The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme is now underway and is starting to be rolled out in GP-led vaccination centres. The information below answers some of patients’ key questions about getting the vaccine.
- When will I be getting the vaccine?
To protect those who are the most as risk first, the vaccine is initially being offered to patients aged 80 and over. More information about how the vaccine will be rolled out to people in order of priority, starting with those who most need protecting from the virus, is in the Why do I have to wait? leaflet.
Vaccinations are underway in the Watford and Three Rivers areas for the first eligible groups. Patients need two doses of the vaccine 21 days apart.
- How will I be invited for an appointment?
GP practices are working through our lists of eligible patients and we will contact you to invite you to book your appointment when it is your turn. You will need to book an appointment for both your first and second dose.
Please DO NOT contact surgery to try to make an appointment before you hear from us. This will allow our staff to focus on helping patients needing medical help as well as starting to contact patients about vaccine appointments when we’re able to do so. Practice staff are not currently able to give you any more information than we have provided here.
- Where will I be getting the vaccine?
General Practices are working collaboratively to run local vaccination centres. Together, our teams bring years of experience and knowledge delivering vaccination programmes. The vaccination centre for this practice is Colne Surgery in Rickmansworth and this is where you will go for your vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine is safe and highly effective, but it is complex to move, store and prepare and so can only be given in vaccination centres that meet particular requirements.
- Will housebound and care home patients be able to have the vaccine at home in the same way as for the flu vaccine.
We will be making arrangements to offer the Covid-19 vaccine in people’s homes and in care homes for people who are unable to get to a vaccination centre.
We can’t confirm when that might be as this may have to wait for supply of the right type of vaccine. This is because only some vaccines can be transported between people’s homes.
You can also find more information about the vaccine on the NHS.UK website
