Vaccine Update

Hands Face Space Fresh Air

* Information used in this update is correct as of Tuesday 6 July. 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. *

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. It is a fast-moving situation; however, I am keen to ensure everyone has as much information as possible. I have therefore captured below the most frequently asked questions and will be updating it 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.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Q. WHERE IN THE CONSTITUENCY CAN I GO TO BE VACCINATED?

Other than where specifically announced, there are no ‘walk up’ clinics, and vaccination either is by invite or through the national booking service.

I have set out below my current understanding of the situation regarding each GP surgery. If you are aware of updates, please e-mail me: laura.trott.mp@parliament.uk.

 

  • Amherst Medical Practice
  • Cedars Surgery, Swanley
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU ONLY for those who were in Groups 1- 9 (aged 50 plus, underlying health conditions, clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and care workers)
    • You will receive a telephone call, text (or letter if they have not been able to contact you) inviting you to book an appointment.
    • The text message will include a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If your mobile phone is an older model and you cannot access the internet through the link please do not worry, You can call 07511 459 962 to be manually booked in.
    • ONLY those who have received a text, call or letter will now be able to book – if you are still waiting for a vaccination please wait to be contacted or email dgshealth.covidvaccination@nhs.net
    • Those aged 18-49 (in groups 10-12) need to book through the national booking system https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119.
    • You should have an option to book locally as the Swanley & Rural PCN are also using the Alexandra suite but if a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy elsewhere is showing as the sooner date then please consider taking the first available option
    • Due to the advice that those under 40 should not have AZ, those under 40 will only be shown booking availability if either Pfizer or Moderna is available.

 

  • Devon Road Surgery, South Darenth
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU ONLY for those who were in Groups 1- 9 (aged 50 plus, underlying health conditions, clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and care workers)
    • You will receive a telephone call, text (or letter if they have not been able to contact you) inviting you to book an appointment.
    • The text message will include a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If your mobile phone is an older model and you cannot access the internet through the link please do not worry, You can call 07511 459 962 to be manually booked in.
    • ONLY those who have received a text, call or letter will now be able to book – if you are still waiting for a vaccination please wait to be contacted or email dgshealth.covidvaccination@nhs.net
    • Those aged 18-49 (in groups 10-12) need to book through the national booking system https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119.
    • You should have an option to book locally as the Swanley & Rural PCN are also using the Alexandra suite but if a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy elsewhere is showing as the sooner date then please consider taking the first available option
    • Due to the advice that those under 40 should not have AZ, those under 40 will only be shown booking availability if either Pfizer or Moderna is available.

 

  • Farningham - Braeside Surgery
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU ONLY for those who were in Groups 1- 9 (aged 50 plus, underlying health conditions, clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and care workers)
    • You will receive a telephone call, text (or letter if they have not been able to contact you) inviting you to book an appointment.
    • The text message will include a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If your mobile phone is an older model and you cannot access the internet through the link please do not worry, You can call 07511 459 962 to be manually booked in.
    • ONLY those who have received a text, call or letter will now be able to book – if you are still waiting for a vaccination please wait to be contacted or email dgshealth.covidvaccination@nhs.net
    • Those aged 18-49 (in groups 10-12) need to book through the national booking system https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119.
    • You should have an option to book locally as the Swanley & Rural PCN are also using the Alexandra suite but if a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy elsewhere is showing as the sooner date then please consider taking the first available option
    • Due to the advice that those under 40 should not have AZ, those under 40 will only be shown booking availability if either Pfizer or Moderna is available.

 

  • Hextable Surgery
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU ONLY for those who were in Groups 1- 9 (aged 50 plus, underlying health conditions, clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and care workers)
    • You will receive a telephone call, text (or letter if they have not been able to contact you) inviting you to book an appointment.
    • The text message will include a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If your mobile phone is an older model and you cannot access the internet through the link please do not worry, You can call 07511 459 962 to be manually booked in.
    • ONLY those who have received a text, call or letter will now be able to book – if you are still waiting for a vaccination please wait to be contacted or email dgshealth.covidvaccination@nhs.net
    • Those aged 18-49 (in groups 10-12) need to book through the national booking system https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119.
    • You should have an option to book locally as the Swanley & Rural PCN are also using the Alexandra suite but if a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy elsewhere is showing as the sooner date then please consider taking the first available option
    • Due to the advice that those under 40 should not have AZ, those under 40 will only be shown booking availability if either Pfizer or Moderna is available.

 

  • New Ash Green (and Longfield) Surgery
    • Patients of the Jubilee Medical Practice (New Ash Green and Longfield) are receiving their vaccinations at Meopham Medical Centre, Wrotham Road, DA13 0AH.
    • You will initially be contacted by text (if they have your mobile phone number). For those without mobiles, you will be contacted via your landline. If after 3 attempts they cannot reach you by telephone, you will be sent a letter.
    • Anyone who is 18 or older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can now also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer. 
    • For more information please visit: https://www.jubileemg.nhs.uk/news/covid -19-vaccination-update  
  • Oaks Partnership, Swanley
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU ONLY for those who were in Groups 1- 9 (aged 50 plus, underlying health conditions, clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and care workers)
    • You will receive a telephone call, text (or letter if they have not been able to contact you) inviting you to book an appointment.
    • The text message will include a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If your mobile phone is an older model and you cannot access the internet through the link please do not worry, You can call 07511 459 962 to be manually booked in.
    • ONLY those who have received a text, call or letter will now be able to book – if you are still waiting for a vaccination please wait to be contacted or email dgshealth.covidvaccination@nhs.net
    • Those aged 18-49 (in groups 10-12) need to book through the national booking system https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119.
    • You should have an option to book locally as the Swanley & Rural PCN are also using the Alexandra suite but if a mass vaccination centre or pharmacy elsewhere is showing as the sooner date then please consider taking the first available option
    • Due to the advice that those under 40 should not have AZ, those under 40 will only be shown booking availability if either Pfizer or Moderna is available.

 

  • Otford Medical Practice

 

  • St Johns Medical Practice

 

  • South Park Medical Practice

 

  • Town Medical Practice

 

  • West Kingsdown Medical Centre
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from Dartford Football Club, Grass Banks, Dartford, DA1 1RT ONLY for those who were in Groups 1- 9 (aged 50 plus, underlying health conditions, clinically extremely vulnerable, frontline health and care workers)
    • You will receive a telephone call, text (or letter if they have not been able to contact you) inviting you to book an appointment.
    • The text message will include a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If your mobile phone is an older model and you cannot access the internet through the link please do not worry, You can call 07511 459 962 to be manually booked in.
    • ONLY those who have received a text, call or letter will now be able to book – if you are still waiting for a vaccination please wait to be contacted or email dgshealth.covidvaccination@nhs.net
    • Those aged 18-49 (in groups 10-12) can book through the national booking system https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119.
    • Due to the advice that those under 40 should not have AZ, those under 40 will only be shown booking availability if either Pfizer or Moderna is available.
    • You may be able to book locally through the surgery - but please wait for them to update on this point.

 

  • Westerham Practice

 

  • Mass Vaccination Centres
    • Two mass vaccination centres are open close to the constituency. At the Woodlands Theatre in Gravesend and the Angel Centre, Tonbridge 
    • The vaccination centres will have the capacity to inoculate up to 3000 people every day, and be open seven days a week. Supply of vaccines will be the constraint on numbers able to be vaccinated.

 

  • Sevenoaks Pharmacy 42 Dartford Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 3TQ
    • Sevenoaks Pharmacy commenced  vaccinations on 28  January. The service is available 8am - 8pm, seven days a week and administering up to 200 vaccinations a day.
    • You can book through https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. Please be aware that it is more likely appointments will be available at mass vaccination centres, so please book one of those if the pharmacy is not available
    • Please DO NOT attend the pharmacy for vaccination without a prior appointment (although the usual pharmacy services are open to all as normal).
    • The entrance to receive the vaccine is in Holly Bush Lane.
    • Parking is available on Dartford Road on the right as you head into Sevenoaks Town. Other spaces are available nearby.
    • If you have trouble walking, there are spaces reserved outside the entrance in Holly Bush Lane either for drop off or parking.
    • Please do not park in these spaces if you are able to walk 2-3 minutes – they need to be reserved for those with  severe mobility problems.
    • If you have any concerns, there are volunteer marshal’s outside the entrance to help you.
  • Other Pharmacies
    • The NHS may offer you other pharmacy locations outside of the constituency - I will add locations below as I hear of them
    • Boots, Bluewater 
    • Aspire Sidcup High Street, Sidcup

 

If you have a surgery that sits outside of the constituency – particularly in the London Borough of Bromley, and you are not sure about the arrangements for vaccination, do please contact me and I will endeavour to obtain information as soon as I can.

 

Q. WHO CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE A VACCINE AT THIS TIME?

For vaccines, the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) – an independent body of experts – advises the government on prioritisation.  JCVI advised an approach that prioritised those in care homes first, then those aged 80 and older and front-line health and social care staff. Beyond these groups, prioritisation is a mix of age (in 5-year intervals) and younger people who are clinically vulnerable.

 A useful summary table produced by the BBC based on the JCVI guidance can be found below:

JCVI Vaccine Graphic

We have now gone beyond this table and everyone 18 and over can be vaccinated.

 

Q. I AM OLD ENOUGH TO BE VACCINATED BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING; WHO SHOULD I CALL?

Anyone who is 18 or over  can now book directly with the NHS. These bookings are made via the online NHS vaccination portal here. Or by calling 119. 

 

Q. ARE THERE ANY ARRANGEMENTS FOR PATIENTS TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE VACCINE HUBS?

Information regarding patient transport options can be found via the following website link:

Or you can register for help with Sevenoaks District Council through this link;

If you know of, or experience any transportation issues please let me know by emailing laura.trott.mp@parliament.uk. I will then raise this as a matter of urgency. 

 

 Q. WHO IS CO-ORDINATING VACCINATION SITES LOCALLY?

A number of NHS and Government agencies are directly involved in the effort to set up vaccination sites across the country. Kent & Medway CCG are co-ordinating the delivery of vaccination sites across Kent alongside our local Primary Care Networks. The distribution of the vaccine itself is being co-ordinated on a national level.

 

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/

 

Q. HOW CAN I OBTAIN AN ASYMPTOMATIC TEST

The asymptomatic sites in Swanley and Bat & Ball are now closed.

If you need to be tested, you can either:

👩‍⚕️ Pick up a test from your local pharmacy (which can be found by typing your post code into this link https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

💻 Order online an at home test via https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow...

If you still wish to attend a walk-in centre, the nearest location is in Maidstone - Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XQ.

🚨 If you are showing any coronavirus symptoms you should continue to book in for a conventional PCR test via 119 or via the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. PLEASE DO NOT attend the Maidstone site if you are symptomatic.

 

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.