10 Dec 2020
With the first Covid vaccines happening in hospital hubs around the country, the NHS in St Helens is getting ready to begin vaccinations. Find out more here.
The first patients in England began to be vaccinated against Covid-19 on Tuesday 8 December at hospital hubs around the country. This vaccine roll out will be complemented in the coming weeks by local vaccination services provided by GP practices.
GP practices have been working with St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group and are fully prepared and ready to roll out the vaccine when appropriate. Patients do not need to contact their surgery as they will be contacted directly when it is their turn to have the vaccine.
The vaccine will be offered in age and risk order:
- people aged 80 and over
- people who live in care homes, frontline health and care workers
- people aged 75 and over
- people aged 70 and over
- adults on the NHS shielded patients list
- people aged 65 and over
- adults under 65 with a long term condition
Those aged 50-64 will be offered the vaccine later.
If you are not in one of the groups above you will have to wait until more supplies of the vaccine become available.
The vaccine is given as two injections, 21 days apart, with the second dose being a booster. Immunity begins to kick in after the first dose but reaches its full effect seven days after the second dose.
People with a history of significant allergic reactions to medicines, food or vaccine should not have the vaccine at this time.
Dr Hilary Flett has filmed a short video which answers some of the questions you may have about the vaccine:
Detailed information on the vaccine is available here:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine
As well as a patient leaflet which can be downloaded:
Covid-19 vaccination guide for adults
The Covid vaccination is only available through the NHS to eligible groups and is a free vaccination.
Covid Vaccine Survey
Please complete our short survey on the vaccine which will help us plan delivery of the vaccination programme:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Z7RPIN/