There was promising news in the search for an effective vaccine against coronavirus this week when a team at Oxford University announced its first results. It is one of around two dozen vaccines being tested on people in clinical trials – and there are around 140 others in development around the world.
The BBC’s online health editor Michelle Roberts answers some of your questions about coronavirus vaccines.
Would a vaccine be 100% safe – I am worried that a vaccine may be rushed out and there may be unwanted side-effects?
From Tim Pryke, Woodlesford, Leeds
New vaccines undergo rigorous safety checks before they can be recommended for widespread use. Although research into a coronavirus vaccine is happening at a very rapid pace, these checks are still happening in clinical trials.
Any treatment can have some side-effects and vaccines are no different. The most common side-effects of vaccines are typically mild and can include swelling or redness to the skin where the jab was given.
Is there any proof that the flu vaccine in 2019 and 2020 have been checked for Covid-19?
From Antonia Saluto, Bedford, England
The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against coronavirus. Flu (influenza) and coronavirus are completely different diseases caused by different viruses.
Having a flu jab is a good idea, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, to help protect your health.
Flu can cause severe illness in some people, and those at high risk – which includes the over-65s and people with long-term health conditions – can get a free flu jab on the NHS.
Image copyrightSCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYFrom Anne Lindo, Reading, England
Scientists are testing lots of different potential coronavirus vaccines. It is not yet clear which ones may be most effective, if any. Different versions may be more suitable for some people than others.
Tests are happening in volunteers but it will take time to get results and to know who might benefit from vaccination.
If you have received a transplant and are taking immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection, some vaccines, such as “live” vaccines containing weakened bacteria or viruses, may not be appropriate for you.
Would this vaccine still be effective if the virus mutates?
From Alan Ng, Dingley, Canada
The coronavirus vaccines being developed at the moment are based on the viral strain currently circulating.
Viruses can mutate, but this will not necessarily make the corresponding vaccine less effective. It depends how significant the mutations are and whether they affect the part of the virus the vaccines are designed to safely mimic.
Many of the experimental coronavirus jabs currently being tested contain the genetic instructions for the surface spike protein that coronavirus uses to attach to and infect human cells. Reassuringly, scientists have not seen any substantial mutations to this part of the virus yet that would render these vaccines useless.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESFace covering questions
From 24 July, face coverings in shops in England will be compulsory.
Here are some of your questions on the subject.
Questions and answers
Latest questions
Your questions
Skip Latest questions
-
The government says people with medical conditions or disabilities that mean they cannot wear a covering will not have to do so.
We do not yet have the precise wording of the rules for shops. However, face coverings have been compulsory on public transport in England since 15 June and the rules for that are pretty broad.
Anyone who cannot wear a covering “because of any physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability”, or who would experience “severe distress” from doing so, is exempt. -
-
It won’t be compulsory for shop workers in England to wear a face covering because “it won’t always be right for every setting in a retail environment”, according to Environment Secretary George Eustice.
However, Mr Eustice says that many workers already wear coverings or are protected by a screen.
The face covering requirement for customers will help to protect shop workers, according to Heath Secretary Matt Hancock, who told Parliament that shop workers have suffered disproportionately from coronavirus.In Scotland, where face coverings for customers have been compulsory since 10 July, shop staff also do not have to wear them, but it is “strongly recommended” in the guidance that they do.
-
People in England will not be required to wear a covering in places where it’s not practical.
Environment Secretary George Eustice gave the example of pubs, cafes or restaurants.
On public transport in England, people are allowed to remove their face coverings if it is “reasonably necessary” for them to eat or drink. Clearly that would apply to everybody in a pub, cafe or restaurant. -
-
-
End of Latest questions
All about coronavirus
Your questions
Skip All about coronavirus
End of All about coronavirus
Protecting myself and others
Your questions
Skip Protecting myself and others
End of Protecting myself and others
Me and my family
Your questions
Skip Me and my family
End of Me and my family
Leaving the house
Your questions
Skip Leaving the house
End of Leaving the house
My finances
Your questions
Skip My finances
End of My finances
Work issues
Your questions
Skip Work issues
End of Work issues
Back to school
Your questions
Skip Back to school
End of Back to school
Student issues
Your questions
Skip Student issues
End of Student issues
Life after lockdown
Your questions
Skip Life after lockdown
End of Life after lockdown
Testing, tracking and tracing
Your questions
Skip Testing, tracking and tracing
End of Testing, tracking and tracing
Quarantine
Your questions
Skip Quarantine
End of Quarantine
Support bubbles
Your questions
Skip Support bubbles
End of Support bubbles
Correction 22 July: This piece has been amended to accurately reflect that face visors are not a substitute for a face covering.
Source: bbc
About The Author
