Coronavirus Information

Please be aware that it is now personal choice to wear a mask at the Practice however we would strongly recommend patients with any cold like symptoms to wear one where possible.  Masks are avaliable at front reception along with hand sanitiser for patient use at all times. 

Any patients who have been advised they are "Red" patients will need to continue to follow the protocol of ringing reception from your car when you have arrived quoting your car details so the GP can come and greet you before you enter the Practice. 

 

Winter Booster 2024 - Please click here for a guide to the Covid Winter Booster 2024.  The Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine will be offered from October to people aged 65 and over, residents in care homes for older people and anyone aged 6 months and over in a clinical risk group to protect them ahead of winter.  You should be offered an appointment between October and December, with those at highest risk being called in first.  You should have your vaccine at least 3 months after your last one. If you are eligible for a flu vaccine, you may be able to have them at the same time – or you can have them separately. 

 

The national booking system is now open for bookings for the COVID-19 Autumn booster programme.  The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine.  The NHS is sending texts, emails, NHS App messages or letters to those who are eligible, but patients do not have to wait for the invite to book. 

 

Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

 

After 19 December 2024, you can no longer book a COVID-19 vaccination using this online service.  You will also not be able to book a COVID-19 vaccination through the 119 service.

 

Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site - NHS

 

Please use the above link to find your nearest walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site after 19 December 2024.  Winter COVID-19 vaccinations will not be available after 31 January 2025.

COVID-19 vaccinations will be available again in Spring. The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.

 

There are different ways to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine:

• booking online
• calling 119 for free
• going to a walk in COVID-19 vaccination site
• through your care home

 

Please note the Covid pass is no longer avaliable on the NHS app.

 

Our phone lines are very busy; please help us to keep lines open for people needing to make appointments for other health matters. 

If you have questions about the vaccine please read the information below. 

Why is the vaccine not available from our 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 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?

If you or someone in your immediate household has symptoms of the virus it is encouraged that you self-isolate and take a test. Your vaccine can be re-arranged after your self-isolation. For patients with potential contagious viruses you will be treated as a "Red Patient", a clinician will advise you of the protocol when they book you in for an appointment.

If I’ve had Covid-19 do I need the vaccines?

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. 

When will the second dose be given?

You can have the second dose of the vaccine 8 weeks after your first dose.

When can I have my booster dose?

You will be eligible for your booster dose 3 months after the date of your second 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

Patients may have received a letter identifying them as being at high risk of contracting Coronavirus.  Please see below a list of problems which identifies patients as being in this high risk group:

• People with a solid organ transplant such as a kidney or liver transplant
• People with specific cancers
• People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
• People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
• People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
• People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors.
• People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.
• People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD. See below.
• People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell)
• People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection
• People who are pregnant with significant congenital heart disease
• All patients on the following medications: Azathioprine, Mycophenolate (both types), Cyclosporine, Sirolimus, Tacrolimus.
• Patients with diabetes with HbA1c greater than 75, recent diabetic ketoacidosis or poor medication adherence;
• Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) who have required hospitalisation in the last 12 months or patients who have required 2 or more courses of steroids and/or antibiotics in the last 12 months;
• Patients with asthma with a history of hospitalisation in the last 12 months or ever been admitted to intensive care;
• Patients with significant heart failure which has required hospitalisation for their heart failure within the last 12 months;
• Patients with multiple long-term conditions;
• Patients who have had a splenectomy;
• Patients taking continuous oral corticosteroids of the equivalent of 20 mg of prednisolone or more for over 4 weeks;
• Patients taking immunosuppressive or immunomodulating medication such as cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, leflunomide, methotrexate, mycophenolate. It is expected that patients taking these medications will be under a shared-care protocol with hospital specialist colleagues and a risk stratification approach should be taken. Advice can be sought from the relevant specialist. Guidance is available from the British Society of Rheumatology https://www.rheumatology.org.uk/news-policy/details/Covid19-Coronavirus-update-members
• Other patients that the general practitioner considers would be at high risk such as patients with severe dementia, cognitive impairment.  

 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19