Covid Vaccine Clinic Information. Please also check our News Posts for regular updates.
Please do not contact the surgery to book a Covid-19 Vaccination or ask to be put on a reserve list – we will contact you when it is your turn.
The information below is for patients that have been contacted and are booked in to one of vaccination clinics.
Clinic Information Letter
We are delighted that you will be attending our Covid Vaccination Clinic, please make sure you have reminders set for your appointment. We expect your 2nd dose to be given at 8-11 weeks, we will contact you to arrange this around 6 – 8 weeks from your first dose, please wait to hear from us.
UPDATE 10.5.21 The JCVI have now advised that patients under 40 years should be offered an alternative to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine where possible. We are now receiving a weekly supply of Pfizer for first doses so are able to offer this moving forward. The advice is for ALL second doses of Oxford AstraZeneca to go ahead, unless you suffered a blood clot following your first dose, in which case please discuss this with your GP.
Proving your vaccine status – From the 17th of May you will be able to demonstrate your vaccine status on the NHS App. The NHS App is free to download and checks your identity virtually, saving you a trip to the surgery. For help setting up, please visit: NHS App help and support – NHS (www.nhs.uk) If you do not have a smart phone or are unable to use the NHS App you can request your vaccination status in paper form by calling 119 – PLEASE do not call the surgery, we are unable to provide this.
Pre-screening – PLEASE READ
You are unsuitable for a Covid-19 Vaccine if you have had a confirmed case of Covid in the past 4 weeks, or have had a serious allergic reaction (as in anaphylactic shock) to a vaccine in the past, or have taken part in a covid vaccine trial. You should not have any other vaccines 7 days before, or 7 days after, your Covid-19 vaccination. Pregnant / breastfeeding women will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. If you take anticoagulation or blood thinning medication, please let the vaccinator know on the day.
Location reminder
Rosewood Hall, Pangbourne Club, 1 Whitchurch Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7BS
Important Information regarding the Vaccine you will be receiving.
Please read the vaccine patient information below.
Clinic Safety Information
- You must not attend if you or any of your household have ANY of the covid symptoms (temp OR cough OR loss OR change in taste OR smell) within the past 10 days, or if you’ve been told to isolate by track & trace – PLEASE call us to cancel so we can offer your slot to someone else.
- Please arrive on time, not early, & come alone if possible, carers are allowed if you need support
- Please wear a face covering / mask, apply hand gels on entry, keep to one way system and maintain social distancing at all times
- Wear clothing that allows for easy access to your upper arm
- Do not bring unnecessary bags or belongings to the clinic
Clinic Information
Parking
Please note the car parks at Pangbourne Club are PAY AND DISPLAY. You may wish to consider being driven / picked up by a family member or anyone in your support bubble. Please walk where possible.
How long will I wait?
We will be working as quickly as we possibly can be mindful of social distancing and vaccine requirements. We hope to keep queues to a minimum but please do come prepared for inclement weather.
To avoid long queues, you should aim to arrive at the building entrance no more than five minutes before your appointment time. When in the queue please maintain social distancing.
Whilst we aim to keep to schedule, we will give priority to those with a disability and invite them in on arrival (subject to capacity). This may mean a slight delay for some.
Duration
We aim to get you through the vaccination process within 5 minutes. Following this you will be required to wait in an observation area for 15 minutes if you have received the Pfizer vaccine. No need for observation following the Oxford/AZ vaccine but you must not drive for 15 minutes after.
Will I be safe?
We are following all government advice to keep our patients and ourselves safe. Staff will be wearing PPE in line with PHE guidance. We will be operating a one-way system through the building, hand gel will be provided and staff available to provide guidance and assistance
I have a Carer for someone in this cohort, can they have the vaccine?
Unfortunately not. Carers will be invited at a later date when their cohort is due.
Lawful Data Sharing
I understand that by attending the Covid Vaccine Clinic my data will be shared my GP Practice, NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority.
The legal basis for sharing this information is:
Your name, address and information about your Covid vaccination will be sent to your GP practice so they can update your health record
This an exciting time for our staff and our community. We look forward to seeing you for your vaccination and anticipate a healthy and happy 2021!
Warmest regards,
The Practice Team.
Information specific to Oxford / Astra Zeneca Vaccine: Information for UK recipients on COVID 19 Vaccine AstraZeneca – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Information specific to Pfizer / BioNtech Vaccine: Information for UK recipients on Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Covid-19 Vaccination Information Leaflet
This leaflet explains about the COVID-19 vaccination, who is eligible and who needs to have the vaccine to protect them from Coronavirus.
What is COVID-19 or Coronavirus?
COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2. It was first identified in late 2019. It is very infectious and can lead to severe respiratory disease.
Many people who are infected may not have any symptoms or only have mild symptoms. These commonly start with cough, fever, headache and loss of taste or smell.
Some people will feel very tired, have aching muscles, sore throat, diarrhoea and vomiting, fever and confusion. A small number of people then go on to have severe disease which may require hospitalisation or admission to intensive care.
Overall fewer than 1 in 100 people who are infected will die from COVID-19, but in those over 75 years of age this rises to 1 in 10.
There is no cure for COVID-19 although some newly tested treatments do help to reduce the risk of complications.
About the types of vaccine
In the UK, there are two types of COVID-19 vaccine to be used once they are approved. They both require two doses to provide the best protection.
Who should have the COVID-19 vaccines?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert group, has recommended that the NHS offers these vaccines first to those at highest risk of catching the infection and of suffering serious complications if they catch the infection.
This includes older adults, frontline health and social care workers, care home residents and staff, and those with certain clinical conditions. When more vaccine becomes available, the vaccines will be offered to other people at risk as soon as possible.
Am I at increased risk from COVID-19 infection?
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.
You should 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
The vaccine will also be offered to adults with conditions such as:
- a blood cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
- diabetes
- dementia
- a heart problem
- a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
- a kidney disease
- a liver disease
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as HIV infection, steroid medication, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
- rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis
- liver disease
- having had an organ transplant
- having had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- a neurological or muscle wasting condition
- a severe or profound learning disability
- a problem with your spleen, e.g sickle cell disease, or having had your spleen removed
- are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)
- are severely mentally ill
All people who are in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable group will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Whether you are offered the vaccine may depend on the severity of your condition. Your GP can advise on whether you are eligible.
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.
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 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. See page 11.
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 do I do next?
After you have had the first dose you need to plan to attend your second appointment. You will received a text invite or phone call from us to book your second dose nearer the time it is due, currently 8 – 11 weeks. Your second dose appointment is SUBJECT TO CHANGE should NHSE and the CMO’s change the dose schedule again, or supply of the vaccine is disrupted. We have no control over either of these factors, but will ensure we keep any affected patients informed of changes to their second dose.
It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection.
What should I do if I am not well when it is my next 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 you still need to:
- practise social distancing
- wear a face mask
- wash your hands carefully and frequently
- follow the current guidance www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Please read the product information leaflet for more details on your vaccine, including possible side effects, by searching Coronavirus Yellow Card.
You can also report suspected side effects on the same website or by downloading the Yellow Card app.
coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
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