Coronavirus Information

Covid Vaccinations

We will be running a Spring Booster covid vaccination clinics for patients aged 75 years and over and patients aged over 18 who are immunosuppressed.

Text invitations will be sent out during the first week of May and will take several days to send to all eligible patients. If you have not received a text invite by Thursday 11th May please call the surgery from 12th May  to book a covid vaccination appointment.  Please call after 11am.

The clinic will take place on Saturday 20th May 2023.

We appreciate patients may wish to get their covid vaccination at another location or at another time. To book a vaccination appointment at another site please call 119 or book using the following link book coronavirus vaccination or visit the Kent and Medway website to find a covid vaccination centre.

Vaccine

The vaccine available will be the Sanofi VidPrevtyn Beta® vaccine. Information about this vaccine can be found at:

gov.uk/Sanofi Pasteur

gov.uk/Green Book

Please note we are not able to select the vaccine but are given vaccine by NHS England so please do not call the surgery to enquire about alternative vaccines.

 

Our phone lines are very busy; please can we ask for your assistance by not calling with vaccine queries as this causes huge pressure on our already busy phone lines. Thank you for helping to keep lines open for people needing to make appointments for other health matters. 

 

Covid Vaccination Status

The practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status. Please do not contact the practice about your COVID-19 vaccination status unless you have been advised to by the 119 service.

How to access your Covid 19 vaccination certificate

From the 17th May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available through the NHS COVID Pass service from:

  • the NHS App which you can download from app stores.
  • the NHS Website
  • 119 - by requesting a paper letter 

You will need to register to use the online services, if you have not already. It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified. 

If you cannot access the online services, and you have had both doses of the vaccine, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel outside the UK in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take up to 7 working days for the letter to arrive.

When you're planning your travel, you should check the latest information on demonstrating your covid-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is enough time to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are due to travel. 

Using the NHS App

To use the NHS App, you must be:

If you’re aged 13 to 15, you’ll need to contact your GP surgery to request access to GP online services before you can use the app.

Find out more about the NHS App 

Telling the NHS about COVID-19 Vaccinations (given outside of England)

You can email evidence to the NHS about any COVID-19 vaccinations you or your child have had outside England so your vaccination record can be updated.

It can take up to 10 working days to update your record.

Click here for more information

FAQ & General Advice

Where do I find my NHS Number?

If you are invited to book a Covid vaccination appointment at a central vaccination hub you may need your NHS Number. You can use the following website to find your NHS Number if you don't know it: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

Why is the vaccine not available from my own surgery?

Across the country GPs are working in groups of practices to provide the Covid-19 vaccine. We understand the people would like to get the vaccine from their own practice but unfortunately this is not always possible at this time. If this changes we will update this information. 

Should I come for a vaccine if I have symptoms of Covid-19?

No. If you or someone in your immediate household has symptoms of the virus it is essential that you self-isolate and book a test. Your vaccine can be re-arranged after your self-isolation. 

Do I need the vaccine if I've had Covid-19?

Yes, getting vaccinated is just as important for those who have already had Covid-19 as it is for those who haven’t. 

How soon after having Covid-19 can I have the vaccine?

It is recommended that people wait 4 weeks after recovering from Covid-19 or from being tested positive but not experiencing symptoms. We will rearrange invitations if you are in this situation when first invited to have the vaccine. 

Can I pay for the vaccines privately?

No, all Covid-19 vaccines are being provided free by the NHS. If you see any offers to get the vaccine privately it will be a scam and you must not contact them. 

Find out more: For more information about the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in Kent and Medway please visit www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/covid19vaccine 

 

General information can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

 Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

  • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

 Information remains subject to regular change and updates. More information can be found on the NHS website.

Local Support

If you need information and/or help with anything click the links below for more information:

Your Covid Recovery

NHS Health at Home Toolkit

Information for Hamstreet and Ashford Rural Area

If you need help getting to a Covid vaccination appointment Ashford Voluntary Car Scheme could help: https://ashfordvc.org.uk/services or email transport@ashfordvc.org.uk or contact Owen on 01233 633219:

Click on the link below or a list of support oganisations in East Kent: