Covid-19 Update
We are open and here to help
Although it feels like life is normal, COVID-19 is still with us.
We are open, but we are still taking precautions to make sure everyone is safe.
- Please try to wear a face mask if you are able to when inside the building.
- Staff will continue wearing face masks when seeing you
- Please try to keep a safe distance from others to help prevent spread
- Please use the hand sanitiser stations in the building to wash your hands
- Please do not attend the surgery if you are having new symptoms of COVID-19 (new and persistent cough, temperature >38C, loss of sense of taste to smell)
- Get vaccinated!
If you have any queries about COVID-19 please click here for the updated NHS guidelines
Refer to NHS 111 Online to check if you have coronavirus symptoms. If you have severe COVID-19 symptoms and need further advice, call NHS 111- not the surgery.
If you are having to self isolate at home, please click here for information to help keep you safe.
How can I book an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine?
JULY 2022 UPDATE: We are aiming to start the rollout of booster vaccines for those at risk in Autumn 2022. Please check the practice website for further updates in the near future.
Walk- in centres for first, second and booster doses are available at various walk-in vaccination centres. Please click here for more information.
If you have any queries regarding Coronavirus vaccines please click here
If you have received a letter from the national booking system about a vaccination, please click here if you require further information. You can view our FAQs here. New guidance has been issued for the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, please click here to find out more information.
How do I show proof of COVID-19 vaccination status
We are unable to issue a COVID-19 vaccination certificate at the practice.
If you are travelling abroad, please click here for further information.
Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHSapp, which is also valuable for accessing your health records and ordering repeat prescriptions.
The NHSapp can be downloaded from https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-app/id1388411277 for iPhone or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhs.online.nhsonline for android.
Alternatively you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you
Should I have the vaccine?
Coronavirus can affect anyone. If you are an older adult and have a long-term health condition, COVID-19 can be very serious and, in some cases, fatal.
We recommend you have the COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
- an adult living or working in a care home for the elderly
- a frontline healthcare worker
- a frontline social care worker
- a carer working in domiciliary care looking after older adults aged 65 years and over
- younger adults with long-term clinical conditions
Will I test positive on COVID-19 viral tests
The recently authorized and recommended vaccines do not cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.
If your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.
Who cannot have the vaccine?
The vaccines do not contain living organisms, and so are safe for people with disorders of the immune system.
These people may not respond so well to the vaccine. A very small number of people who are at risk of COVID-19 cannot have the vaccine — this includes people who have severe allergies to a component in the vaccine.
Women of childbearing age, those who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding should read the detailed information on www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination.
I have already been ill with COVID-19, will I still benefit from getting vaccinated?
Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people may be advised to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before.
At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. The immunity someone gains from having an infection, called natural immunity, varies from person to person. Some early evidence suggests natural immunity may not last very long.
Will the vaccine protect me?
The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. It may take a few weeks for your body to build up protection from the vaccine.
The vaccine has been shown to be effective and no safety concerns were seen in studies of more than 20,000 people.
Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective — some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.
Will the vaccine have side effects?
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short- term, and not everyone gets them. Even if you do have symptoms after the first dose, you still need to have the second dose. Although you may get some protection from the first dose, having the second dose will give you the best protection against the virus.
Very common side effects include:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1-2 days after the vaccine
- feeling tired °
- headache
- general aches, or mild flu like symptoms
Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection. You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice 4 in the packaging) to help you feel better.
Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111
If you do seek advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them the vaccination card if possible) so that they can assess you properly. You can also report suspected side effects to vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme.
I have had my flu vaccine; do I need the COVID-19 vaccine as well?
The flu vaccine does not protect you from COVID-19. As you are eligible for both vaccines you should have them both, but normally separated by at least a week.
Can I catch COVID-19 from the vaccine?
You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine but it is possible to have caught COVID-19 and not realise you have the symptoms until after your vaccination appointment.
The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in your normal sense of taste or smell
If you have the symptoms above, stay at home and arrange to have a test. If you need more information on symptoms visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/ coronavirus-COVID-19/symptoms
What I do if I am not well when I have my vaccine appointment?
If you are unwell, it is better to wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine, but you should try to have it as soon as possible. You should not attend a vaccine appointment if you are self-isolating, waiting for a COVID-19 test or unsure if you are fit and well.
Can I give COVID-19 to anyone, after I have had the vaccine?
The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and two doses will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. We do not yet know whether it will stop you from catching and passing on the virus. So, it is important to follow the guidance in your local area to protect those around you.
To protect yourself and your family, friends and colleagues we recommend you:
- practise social distancing
- wear a face mask
- wash your hands carefully and frequently
- follow the current guidance www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Remember COVID-19 is spread through droplets breathed out from the nose or mouth, particularly when speaking or coughing. It can also be picked up by touching your eyes, nose and mouth after contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
Vaccination, helping to protect those most vulnerable. If you need more information on the COVID-19 vaccination, please visit: www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination
Further information and how you can help us
We will share further information with you as it becomes available. In the meantime, there are three things people can do to help:
- Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine - we will contact you when it’s the right time to you to have yours
- Please act on your invite when it comes, and make sure you attend your appointments when you arrange them
- Please continue to abide by all the social distancing and hand hygiene guidance, which will still save lives.
