COVID-19

COVID 19 FAQ’s

• I think I am eligible for a third primary dose – how will I find out if I am, and where can I receive the vaccination?

Answer – Your consultant/specialist will be identifying anyone who is eligible for the third primary dose and should inform you and/or your GP surgery in due course. We are currently in the process of inviting these identified patients to receive their vaccination, but you can also receive your vaccination from other providers by taking the letter from your consultant to the appointment. If you have received confirmation from your consultant that you are eligible for a third primary dose and would like to receive your vaccination at the practice, but have not heard from us, please contact us at Guildhall Surgery or Barrow Surgery.

• Someone I know has been offered a booster vaccination and I am in the same priority or age group – why haven’t I been contacted?

Answer – You will become eligible for a booster vaccination six months after your second dose. Please do not call us to enquire about the availability of a booster dose; our phone lines need to remain open for those in need of medical advice or treatment. The logistics, vaccine supply, and general demand on our primary services will determine the speed at which we can offer the booster vaccination to our patients, but you will be contacted when we are in a position to offer you the vaccination. Should you prefer not to wait for us to contact you, are now eligible, please contact 119 or book online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/. Walk in clinics can be found at the following link https://sneevaccine.org.uk/location-of-walk-in-clinics/

• Can I still get my first or second COVID vaccination?

Answer – Yes. Please contact us, book online or call 119 if you would like to receive either a first or second vaccination.

• I’m housebound. When and how will I receive my booster vaccination?

Answer – If you received your first two vaccinations at home, please be assured that we will be arranging for you to receive your booster dose and/or flu vaccination at home and we (or another service on our behalf) will be in touch. For anyone who was able to attend a local provider for either of their first two doses or their flu vaccination, we ask that you please attend the surgery or another local provider to receive your booster vaccination.

• I need transport to get to my vaccination appointment.

Answer – Please contact The Voluntary Network (thevoluntarynetwork.org) will be running transport to vaccination centres, they will charge their usual fare and they can be contacted on 01638 664304. Alternatively, try the Home but not Alone Service at https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news/show/home-but-not-alone or the Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw service at https://www.bserickshaw.org.uk/.

• I cannot see my vaccinations on the NHS App, or I cannot generate a COVID passport online.

Answer – The practice is unable to support any queries with the NHS App, or the COVID pass unless your COVID vaccination was given or arranged by the practice. The NHS website incorrectly directs the general public to their GP service for all queries, but the recording of vaccinations given elsewhere is completely outside of our control. Please contact the service that administered or arranged your vaccination in the first instance, or alternatively, contact 119. If the practice arranged your vaccination, please contact us.

• My first COVID vaccinations were not given by an NHS organisation. How do I see my vaccinations in the NHS app? Will I receive an invitation for my booster?

Answer – We are not currently able to record COVID vaccinations given by any non-NHS provider. This means you will not receive an automatic invitation for follow up vaccinations, or see the vaccinations in the NHS App. We do hope their will be a solution to this national issue in the near future. In the meantime, please provide us with a hard copy of the evidence confirming the details of your previous vaccinations so that we can add them at a later date, and contact us when you become eligible for your next vaccination. We will be able to arrange your booster vaccination appointment manually.

• I am travelling abroad and need an urgent letter confirming my vaccination status.

Answer – we are unable to provide the equivalent of a COVID pass. Please check the entry criteria for the country you are visiting and contact 119 or request a letter online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/. It is likely that in the event that you do not have time to generate a COVID pass, you will need to make alternative arrangements such as a private PCR test. Please speak to your local pharmacy for more information about the PCR services available locally.