The Harthill PCN COVID VACCINATION PROGRAMME
As a network we have been running vaccination sessions at Humber NHS Lecture Theatre, Willerby Hill, Beverley Road, Willerby HU10 6ED since 04 January 2021
Appointments have been arranged by our network practices directly with their patients to attend the sessions in the nationally mandated Cohorts 1 to 9 (see below for details of who is in these Cohorts) - and our first sessions were with the Pfizer vaccine.
From March onwards we have been offering the Astra Zeneca vaccine.
After completing first and second doses totalling approximately 20,000 we are about to complete our sessions. For patients aged 18yrs to 49yrs please see below Cohorts 10+ to find out how Humber NHS Trust is continung to provide vaccinations to this cohort.
October 2021
In additional to first/second covid vaccination there is now an additional need for some groups of patients to get a booster dose or, depending on your health condition, to get a third covid vaccination shot.
Full details of who should get what are listed on the government website : Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
As well as advising who is eligible for either a booster or a third dose, you can also find out how and where you can go to get your jab as, in some instances, you can book your appointment.
Some patients - for example, those who might be classed as immunocompromised - will be receiving letters to tell them to contact the consultant or GP. Please be aware that none of the GP practices in Harthill PCN are delivering these doses. We will take your details and match them to our own information and then pass your contact details to the locally appointed provider.
For Harthill PCN this is a pharmacy group called Rimmingtons and they will contact patients directly to make arrangements for their appointment.
This also included housebound patients and care home residents and staff. The roll out in our area is due mid-November onwards.
August 2021
Additional cohorts were announced - including young people - who should now receive the covid vaccination.
Details of these cohorts are fully listed on the government website (click here) and arrangements for there vaccination differs depending on age and eligibility.
Generally speaking, the vaccination service is now managed by the national booking service - limks to which are also on the government website.
Eligible patients will be contacted by the national booking service either by text or letter - and details of how and when to book your vaccine will be included in this text/letter.
This is not being run by your GP practice so please use the link above and wait for your invitation. Please do not contact your practice directly - they will not be able to influence the process.
06 July 2021
Do you need an NHS Covid Passport ?
The details about how to obtain an NHS Covid passport are on the Government website : click here to access
You cannot get this from your GP so please do not ring your practice
All the information you need is on this website - including how to apply, when to apply and whether or not you need a paper version or a digital version.
27 May 2021
We have completed our vaccination sessions for second dose vaccines to all our Cohort 1 to 9
Essentially this means we are now ended delivery of Covid vaccines to all 50yr and older plus any younger patients who are either classed as extremely clinically vulnerable or who work in healthcare or care homes
Cohorts 10+ (everybody 18yrs to under 50yrs)
Harthill PCN is not continuing their vaccination programme for the Cohorts 10+ but has made an arrangement with Humber NHS FT to stand up and run vaccination sessions for these patient cohorts.
These will be managed by the National Booking Service and patients will be written to - or text messaged - when they become eligible to book an appointment.
Cohort 10+ covers all patients under 50yrs old to 18yrs not already included in Cohorts 2, 5 or 6 : which means anyone who is not clinically vulnerable and does not work in a care home or health care setting.
When you are contacted by the NHS to say you’re eligible for the (COVID-19) coronavirus vaccine, please make sure to book your appointment.
To book, use the NHS National Booking System (NBS) by calling 119 (7am-11pm Monday-Sunday) or book online at: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination
Frequently asked questions and answers about the COVID vaccine can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
The MHRA, the expert body on vaccine safety and effectiveness in the UK, has been clear that the vaccines are safe and effective.
WHO was included in COHORTS 1 to 9
The government issued the following guidance (you can view this online here > COVID-19 vaccination: guide for older adults - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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 2 types of COVID-19 vaccine to be used once they are approved. Although they both suggest people should receive 2 doses to provide the maximum protection the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has agreed that everybody will benefit from having one dose so the priority for initial delivery is to get as many people as possible vaccinated with a first dose - and the second dose will not be expected to be given for up to 3 months after dose one .
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.
Are you 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:
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an adult living or working in a care home for the elderly
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a frontline healthcare worker
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a frontline social care worker
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a carer working in domiciliary care looking after older adults
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aged 65 years and over
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younger adults with long-term clinical conditions (see conditions below)
The vaccine will also be offered to adults with conditions such as:
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a blood cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
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diabetes
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dementia
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a heart problem
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a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
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a kidney disease
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a liver disease
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lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as HIV infection, steroid medication, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
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rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis
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have had an organ transplant
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had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
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a neurological or muscle wasting condition
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a severe or profound learning disability
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a problem with your spleen, example sickle cell disease, or having had your spleen removed
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are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)
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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 practice can advise on whether you are eligible - but as a general rule, if you are eligible for the flu vaccine you will be included in the list above. .
Those 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.
Women of childbearing age, those who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding should read the detailed information available on NHS.UK.
Will the vaccine protect you?
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.
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:
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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
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feeling tired
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headache
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general aches, or mild flu like symptoms
Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for 2 to 3 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 online through the Yellow Card scheme.
Do you need the COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve had the flu vaccine?
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 you 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:
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a new continuous cough
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a high temperature
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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. Further information on symptoms is available on NHS.UK.
What to do next
After you have had the first dose you need to plan to attend your second appointment. You should have a record card with your next appointment written on it for an appointment in 21 or 28 days.
It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection.
Keep your record card safe and make sure you keep your next appointment to get your second dose.
If you are not well when it is your 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 you give COVID-19 to anyone, after having the vaccine?
The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and 2 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:
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practice social distancing
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wear a face mask
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wash your hands carefully and frequently
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follow the current guidance
How COVID-19 is spread
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.
Further information
Please read the product information leaflet for more details on your vaccine, including possible side effects, on the Coronavirus Yellow Card website. You can also report suspected side effects on the same website or by downloading the Yellow Card app.
Further information is available on NHS.UK.