* Information used in this update is correct as of Monday 30 May. Please check this page regularly as the information may change. Always defer to the more specific personalised advice that you may receive from your own GP or other healthcare professional.
Throughout the pandemic, many of you have been in touch with me regarding the vaccine programme roll out. This is something I am working on incredibly closely with our local health providers. I am keen to ensure everyone has as much information as possible. I have therefore captured below the most up to date information that I have. I will provide further updates as and when new information becomes available.
As ever, if you have any further questions or wish to discuss a specific case please email me at laura.trott.mp@parliament.uk.
Q. How do I book my Booster Vaccine?
You can book your COVID-19 booster vaccine dose online or attend a walk-in vaccination centre three months after your second dose. Book your COVID-19 booster vaccine appointment If you make a booking and can't attend - do ensure you cancel - at the moment no-shows are running at around 10% and this is preventing other people from being vaccinated.
Q. Who can book a Spring booster
Spring boosters are available for the following patient groups.
- Those aged 75 and over (including house bound patients)
- Adult care home residents
- Those aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed
The rollout of a second booster began on 21 March 2022. Those who are eligible are being invited by the NHS to have their booster, or will be able to attend a vaccination clinic by booking on the national booking service, or by visiting a walk-in centre where available. The Spring booster will only be available six months after the first booster.
Local vaccination providers will make contact with care homes and house bound patients to organise their visit.
Immunosuppressed people aged 12 and over must present evidence of their eligibility when attending booked or walk-in clinics.
Q. Where in the constituency can I be vaccinated?
There are currently two specific vaccination sites within the constituency where you can receive your vaccine: St Mary's Church Hall, 1 London Road, Swanley and Sevenoaks Pharmacy, Dartford Road, Sevenoaks. To check availability please visit: https://www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/your-health/coronavirus/covid19vacc… - PLEASE NOTE - appointments are opening all the time - do check each day as you may be able to get a sooner appointment. The system will let you check without cancelling a later appointment (if you already have one booked) Also, some individual doctors surgeries are also providing vaccinations - please see below.
St Mary's Church Hall, 1 London Road, Swanley
- Bookable appointments available for those aged 5 and over on the National Booking Service or by phoning 119
- Walk-ins are available - you can check timings through this link;https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat…
Sevenoaks Pharmacy 42 Dartford Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 3TQ
- The service is available by appointment only for those aged 12 and over
- You book through https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. If an appointment does not show, do please try again as appointments are added on a daily basis.
- The hours of operation are as follows:
- Please check with the pharmacy
- The entrance to receive the vaccine is now via the shop.
- Parking is available on Dartford Road, on the right as you head into Sevenoaks Town. Other spaces are available nearby.
Other Pharmacies
- The NHS may offer you other pharmacy locations outside of the constituency. The nearest are:
- Boots, Bluewater
- Aspire Sidcup High Street, Sidcup
- Avicenna Pharmacy, Tonbridge
- Pharmacy2U, Tunbridge Wells
GP Practices
- Booster vaccinations for those 18+ are also being provided at surgeries within Sevenoaks, Otford and Westerham.
- Please wait to be contacted - DO NOT AT THIS STAGE CALL YOUR SURGERY AS THIS COULD HOLD UP THE ARRANGEMENTS THEY ARE MAKING
- If you are a patient at these practices you are able still to make a booking through the national booking service - or attend a walk-in
- Jubilee Clinic in New Ash Green are providing booster vaccinations - however if you are a patient here and drive - please consider booking through the national booking service for Swanley - where there is large capacity.
- Patients at West Kingsdown are being contacted to be offered appointments for vaccination - please also consider booking through the national booking service for Swanley - where there is large capacity.
- Patients in Swanley, Hextable, Devon Road and Farningham should either book Swanley through the national booking - otherwise walk-in appointments are available there.
Q. What is the situation for those under-18?
Children and young people aged between 12 and 17 are eligible for a 2nd dose and can book a vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or by calling 119. The second dose must be at least 12 weeks after the first dose.
Children aged 12 to 15, if a booking hasn't been made through the National Booking Service, will be offered a second dose of vaccine as part of the school-based COVID-19 vaccination programme from 10 January 2022 onwards. Children who have not had their first dose will also be able to be vaccinated during these sessions. A consent form and information leaflet provided by the SAIS team will be used to seek parental consent. Parents will also be provided with a contact number for the SAIS team in case of any queries. Forms should be returned by the deadline agreed with the team. You may be asked to collect these forms from parents on behalf of the SAIS provider team or it may be done electronically.
The school can play an important role by:
- sharing the leaflets and information
- signposting parents and children to official sources of information on vaccines
- sending out email links, letters and reminders
Parents can now also book a vaccination for children aged 12 - 15 through the national booking service via this link
- You can book your child's 1st dose online from the day they turn 12.
- You can usually book their 2nd dose from 24 hours after they had their 1st dose.
- You'll be offered appointment dates from 12 weeks after their 1st dose.
- Please choose a suitable appointment date when booking. You can also cancel and rebook an existing appointment for a later date if needed.
- If your child is aged 12 to 15 and at high risk from COVID-19, they can also get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they had a 2nd dose at least 3 months ago.
Children aged 5 - 11
Vaccination is now available for all children in this age group.
About the vaccine for those aged 5 - 11
- Children will be offered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Each vaccine is a third of the dose of vaccine that is given to older children and adults.
- Children will need 2 injections of the vaccine usually 12 weeks apart. The vaccine has been tested to make sure it is as safe as possible.
- If your child has a condition that means they're at high risk from COVID-19 or they live with someone who has a weakened immune system, they can get a 2nd dose from 8 weeks after they had their 1st dose.
Q. Can I be vaccinated if I have had a positive COVID-19 test
If you've had a positive COVID-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You need to:
- wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you're aged 18 years old or over
- wait 12 weeks (84 days) if you're aged 12 to 17 years old
- wait 4 weeks (28 days) if you're aged 12 to 17 years old and at high-risk from COVID-19
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms.
Q. Which COVID-19 vaccine will I get?
Most people will be offered a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine or Moderna vaccine.
This means your booster dose may be different from the vaccines you had for your 1st and 2nd doses.
Some people may be offered a booster dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine if they cannot have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
Q. Should I receive a COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine together?
Most people who can get a COVID-19 booster vaccine are also eligible for the annual flu vaccine.
If you are offered both vaccines, it's safe to have them at the same time.
Find out more about the flu vaccine
Q. Where can I find the latest data on the total number of vaccinations in England?
The latest stats for England can be found: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-vaccinations/
COVID VACCINATION SCAM ALERT - WARNING FROM KENT & MEDWAY CCG
I have been made aware that some people are receiving fraudulent calls and text messages offering the Covid-19 vaccination.
In some cases, people are asked to press a number on their keypad or to send a text message to confirm they wish to receive the vaccine. Doing so is likely to result in a charge being applied to their phone bill. In other cases, callers are offering the vaccine for a fee or asking for bank details.
Please be alert to these scams.
The vaccine is only available from the NHS and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn.
The NHS will:
- NEVER ask you to press a button on your keypad to confirm you want a vaccine.
- NEVER ask for payment for the vaccine or for your bank details.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, report it to Kent Police online or phone 101.