Hello, my name is Dr Tehsin Ali, and I am a doctor working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
I am here to talk to you about the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine is completely voluntary.
No one is being forced to have it.
However, getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Even though the vaccine was developed quickly, rigorous testing was still required.
NHS Scotland will only use a vaccine if it meets the required standards of safety and effectiveness.
All medicines, including vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they are allowed to be used.
The safety of the vaccines continues to be checked while they are being used.
The COVID-19 vaccine was able to be developed quickly for a number of reasons.
For example, funding was no obstacle.
Thousands of scientists contributed to the effort, tens of thousands of people signed up rapidly
to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials.
It normally takes much longer to recruit people.
Because so many people in the population had COVID-19, scientists were able to
observe the effectiveness of the vaccine more quickly than with rarer diseases.
Finally, pharmaceutical companies started investing in manufacturing early on, so there was no delay
between completion of testing and rolling out the vaccine.
As with most medicines and vaccines, some people may experience mild side effects after the COVID-19 vaccine,
such as fever or muscle pain.
These usually last for a day or two.
Serious side effects are extremely rare.
There are very few people who cannot get the coronavirus vaccine.
There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility.
You do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
The vaccine is not routinely recommended if you are pregnant, as it has not been tested on pregnant women,
however, if you have a high risk of exposure to coronavirus, or have underlying
conditions that place you at a very high risk of serious complications of coronavirus,
you should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with your health professional.
With regard to what is in the vaccine, NHS Scotland can confirm
that the COVID-19 vaccine does not contain any animal products or human matter
It also does not contain a chip that links to surveillance or any other form of information gathering.
This is one of the many rumours circulating about the COVID-19 vaccine.
These conspiracy theories are risking lives, as they are stopping people from getting the vaccine.
This vaccine is our best way out of coronavirus, offering protection that until now has not been available.
When it is your turn to get the vaccine, please take it.
You don't have to do anything, or even get in touch with your GP, you will be contacted.
Thank you.