Vaccine Information

The UK’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is well underway and has recently been accelerated. Yet we have found that within asylum seeker and refugee populations there is a noticeable lack of understanding about the vaccine. There are many concerns regarding its safety, its potential to lead to deportation and regarding its contents.

In an effort to provide accessible information we have created brief PDF leaflets which outline the facts and truth surrounding these concerns these can be found by clicking on one of the links below. We’ve provided two formats, one which is an informational leaflet; the other contains a QR code which can be printed off and then scanned with a mobile or tablet.

Language	Vaccine Info Poster
Arabic	Download
English	Download
Farsi	Download
French	Download
Kurdish Sorani	Download
Russian	Download
Spanish	Download
Turkish	Download

The aim is to enable informed decisions on whether to have the vaccine. We have translated these documents into the most common languages found among the asylum seeker and refugee population but if you would like this in another language please contact [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate your request. These are aimed at those currently residing in Home Office hotels but please share these documents with any asylum seeker or refugee who you know that might benefit from such information.

This document contains further information regarding the vaccine. It contains online sources that may be useful to volunteers when answering questions about the vaccination. Please note that there are also some links to information translated by other organisations into numerous community languages which can be passed on if required.

The vaccine has been approved for use in the UK after extensive trials and it reduces the chance of you getting seriously ill with Covid-19. The most common side effects are an achy arm or tiredness for a day, but it cannot give you the virus.

Sources:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guide-for-older-adults/covid-19-vaccination-guide-for-older-adults#will-the-vaccine-protect-you

You will not be asked for proof of your immigration status and you cannot be deported on the basis of taking the vaccine. An NHS number is helpful if you have one, but you do not need to be registered at a GP.

Sources:
BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55978334
Department for Health and Social Care: https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1358890850223157250
Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-migrant-health-guide#covid-19-translated-advice-and-guidance

There is a word document on this page which has this information in many languages. You can download this here: COVID-19 testing and treatment free of charge 

Doctors of the World translated into 60 languages, information regarding immigration on page 8: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/

You need 2 doses of the vaccine, but do not need to pay for anything.

Sources:
NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/how-you-will-be-contacted/
Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-migrant-health-guide#covid-19-translated-advice-and-guidance

The Covid-19 vaccine does not contain any animal products, and is Halal. It has been recommended by the British Islamic Medical Association.

Sources:
British Islamic Medical Association: https://britishima.org/operation-vaccination/hub/covidmyths/ (Myths and questions answered in Arabic, Urdu, Kurdish and Tamil)
British Islamic Medical Association statements on Covid-19 vaccine: https://britishima.org/operation-vaccination/hub/statements/#VAX

There is more information about the Covid vaccine here in lots of different languages!

Sources:
NHS: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/covid-19-vaccine-communication-materials/
International Organsiation for Migration Country Office for the United Kingdom: https://covid19uk.iom.int/
NHS: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/covid-19-vaccine-communication-materials/

Videos in a number of community languages reading the below script:

Leaflets for what to expect after the vaccination, in multiple languages:

Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-what-to-expect-after-vaccination