We are receiving a high volume of calls regarding the COVID vaccine.
I am sure you understand that we need to keep our phone lines accessible for medical queries that we can deal with. We hope the following will answer some of your questions.
COVID 1st or 2nd Dose
You can book your COVID Vaccine at a local vaccine site by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or calling 119.
Who can use this service
You can use this service if you’re aged 16 or over.
| Age group | Number of doses you’ll need |
|---|---|
| Over 17 years and 9 months old | 1st and 2nd dose |
| Between 16 and 17 years and 9 months old | 1st dose only with no 2nd dose currently required |
If you’re under 16 years old and eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, you cannot use this service to book an appointment. Please wait to be contacted by the NHS.
If you’re aged 16 or 17, you can also find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment.
All children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a 1st dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Parents and guardians will get a letter with information about when the vaccine will be offered.
Most children will be given their vaccine at school.
Please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine/ for more information on who can get a COVID vaccine.
COVID Booster Vaccine
You can book your COVID-19 booster vaccine dose online if you have been contacted by the NHS and you are either:
- aged 50 and over
- aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19
- a frontline health or social care worker
You’ll only be able to book an appointment for a booster dose if it’s been at least 6 months (180 days) since your 2nd dose of the vaccine.
Wait to be contacted
Please wait to be contacted by the NHS before booking your booster dose.
You may be contacted and asked to book online or at a local NHS service such as a GP surgery.
The order in which people are offered the COVID-19 vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Read the latest JCVI advice on priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccination on GOV.UK
Please read this leaflet for any questions you may have on the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for both first and second doses https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/976880/PHE_COVID-19_AZ_vaccination_guide.pdf
COVID-19 Vaccine Record
From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from:
- the NHS App which you can download from app stores
- the NHS website
- 119 – by requesting a paper letter
You will need to register to use the online services, if you have not already. It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified.
If you cannot access the online services, and you have had both doses of the vaccine, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel outside the UK in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take up to 7 working days for the letter to arrive.
This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status. Please do not contact the practice about your COVID-19 vaccination status unless you have been advised to by the 119 service.
When you’re planning your travel, you should check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is enough time to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are due to travel.