* Information used in this update is correct as of Monday 22 November. 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. Where in the constituency can I be vaccinated?
There are two 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…
St Mary's Church Hall, 1 London Road, Swanley
- Whilst walk-ins are available for those aged 12 and over (see opening hours below), please pre-book on the National Booking Service or by phoning 119 as this helps to plan vaccinations.
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Pfizer clinics:
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 7.45pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Sat 8am - 4pm
Sun 12.30pm - 7.45pm
Sevenoaks Pharmacy 42 Dartford Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 3TQ
- The service is available 9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday (closed 12-1pm for lunch).
- You can 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.
- As well as appointments, there is a walk-in service to receive the Pfizer vaccine, for those aged 16 and over on Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch) - although do please consider booking as this makes planning of services easier.
- 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, staff at the entrance will be able to help you.
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 are being provided for surgeries within Sevenoaks, Otford and Westerham. They will contact you - but you may find it quicker to book through the national booking service.
- Jubilee Clinic in New Ash Green are also providing booster vaccinations - but again you may find it quicker to book through the national boking service.
Q. What is the situation for those under-18?
People aged 16 or over are now eligible for a 2nd dose. Most people aged 16 or 17 should have their 2nd dose from 12 weeks after their 1st dose.
Teenagers between 16 and 17 can book a vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service or by calling 119.
Children aged 12 to 15 who are clinically vulnerable to Covid-19 or who live with adults who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus are also being contacted by the NHS and invited for their vaccine - they will receive two doses.
Other children aged 12 to 15 are being offered a first dose of vaccine as part of the school-based COVID-19 vaccination programme. 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 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat…
Q. Who can receive the Booster Vaccine?
Booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have already had 2 doses of a vaccine - and the second dose was at least six months ago.
This includes:
- people aged 40 and over
- people who live and work in care homes
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
- carers aged 16 and over
- people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
Women who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.
Information: If you're not sure if you have a health condition that puts you at high risk, see who is at high risk from COVID-19.
Q. How and when should I receive my COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
You'll be offered a booster dose at least 6 months after you had your 2nd dose.
The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have a booster dose. However, if five months has passed since your second vaccination, you can book online in advance through the central booking service. Please note your booster date must still be at least six months after your second jab. If you attend a walk-in they will not vaccinate you unless six months have passed since your second jab.
Frontline health and social care workers will be invited to book an appointment through their employer.
Q. How do I book my Booster Vaccine?
You can book your COVID-19 booster vaccine dose online if you have been contacted by the NHS or five months after your second vaccination - but the booster must still be six months after your second dose. Book your COVID-19 booster vaccine appointment
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/
Q. How can I obtain an asymptomatic test?
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.