Please read below before contacting the practice

ALL ADULT PATIENTS HAVE NOW BEEN INVITED FOR THEIR COVID VACCINATION.

IF YOU HAVE NOT, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRACTICE.

FAQs:

When can I have my booster dose?

The NHS is offering a booster vaccine dose to people most at risk from COVID-19 who have already had 2 doses of the vaccine.

Protection given by the COVID-19 vaccine decreases over time. A booster dose helps give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have a booster dose. It's important not to contact the NHS for one before then.

You cannot have your booster until it has been at least 6 months from your second dose of the primary course.

I am (a parent/guardian of) a young patient aged 16-18 or 12-15 with vulnerabilities and would like the vaccine

We have contacted all 12-15 year-olds with vulnerabilities. If they have not been identified as living with an immunocompromised person, please telephone the practice as soon as possible.

Our 16-18 year old patients are being invited to attend one of the drop-in sessions :

coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/

Please have your NHS number ready: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

I need evidence of my vaccines/test result for international travel or an event.

Please go to: covid-pass/

Patients who have had both vaccine doses in England can show their COVID-19 vaccination status via the NHS App. Those without access to the app can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119.

If your status does not show the vaccines you had, please contact 119 if you had your vaccine in a Mass Vaccination Centre or us if you had it in the Prospect House car park.

Astra Zeneca vaccine manufactured in India – additional information from DHSC

Following on from the additional queries raised around the AZ vaccine that has been manufactured in India, we have been in touch with DHSC (who are leading on this piece of work) again. They have now provided us with the following additional lines regarding this issue:

• All AstraZeneca vaccines given in the UK are the same product and appear on the NHS COVID Pass as Vaxzevria.

• The European Medicines Agency, as well as our own medicines regulator, has authorised this vaccine and travel should not be affected.

• No Covishield vaccines have been administered in the UK.

• All doses used in the UK have been subject to rigorous safety and quality checks, including individual batch testing and physical site inspections, by the UK medicine’s regulator, the MHRA.

• Ensuring safe and open travel with our global partners is a clear priority and we are engaging with international partners on certification to ensure travel for vaccinated people is unhindered in the future.

• We have spoken to the EU Commission who have confirmed that neither the Commission nor the EMA has advised Member States against accepting travellers vaccinated with ‘SII doses’.

• Our High Commission in Malta has been discussing this issue with the Maltese Government, who have agreed that they will accept the NHS certificate with the EMA approved AZ Vaxzevria dose.

• Astra Zeneca vaccine will be recognised in the same way as any other.

On the stories specifically about Malta last week:

• The Maltese authorities have agreed to amend their travel advice so this should not happen again.

• The government of Malta has advised they will recognise an NHS Covid Pass as valid evidence for entry. They set this out themselves here: https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Pages/Travel-Advice.aspx

• Anyone who has had their second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine two weeks or more ago can get an NHS Covid Pass, as set out here: https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Pages/Travel-Advice.aspx

• The Malta Deputy PM / Health Minister’s page also links directly to our own travel advice and the Malta International Airport page has been updated to reflect the change: https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health-promotion/covid-19/Pages/travel.aspx and https://www.maltairport.com/covid19/arrival/

I am worried about the side effects of the Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine.

The vaccine is no longer offered to those under 40 years of age unless a first dose had already been administered with no adverse effects. Please read the information about the vaccination by clicking the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/977653/PHE_COVID-19_AZ_vaccination_guide.pdf

I have not had my vaccine yet.

We have already contacted or attempted to contact all adult patients. To book your vaccine please go to coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or telephone 119 if you have no access to the internet.

See what to expect by watching this short video: