COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

Question: Does the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine cause blood clots? (Message from E&NHCCG) 

 Answer: Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon. Reports of blood clots received so far are not greater than the number that we would normally expect to see amongst the groups of the population who have been vaccinated.  People should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so.

 More than 11 million doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine have now been administered across the UK.  Vaccine safety is of paramount importance and the regulatory agency, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continually monitors the safety of vaccines in the UK.  

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-and-blood-clotting

Information on eligible cohorts - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-care-home-and-healthcare-settings-posters/covid-19-vaccination-first-phase-priority-groups

GP led vaccinations are available for cohort 6 ONLY - currently adults aged 16 to 65 years in an at risk group as detailed on link above - and cohorts 1-4 who have not had their first vaccination. We are booking as quickly as we can based on the vaccine supplies available to us. 

There are some weeks when we are not receiving as much supply of the vaccine as we would like, due to national supply constraints. We know this has led to some longer waits than we would like to see for our patients.  If you or someone you care for is eligible for a vaccination and is very concerned about waiting to be called, you can try to book online at  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus- vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/  or dial 119 to see if an alternative vaccination centre has any appointments. 

Anyone aged 50 and over can book at a mass vaccination site (such as Robertson House, Chells Manor, Da Vinci School, Letchworth) with new sites going live each week) using the link below

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or phone 119

If your nearest site is not available please do not ring us as we unable to book this for you, but try booking later when more appointments are released or travelling a bit further. These site are not GP led and we do not have any information about appointment availability. 

Use link below if the above does not work - copy and paste into browser https://shephallhealthcentre.webgp.com/

CORONAVIRUS - LOCAL GPs ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS - CLICK ON LINK BELOW

https://www.healthierfuture.org.uk/news/2020/september/concerned-about-coronavirus-your-questions-answered

https://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage-advice-this-autumn-1-6829279

https://www.thecomet.net/news/east-and-north-herts-nhs-trust-cancer-column-1-6799940

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic we are following advice and working differently to keep all our patients safe. We are open but working in a different way to minimise the spread of any virus. 

We are offering telephone (and video consultations where possible) to patients and following this, only asking patients to come to surgery if absolutely necessary. All patients will be triaged before they are seen so please do not turn up to surgery as our doors are closed to reduce the risk of infection to patients and staff. We are continuing to offer essential vaccinations, immunisations, smears and other long term checks on a face to face basis.  

Our phones are busy so it may be quicker to complete an e-consult by clicking on the 'get started' box above. You do not have to be registered for online access to do this and we are checking complete online returns continually throughout the day. You can attach photos where necessary so a really helpful way of communicating with us and send us reading such blood pressure. 

If you have a new continuous cough and/or fever greater than 37.8 degrees centigrade and/or loss, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell please follow latest guidance, which includes booking a coronavirus test  https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

We recommend you nominate a pharmacy to keep your journeys to a minimum. This way you can collect your medication from the pharmacy without having to collect your paper script first. You can choose any pharmacy you wish, and can change your pharmacy via the NHS app, econsult or by speaking to the pharmacy you wish to choose. 

If you have been asked to attend to attend the surgery after a face to face appointment or for a vaccination please follow the advice attached and ensure you wear a face covering

Advice for Patients Attending the Surgery for a Confirmed Appointment

We really appreciate your co-operation - please stay safe