Getting the Vaccination
In line with the government announcement any patients aged 70 and over and those clinically extremely vulnerable who have not had their first COVID vaccination can obtain it by one of the following methods:
Information for practice websites: Dacorum
Information about local Covid-19 vaccination centres
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?
People in the top priority groups, agreed by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, will get the vaccine first. 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.
The vaccine is being provided first of all for patients aged 80 and over. Vaccinations in the Dacorum area for the first eligible patients will start from the first week of January. Patients need two doses of the vaccine, and they will be delivered approximately 21 days apart.
How will I be invited for an appointment?
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 the GP practice 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 working on this important vaccination programme. GP practice staff are not currently able to give you any more information than we have provided here.
Where will I be getting the vaccine?
Your vaccine will be in a local vaccination centre that is run by local GPs. 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.
There will be one vaccination centre in the Dacorum area. All vaccination centres must be in places that are easy for people to get to. The NHS will announce more details a little closer to the vaccination centre opening and more information will, of course, be provided to patients at the time of booking.
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 housebound or not able to travel.
However, 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.