THE COVID VACCINATION PROGRAMME

Vaccination continues

Priority patients are based on the Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who identify patients based on the prevention of serious illness from COVID-19. Prioritisation is primarily based on age, as the risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 increases with age.

Groupings and progress SHOW

More information on the vaccine is available by reading our FAQs or checking the links below.

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AM I SUITABLE FOR THE COVID VACCINATION?

Suitability criteria

You will be suitable for the vaccination if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

• You have not declined the vaccination
• You are mobile or can be taken to the local vaccination centre, which is Church Farm Primary Care Centre (where Ivy Grove Surgery and Jessop Medical Practice are based)
• You can commit to booking (and attending) both first and second vaccination appointment dates
• You have not had any other vaccination in the seven days prior to the covid vaccination date
• You have not had a positive covid test or covid symptoms in the last four weeks
• You have never had an anaphylactic allergic reaction (e.g., angio-oedema, or reaction requiring adrenaline pen) or unexplained severe allergic reaction (i.e., unknown cause) or had an allergic reaction to covid vaccine (NB: usual expected side effects like sore arm and mild temperature/malaise post-vaccination are NOT allergic reactions - you do not have to notify us)
• Covid vaccination and pregnancy (UPDATED: April 16, 2021)
• There's no evidence the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe if you're pregnant
• It is preferable to have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if you're pregnant
• You will be offered the vaccine when you are eligible
• You can have the COVID-19 vaccine if you're breastfeeding
• You do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination and there is no evidence that it affects your chances of becoming pregnant
• The covid vaccine cannot give you or your baby COVID-19
• Please see official guidance
• Please see information leaflet
• Please see infographic poster

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BEING PREPARED ON CLINIC DAY

Please be prepared on the day of vaccination clinic:

• If you have covid symptoms or are awaiting the results of a PCR covid test, you MUST NOT attend, you will need to cancel your appointment for your jab
• Do not park on the road by the side of the surgery for safety reasons - please use the dedicated patient car park!
• You must not arrive too early or too late for your appointment, in order to maintain social distancing and facilitate car parking
• You must wear a face covering
• For certain brands of jab, you will need to stay on the premises for 15 minutes after having the vaccination for safety reasons
• You should follow the marshalls as they will direct you to where you need to go
• You should wear suitable top clothing to give quick and easy access to your upper arm
• Vaccination clinic is not for presenting your clinician with other medical problems whilst you are there

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Please note that we provide these FAQs in all good faith to answer patients' queries regarding covid vaccination, however, as you will all know, the situation with the vaccination programme is subject to rapid change and we can therefore accept no responsibility for issues arising out of use of these FAQs. If you need clarification of any points, please review official sources below

I don't want to read all this, what are the key messages?

Why can't I contact you to book my covid jab?

Clinics are scheduled according to vaccine delivery and until delivery is confirmed, we cannot book patients into clinics. Therefore we are unable to book you on demand or when you request it. We will contact you when it is your turn to have the jab.

I have been invited to book my covid vaccination through an accurx.thirdparty.nhs.uk or book.nhs.me link, is it legitimate?

accuRx is a software provider that GP surgeries are using to send out invites to patients. Please review this information from accuRx .

Why has my neighbour had their covid jab before me?

We have not forgotten you. Each practice in the neighbourhood has a defined number of slots in each clinic available to them to book their patients into. There are many more patients than slots available in each clinic, therefore it will take several clinics to get through each eligible cohort.

Remember the covid vaccination programme is not like the flu vaccination programme, it is on a much larger scale, and will run for 8-9 months minimum, not just over a few weeks like the flu programme, so everyone eligible will eventually get their turn.

How are you choosing which people to contact?

The single greatest risk factor for Covid-19 is increasing age, and this risk rises exponentially (more and more rapidly) with age. The optimal strategy for minimising future deaths is to offer vaccination to older age groups first.

Please check the priority list above for the eligible cohorts.

Why can't I have the jab now and just get back to normal?
Why can't you change my grouping?
But I have xyz condition as well as abc condition?
Dr X / Nurse Y says I need the jab right now!

Please see above. We cannot shortcut the national process for the eligible cohorts to call any patient in earlier and you cannot buy the jab privately.

We do not determine the groupings - they are set nationally based on JCVI guidance; they are specified as above and your grouping is already set based on what is in your medical record. We do not change the groupings unless your medical record is incorrect. So, for instance, even if you have mutliple medical conditions, it does not mean you are bumped up a group. If you are not a clinically extremely vulnerable patient, but have chosen to shield yourself, it does not mean you are bumped up a group.

If your hospital consultant believes that you are in a high risk group (shielding) and should have the covid vaccination earlier, then by all means they will be able to code your record from their end. We get automatic notifications of those who have been added to the shielding list centrally by the NHS.

Although we definitely want to see as many people vaccinated as possible, and we all know the whole country wants to get back to normal as soon as possible, the covid vaccination programme is a marathon, not a sprint. The programme will run for 6-8 months minimum. Even if you have the jab now, it does not mean that you or your family can abandon all the ongoing measures to keep yourselves safe. You must still socially distance, adhere to strict hygiene and follow all rules on local and national restrictions.

Please be aware that everyone is working extremely hard behind the scenes to deliver this programme as quickly, effectively and efficiently as possible, so even if you do not hear straight away, you can be assured that strenous efforts are underway and you will get your turn.

The quickest way to get the jab is to patiently wait your turn and accept and attend any appointment for the jab that you will be offered - everyone who is eligible will get their jab eventually.

Contacting us repeatedly about covid vaccination risks delaying care to other patients and risks blocking our phone lines for urgent calls.

For queries regarding group 6 eligibilty and medical conditions, please see our specific information.

What if I live in a care home or I'm housebound and can't get to a clinic?

Please be assured that there are processes to ensure that all residents (and health care staff) in care homes and those patients who are housebound will be vaccinated in a separate process. You will not be left out. Please wait to be contacted.

Please note, if you are offered the vaccine, and are able to get to a clinic (for example, with help from a relative or friend), we do encourage you to attend the clinic if possible. If you cannot attend a clinic, you may have to wait for the above process to get round to you.

What if I am a frontline health or social care worker?

If you work for an NHS trust, or hospital, then your human resources or occupational health department will arrange for you to get the covid jab.

If you work in a care home, you should be able to get your covid jab when the residents in your workplace get theirs.

For all other health and social care workers, please wait to be contacted by your employing organisation in due course.

The latest guidance indicates that by mid-January, all NHS Trusts should have been established as 'hospital hubs' and the default provider of covid vaccinations for all healthcare and social care workers.

What if I am a carer?

The definition of a carer for the purposes of eligiblity for group 6 vaccination is an adult person who provides regular and ongoing care for an elderly or disabled person, and the wellbeing of the person being cared for would be put at risk should the carer become ill.

I've received a letter or invite from the NHS about going to another vaccination centre elsewhere - what do I do?

It is your choice if you wish to travel away from the area to an external vaccination centres, or you can wait until you get an invite to the local clinic in Ripley.

If you have received such a letter and wish to book at another vaccination centre, please visit NHS.UK . PLEASE NOTE: You can only use this service if you have received a letter inviting you to book your vaccination appointment.

If you would rather have your jab at the local clinic, simply ignore the letter and wait to be invited locally. There is no need to contact us.

If you do choose to book and go elsewhere for your jab, there is no need to let us know, as we automatically get records of vaccinatons carried out elsewhere.

Can I pick which brand of covid jab I get?

No you can't. Current guidance is that once you have started a course with one brand of vaccine, you must complete the course with the same brand and not switch over to a different brand, however studies are underway and this might change the guidance.

Can I socialise with others once I've had the jab?

The answer to this is a most definite 'no'. You will still need to follow all local and national restrictions in force.

Do not assume just because you have been vaccinated that all the problems around you will suddenly go away. There is still a high level of coronavirus infection in the community with most people not yet vaccinated.

Remember as well, the vaccine can take up to a few weeks to start working and offering immunity, so protection from vaccines is never immediate in any case, and also it does not necessarily prevent you from catching coronavirus, but should help to stop it becoming a more severe disease should you catch it. Also it is not yet known whether the vaccine stops you from transmitting the virus if you are do get infected.

Therefore please still follow the rules, even if you (or your family and friends) have had the covid jab.

I've got/had covid, when can I get the jab?

If you've recently tested positive for coronavirus – even if you have no symptoms – you should wait until 4 weeks after the date you were tested before getting the vaccine. This applies to any patient, including those in care homes who have recently developed covid.

What's this I'm hearing about blood clots and the AstraZeneca vaccine?

UPDATE May 7, 2020: there is a likely (but not yet proven) link between AZ and blood clots. In the UK there have been cases reported after a first dose of AZ amongst 20 million doses given, equating to a risk of approximately 10 per million. There is as yet, no proven link with age, gender or pre-existing medical conditions.

The benefits of vaccination still massively outweighs the risk. 10 per million equates to a 0.001% risk of developing a blood clot. To put this into perspective, if you catch COVID-19. your risk of:

• Developing a blood clot on the lung is 7.8%
• Developing a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot on the leg) is 11.2%
• Being admitted to intensive care with clots is 23%
• Having a stroke is 1.6%
• Developing low platelets is 30%

However, the risks potentially outweigh benefits for younger people where there is low risk of exposure to COVID-19 (with current circulating levels of COVID-19 we are just below medium).

Current recommendations are:

• Over 40s or those with medical conditions should have any available vaccine, including AZ vaccine
• Healthy 18-39 year olds it is preferable* to have a different covid vaccine from AZ vaccine
• If you have already had the first dose of AZ without problems, you should receive the 2nd dose as planned
• If you have a history of major blood clots occurring against a background of low platelets then you cannot have AZ vaccine and will be identified at the point of vaccination
• Other than the above, no vaccine choice will be offered

*NB: the term is preferable, that is, you can still accept the AZ vaccine after discussion of risk/benefits with their vaccinator.

We will update this page as and when we receive new information.

GOV.UK official guidance

GOV.UK leaflet on COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting

How do I demonstrate my covid vaccination (covid passport) status

You will be able to access your COVID-19 vaccination status through the NHS App from May 17, 2021. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will be shown within the app. You are advised to register with the app before booking any international travel.

If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 from May 17, 2021 and ask for a letter to be posted to you.

GOV.UK link to guidance

Information on the NHS App

How do I apply for covid pass medical exemption?

People who are unable to be vaccinated and/or tested for medical reasons can now apply for proof that they have a medical reason why they should not be vaccinated and/or tested.

There are in fact very few medical conditions that would exempt you from having covid vaccination. Some examples are below:

• people receiving end of life care
• people with severe impairments where vaccination cannot be provided through reasonable adjustments
• a person with severe allergies to all currently available vaccines
• those who have had an adverse reaction to the first dose (for example, myocarditis), please note having normal post-vaccination symptoms like temperature, chills, aching are not adverse reactions

If you get this proof of medical exemption you’ll be able to use the NHS COVID Pass wherever you need to prove your COVID-19 status within England.

In order to apply for a covid pass medical exemption, please ring 119 to ask for an application form. Once you get the form, fill it in then return the form to the relevant clinician on the form; this might be the GP, specialist or midwife.

More details about the service and the process of application can be found on the link below.

GOV.UK link to covid pass medical exemption

Can you give me my second jab before 8 weeks as I'm going on holiday?

We do not determine the time interval between jabs. It has already been decided by JCVI that the interval of eight weeks allows for a better immune response that will ensure maximum benefit and long-lasting protection. We have no influence on changing this time interval.

The only medical exception to the above is for those expecting to start immunosuppressant medication (such as chemotherapy), where the second dose may be given earlier to give a patient's immune system a better chance to respond to the covid jab before their treatment starts - your hospital consultant will advise on this.

Do you have any information on the covid vaccine boosters yet

Please see our new section on this topic.

What if I don't want the jab?

We strongly encourage all eligible patients to have the covid jab, in line with national guidance to protect not only yourselves but also those around you. However if you are certain that you do not want the jab, please ring us and let us know and we will exclude you from any invites for the jab.

Will you do me an exemption letter so that I don't need to have the covid jab?

No. We do not provide such letters. All patients are recommended to have the jab unless it is medically contraindicated, for instance, allergy to specific ingredient in the vaccine. Even in this case, a GP letter is not required. Being anxious about needles or about having the jab is not a medical contraindication.

I have a problem with my covid vaccination status for covid jab(s) that were given elsewhere - what do I do?

We are not able to correct any mistakes, missed recordings, misspellings or other errors arising from covid jab(s) that we have not given. We can only correct issues for jabs we gave either here at Ivy Grove Surgery or in the Church Farm building. In all other circumstances, for covid jab(s) given elsewhere, please do not contact us if you have an issue. You must contact the venue where you had your covid jab(s) and ask them to correct the issue for you.

The following are examples of issues we can do absolutely nothing about and have no responsibilty for chasing up or fixing:

• Had covid jab(s) elsewhere and not showing in the NHS App
• Had 1st covid jab elsewhere and not showing in NHS App so cannot book 2nd covid jab
• Had only had one covid jab elsewhere, but NHS App showing had both covid jabs
• Mistakes made during NHS App registration or covid booking appointment, e.g., misspelt name
• Had covid jab(s) in Scotland or Wales and not showing in the NHS App
• Anything to do with covid jab(s) given elsewhere

Please contact 119 and ask for a referral to the Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS).

If you believe that you have missing or incorrect COVID-19 vaccination data for a vaccine that we did not give you, please call 119 and ask the call agent to make a referral to the VDRS team on you behalf. The VDRS team will then call you back within 5 working days.

If you have a problem with your covid vaccination status for covid jab(s) that we have given you, then by all means do get in touch and we will do our best to fix it.

I have another query - please can I call you?

We would kindly ask that you review the extensive FAQs document from Joined Up Care Derbyshire and check the very useful leaflets below before you give us a call - we remain as busy as ever dealing with ongoing clinical work during this pandemic and calling us about this will block urgent calls coming in.

Do you have anything I can print off and read at my leisure?

Please see leaflets below.

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COVID VACCINATION BOOSTERS SHORTCUT ivy.gs/covid-booster

Eligible group

Patients aged 18 years and over, health and social care workers and those with underlying medical conditions will be offered a booster dose of covid vaccination. Those eligible are basically cohorts 1 to 12 of the covid vaccination original groupings.

Boosters are being offered at least 3 months after the last dose.

You will receive an invite from either the NHS itself via letter or email, or from us, by text/phone message. You can choose either to follow the instructions on the NHS invite and book the jab for a mass vaccination centre, or you can wait for us to invite you to the local vaccination centre here at Church Farm.

PLEASE NOTE: due to the acceleration of the booster campaign due to emergence of omicron variant, much larger numbers of patients have become suddenly eligible. In order to work through this backlog as effectively as possible, priority will be given in age order (older first) and length of time since second jab (longer first).

Covid booster vs. covid 3rd primary

Some patients who are immunocompromised with specific conditions or who were immunocompromised at the time of their 1st or 2nd jab will need a '3rd primary' jab as opposed to a 'booster'.

It is not possible to identify such patients reliably using in-practice searches, however NHS Digital will identify such patients and the NHS will invite them directly. Hospital consultants caring for such patients may also advise on suitability for a 3rd primary jab.

If you are one such patient receiving an invite, but you have already had a 'booster', please do not worry. The invite letter can be ignored. The jab you have just had will count as the '3rd primary' and you will then be invited to have a booster (4th jab) at the appropriate time.

If you are a patient receiving an invite for a 3rd primary, or you have a consultant letter asking you to have a 3rd primary and you have not had a 3rd covid jab yet, then please contact us and we will book you in for the 3rd primary jab.

Please note that within the medical record, all covid jabs received after the 1st and 2nd doses are coded as 'boosters', whether the 3rd dose was intended to be a '3rd primary' or not.

More info

GOV: covid booster vaccine

GOV: covid booster leaflet

NHS: covid booster vaccine

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WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Leaflets

Other sites

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