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Is the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine available in the UK?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 10, 2026

Is the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine available in the UK?

To date, supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK has been authorised on a temporary basis by the MHRA under Regulation 174 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012, but as this was always intended to be a temporary arrangement, supply of this vaccine will change to be in accordance with the CMAs.

Does the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine contain any ingredients that can cause COVID-19?

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca stimulates the body's natural defences (immune system). It causes the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus. This will help to protect you against COVID-19 in the future. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19.

What are the common side effects of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine?


The most frequently reported adverse reactions are injection site tenderness (68%), injection site pain (58%), headache (53%), fatigue (53%), myalgia (44%), malaise (44%), pyrexia (includes feverishness (33%) and fever ≥38°C (8%)), chills (32%), arthralgia (27%) and nausea (22%).

The majority of these adverse reactions were mild to moderate in severity and usually resolved within a few days of vaccination. Very rare cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome have been reported post-marketing within the first three weeks following vaccination (see section 4.4).

Does the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca contain any animal products?

The MHRA can confirm that the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca does not contain any components of animal origin.

What is the maximum interval for receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine?

The committee supports a 2-dose vaccine schedule for the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines. Given the data available, and evidence from the use of many other vaccines, JCVI advises a maximum interval between the first and second doses of 12 weeks for both vaccines.

16 related questions found

What is the recommended dosing interval for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine?


AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine dosing interval. The recommended interval between 2 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is 12 weeks. The minimum interval between doses is 4 weeks. The duration of protection after a single dose of AstraZeneca has not yet been established.

How far apart should you wait between the doses of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine?

The MHRA authorisation includes conditions that the AstraZeneca (Oxford) vaccine should be administered in 2 doses, with the second dose given between 4 and 12 weeks after the first.

Can you take the COVID-19 vaccine if you have allergies?

Most people with allergies (including food or penicillin allergies) can be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tell healthcare staff before you're vaccinated if you've ever had a serious allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis). They may ask what you're allergic to, to make sure you can have the vaccine.

How does the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine work?

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca stimulates the body's natural defences (immune system). It causes the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus. This will help to protect you against COVID-19 in the future. None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19.

What are the most common adverse reactions to the covid-19 vaccine?

The most frequent adverse reactions in trials were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, myalgia (muscle pains), chills, arthralgia (joint pains), and fever; these were each reported in more than 1 in 10 people.

What are some common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children?

Common side effects their arm feeling heavy or sore where they had the injection feeling achy or like they have the flu feeling tired having a headache

Can you get a fever or temperature after the COVID-19 vaccine?

Although a fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and arrange to have a test.

Can you still get Covid after vaccine?

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, so you should continue to take recommended precautions to avoid infection. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

Is AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine recommended for children?

COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is not recommended for children aged below 18 years. No data are currently available on the use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?


The MHRA confirmed on 9 September 2021 that the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca can be used as safe and effective booster doses. Following review of data for the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna vaccine, the MHRA and CHM experts also concluded that this vaccine can be used as a safe and effective booster dose.

All vaccines and medicines have some side effects. These side effects need to be continuously balanced against the expected benefits in preventing illness. The COVID-19 Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine was evaluated in clinical trials involving more than 44,000 participants. The most frequent adverse reactions in these trials

Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect your ability to drive and use machines?

Driving and using machines

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, some of the effects mentioned under section 4 'Possible side effects' may temporarily affect the ability to drive or use machines.

Can you catch COVID-19 after 2 doses of vaccines?

Although 2 doses of vaccine will greatly reduce your own risk of becoming unwell with COVID-19, it is still possible to contract the virus and pass it to others.

How old do you have to be to get the Astrazeneca vaccine?

The vaccine is not recommended for persons younger than 18 years of age pending the results of further studies.

How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?


If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine have side effects?

After you've had the vaccine, you might feel unwell for a short time. This is called having side effects. Side effects don't usually make you feel very poorly, and not everyone gets them.

What are the possible side effects of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine?

The most common side effects with BNT162b2 (which may affect more than 1 in 10 people) were pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever.

Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

What are ECDC’s recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination?

ECDC strongly encourages those who are eligible for vaccination but have not yet been vaccinated to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in a timely manner according to national recommendations.

Are there two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for children?


About the vaccine Children will be offered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Each vaccine is a third of the dose of vaccine that is given to older children and adults. Children at greater risk of serious illness if they catch COVID-19 will need 2 doses of vaccine, 8 weeks apart.

All other children will be offered 2 doses of vaccine 12 weeks apart. The vaccine has been tested to make sure it is as safe as possible. You can read the Pfizer leaflet for further information. Side effects Common side effects Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term