The Covid-19 vaccination programme continues apace; last week we gave nearly 1100 first and second doses.
This week (commencing 22 March) we will be focussing on giving more patients their second dose. On Wednesday 24 March we were at Morland House Surgery in Wheatley giving all patients who were vaccinated on 9 January their second Pfizer Biontech dose. On Friday 26 March we will be giving all patients who received their first Oxford AstraZeneca in early January their second dose. This includes most of our Care Home patients and staff as well a number of housebound patients.
Please note that any patient over the age of 50 is now eligible to receive their first Covid vaccination dose. We expect to receive more Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines in the week commencing 29 March to vaccinate those that have not yet received their first dose but patients can also book at other vaccination sites via https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ If you do book with us, please let us know if you cannot attend to avoid wasting that dose. If you do not wish to have the vaccine, please let us know so that we can mark you as declined on your record.
We expect that all patients in Cohorts 1-9 (Over 50s and those with underlying health conditions) will be offered their first dose by the middle of April. The practice will remain responsible for ensuring that all patient vaccinated by us receive their second dose in the coming months – normally 11 weeks after the first. We are currently in discussion with NHS England and other agencies regarding whether the practice will continue to be involved in vaccinating patients below the age of 50. We are keen to provide this service to our local community but this is a significant additional commitment on top of our existing workload.
Please support the vaccination efforts by continuing to wear a mask, practicing good hand hygiene and observing social distancing. Stay Safe. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.
