ill with coronavirus at any age.
• While having the vaccine doesn’t eliminate the risk of getting coronavirus, by both you or your loved ones having it, it does reduce the impact of the virus.
• For more information visit nhsinform.scot or call the COVID-19 Vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Safety

• COVID-19 vaccines have passed through the same rigorous safety checks as all other vaccines. they have been tested on thousands of people around the world and now have been given to millions.
• Where possible, an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine will be given t those under the age of 40 unless they have already been given the first dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca safely.

Side Effects

• Not everyone will experience side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, but for those that do, they are usually mild and will go away within a few days.
• It’s normal to experience side effects after the COVID-19 vaccine and the common side effects are much less serous than developing COVID-19.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• All pregnant women will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as people of the same age or risk group.
• The cOVID-19 vaccine can be given at any stage during pregnancy.
• Make sure you know as much as you can about the COVID-19 vaccines and the risk of COVID-19 during pregnancy.
• The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine can be given to women who are breastfeeding.
• If you are breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, you can continue breastfeeding after vaccination.

Fertility

• You do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
• There is no evidence to suggest the COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility in women or men.

For more information about the campaign please contact health@smarts.agency