Covid19 Vaccine Information

Updated:  14th April 2022

Thames Avenue Surgery have taken the decision to opt out of providing the Spring COVID-19 Boosters (fourth vaccine) for our patients.

Currently if you are aged 75 and over; or you live in a care home for older people; or you are aged 12 and over and have a weakened immune system and are required to have a fourth dose, you will be eligible for your vaccine.

Patients are being contacted directly by the NHS and invited to book their Spring Boosters when it is due.   There are many walk in centres available and no appointment is required.   Please use the link below to find out where your nearest walk-in centre is and opening times.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/

New service to help improve COVID-19 vaccine inequalities

The CCG has appointed Involve Kent to provide support to patients who have not yet been vaccinated and may be hesitant about vaccination or underrepresented in the vaccinated population. Translation in a wide range of languages is also available.

Involve Kent will manage a dedicated telephone helpline and advice service to answer questions from the community relating to vaccine hesitancy, provide assurance, information and signposting to encourage booking and attendance at vaccination centres.

The service is not clinical and does not provide medical advice, but refers to NHS accredited and assured information sources. The service has been launched from Monday 28 June and operatse between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.  The helpline telephone number is 0330 320 4444.

Public Health England have produced a very helpful factsheet which addresses concerns on vaccine safety – see the link below:-

2021.05.12_Vaccines_Q_A_Factsheet_A4_Web

Thank you for your understanding.

Checking Vaccination status with the NHS App

People who wish to travel abroad can now use the NHS App to show they have been fully vaccinated.   A full course is currently two doses of any approved COVID-19 vaccine.  Vaccine status will be available from the NHS App which can be downloaded from app stores, with more information available on gov.uk.  The CCG has also published information on it’s website.

If you are unable to access this service and you have had two vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119.   Patients should only call 119 if they have had their second dose more than five working days beforehand.   It may take seven working days for the letter to arrive.

Government and NHS information has made it clear that GP practices cannot provide proof of vaccination status so patients should not contact the surgery.