Boots coronavirus vaccine service launched in seven more stores

The fight against coronavirus strengthens as more Boots stores offer the Covid vaccine from today. This includes pharmacies in Southampton, Chester and Chatham. Chief Pharmacist Marc Donovan

has also answered people's burning questions about the jab. "On the day of your vaccine, wear practical clothing so that it’s easy to access your upper arm," advised Donovan.

  Even after having the Covid jab, it's imperative to follow precautionary measures, such as wearing a face mask, social distancing and washing your hands often with soap and water.

"Not enough information is currently available to say when we can stop taking these precautions," said Donovan. "Scientists need to understand more about the protection that

the COVID-19 vaccines provide and how it affects transmission before making a decision," Donovan explained. Rest assured that the Covid vaccine will not give you coronavirus, but it

could cause mild side effects, such as: * TENDERNESS * SWELLING AND/OR REDNESS IN THE ARM * HEADACHES * TIREDNESS DON'T MISS "Despite the speed at which the vaccine has been

developed and made available to the public, it has still been through thorough checks by the regulators," emphasised Donovan. The pharmacist stated the vaccine is "safe, with no

long-term complications reported from trials". "It is critical in the fight against COVID-19 and I encourage everyone to take up the opportunity of the vaccination," he added.

In order to receive maximum protection against coronavirus, everybody will need to receive two doses of the jab. IF YOU'VE ALREADY HAD CORONAVIRUS, DO YOU STILL NEED TO BE VACCINATED?

The fact that reinfection is possible, Donovan recommends that "you should still get the vaccine". However, there will need to be a gap between the positive test result and getting

the jab. "Experts do not know how long someone is protected for after recovering from COVID-19, as immunity varies from person to person," said Donovan. "Early evidence

suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long," he added. The Covid vaccination, on the other hand, "should provide longer immunity". Boots currently offer

the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to those eligible for the jab. Patients must be invited directly by the NHS to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment at one of the participating Boots

pharmacies.