COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Update

There have been a lot of news reports recently about the Government’s COVID 19 Response Winter Plan.   Please don’t contact the Surgery and be assured that you will be contacted if and when it is your turn to receive further vaccinations.  In the meantime, we can only administer the vaccine when we receive supplies and are authorised to administer it.  And we will only be sent small amounts each week.

Our understanding of the Government's COVID-19 Response Winter Plan is that there will be three different vaccination programmes are going forward.

1. Third primary dose - this is for those who are severely immuno compromised. We are waiting for guidance from NHS England on the patients for whom this applies. Hospital consultants and NHS England will decide the patient list.  This group will be prioritised, and we will be told who to contact. Please do not contact us; we will contact patients when it is their turn.
2. Booster dose - this will be for anyone aged 50+ and clinical at-risk groups. This dose is expected to be delivered at least six months after the second dose. We are waiting on further information from NHS England on arrangements and when local vaccine supplies will be made available. Please do not contact us; we will contact patients when it is their turn.
3. 12 - 15-year-olds – we are advised that these children will be vaccinated at school, not at GP Practices. If offered an appointment by your school, we encourage parents and guardians to make sure they do not miss these appointments and complete the appropriate consent forms correctly as there may not be any catch-up clinics. For children who are home schooled - this group will be contacted separately. 

Please do not contact us.  Schools will be in touch with regards to patients aged 12 – 15 years old, and we will contact patients in other eligible groups when it is their turn. 

If you have not yet received a first dose, its not too late  

If you're over 18, you can either attend one of the local “Walk-In” centres or book an appointment online through this link to the National Booking Service.

Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site by following this link:>>

Or

Book or manage your COVID-19) vaccination by phoning 119 or by using the online National Booking Service through this link:>>

If you are aged 18 or over it is essential to attend to receive this 2nd dose to maximise your immune response.

YOUR COVID VACCINATION STATUS

DEMONSTRATING YOUR COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS – THE NHS COVID PASS

An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status.

You may be asked to show your pass to travel abroad, or at events and venues in England asking for proof of your COVID-19 status.

Always check the entry requirements for the country or the venue you're visiting.

If you're planning to travel abroad, or want to know more about your COVID-19 status:

• learn about travel abroad from England during COVID-19 on the GOV.UK website here:>>
• find out how to demonstrate your COVID-19 status on the GOV.UK website here:>>

Please do not contact the  surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status.  Like all GP Surgeries, while we cannot provide COVID-19 certification, it is now possible to access proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status using the NHS App. You can access the app through mobile devices such as a smartphone or by tablet. Our Patient Participation Group have developed a user guide to help you download and register the NHS app. Please follow this link to download the guide on How to Download and Register to Use the NHS App:>>

Please note, the Covid Pass is not available when using Linked Profiles/Proxy Access – individuals must have their own NHS App login.  You can share a phone or device but will need a unique email address to sign up to the NHS App.

To view your COVID-19 vaccinations on the NHS COVID Pass, within the NHS App

• Log in to the App Please make sure you are looking at the NHS App, not the NHS Covid-19 App!
• Click on ‘Get your NHS COVID Pass’ under Popular services
• Click on ‘Travel’ if you are travelling abroad or ‘Domestic’ if you need to show your COVID Pass at places that have chosen to use this service.
• Click on the green box ‘COVID-19 records found’ Show details
• You will now see details of your covid vaccinations – scroll left and right to see both vaccines.

You may also download a PDF copy of your COVID-19 vaccination records or elect to receive an copy by email. 

Please note that the pass expires 30 days from the point of accessing the record.  If you are travelling abroad  for longer than 30 days you can request a COVID-19 post vaccination letter which does not have an expiry date.  Please do not contact the  surgery to request a COVID-19 post vaccination letter. 

You can get a letter by:

• requesting a COVID Pass letter online
• or by calling 119

Alternatively you can use the NHS website to see your Covid pass here:

SCAM ALERT:  

We have made me aware that fraudsters sending emails purporting to be from the NHS, are taking advantage of people’s excitement for their holidays by inviting them to apply for a COVID-19 travel certificate.

The scammers have sent emails with links that ask recipients to accept or decline the invitation within a short timeframe.  These emails are fake, and the links within them lead to genuine-looking websites that steal your personal and financial information.