Vaccine Update

Hands Face Space Fresh Air

* Information used in this update is correct as of Tuesday 13 April. 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?

There are no ‘walk up’ clinics, and vaccination is by invitation only.

For most of the surgeries within the district there will be two vaccination hubs – one in Swanley and the other in Sevenoaks (see below for details). 

It was decided to operate this way to administer the Pfizer vaccine as not every surgery had the necessary space and resources (whilst still being able to carry out their usual daily appointments) to provide the vaccine. There are also huge logistical challenges. The vaccine must be stored at incredibly low temperatures and used within three and a half days and there is also equipment and supplies that are associated with administering the vaccine – and it is easier and more efficient to operate out of a hub.

That said, as the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is easier to store, it is now being made available within local surgeries. If and when your surgery are doing this, they will notify you accordingly. In the meanwhile if you are called to one of the hubs, do please accept the invite.  

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
    • Vaccinations for second doses are taking place at either the surgery (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or the Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Beadle House, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 2JD (Pfizer). When you are contacted you will be advised where to attend. Please accept whichever venue they ask you to attend. 
    • Under no circumstances should you contact the Sevenoaks Medical Centre about vaccinations – nor visit without an appointment – they are kindly hosting vaccinations but are not organising them.
    • The surgery are now contacting  anyone 50 and over as well as continuing to deal with those in Group 6 with underlying health conditions
    • Anyone who is 45 and older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer.
    • PLEASE NOTE if you are 50+ and have not had an appointment you can contact the surgery direct and book locally rather than attending a mass vaccination site. 
    • If you are aged between 18 and 49 and are not in one of the vulnerable categories between Groups 1 - 9 - you will not be able to book through the surgery - instead you will have to book through this link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment.

 

  • Cedars Surgery, Swanley
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU to those with underlying health conditions.
    • 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 send you 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 - unanswered texts will by followed up by telephone.
    • 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.
    • Virgin Care are visiting and vaccinating the housebound.   
    • Those aged 45-49 will be contacted to book your first vaccination - you can use the national booking system and shortly will have the option of being vaccinated at a local surgery

 

  • Devon Road Surgery, South Darenth
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU to those with underlying health conditions.
    • 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 send you 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 - unanswered texts will by followed up by telephone.
    • 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.
    • Virgin Care are visiting and vaccinating the housebound.   
    • Those aged 45-49 will be contacted to book your first vaccination - you can use the national booking system and shortly will have the option of being vaccinated at a local surgery

 

  • Farningham - Braeside Surgery
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU to those with underlying health conditions.
    • 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 send you 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 - unanswered texts will by followed up by telephone.
    • 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.
    • Virgin Care are visiting and vaccinating the housebound.   
    • Those aged 45-49 will be contacted to book your first vaccination - you can use the national booking system and shortly will have the option of being vaccinated at a local surgery

 

  • Hextable Surgery
    • Second doses are being administered by DGS Health from The Alexandra Suite, St Mary's Rd, Swanley BR8 7BU to those with underlying health conditions.
    • 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 send you 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 - unanswered texts will by followed up by telephone.
    • 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.
    • Virgin Care are visiting and vaccinating the housebound.   
    • Those aged 45-49 will be contacted to book your first vaccination - you can use the national booking system and shortly will have the option of being vaccinated at a local surgery

 

  • 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 45 and 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 to those with underlying health conditions.
    • 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 send you 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 - unanswered texts will by followed up by telephone.
    • 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.
    • Virgin Care are visiting and vaccinating the housebound.   
    • Those aged 45-49 will be contacted to book your first vaccination - you can use the national booking system and shortly will have the option of being vaccinated at a local surgery

 

  • Otford Medical Practice
    • Vaccinations for second doses are taking place at either the surgery (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or the Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Beadle House, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 2JD (Pfizer). When you are contacted you will be advised where to attend. Please accept whichever venue they ask you to attend. 
    • Under no circumstances should you contact the Sevenoaks Medical Centre about vaccinations – nor visit without an appointment – they are kindly hosting vaccinations but are not organising them.
    • The surgery are now contacting  anyone 50 and over as well as continuing to deal with those in Group 6 with underlying health conditions
    • Anyone who is 45 and older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer.
    • PLEASE NOTE if you are 50+ and have not had an appointment you can contact the surgery direct and book locally rather than attending a mass vaccination site. 
    • If you are aged between 18 and 49 and are not in one of the vulnerable categories between Groups 1 - 9 - you will not be able to book through the surgery - instead you will have to book through this link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment.

 

  • St Johns Medical Practice
    • Vaccinations for second doses are taking place at either the surgery (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or the Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Beadle House, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 2JD (Pfizer). When you are contacted you will be advised where to attend. Please accept whichever venue they ask you to attend. 
    • Under no circumstances should you contact the Sevenoaks Medical Centre about vaccinations – nor visit without an appointment – they are kindly hosting vaccinations but are not organising them.
    • The surgery are now contacting  anyone 50 and over as well as continuing to deal with those in Group 6 with underlying health conditions
    • Anyone who is 45 and older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer.
    • PLEASE NOTE if you are 50+ and have not had an appointment you can contact the surgery direct and book locally rather than attending a mass vaccination site. 
    • If you are aged between 18 and 49 and are not in one of the vulnerable categories between Groups 1 - 9 - you will not be able to book through the surgery - instead you will have to book through this link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment.

 

  • South Park Medical Practice
    • Vaccinations for second doses are taking place at either the surgery (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or the Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Beadle House, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 2JD (Pfizer). When you are contacted you will be advised where to attend. Please accept whichever venue they ask you to attend. 
    • Under no circumstances should you contact the Sevenoaks Medical Centre about vaccinations – nor visit without an appointment – they are kindly hosting vaccinations but are not organising them.
    • The surgery are now contacting  anyone 50 and over as well as continuing to deal with those in Group 6 with underlying health conditions
    • Anyone who is 45 and older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer.
    • PLEASE NOTE if you are 50+ and have not had an appointment you can contact the surgery direct and book locally rather than attending a mass vaccination site. 
    • If you are aged between 18 and 49 and are not in one of the vulnerable categories between Groups 1 - 9 - you will not be able to book through the surgery - instead you will have to book through this link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment.

 

  • Town Medical Practice
    • Vaccinations for second doses are taking place at either the surgery (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or the Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Beadle House, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 2JD (Pfizer). When you are contacted you will be advised where to attend. Please accept whichever venue they ask you to attend. 
    • Under no circumstances should you contact the Sevenoaks Medical Centre about vaccinations – nor visit without an appointment – they are kindly hosting vaccinations but are not organising them.
    • The surgery are now contacting  anyone 50 and over as well as continuing to deal with those in Group 6 with underlying health conditions
    • Anyone who is 45 and older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer.
    • PLEASE NOTE if you are 50+ and have not had an appointment you can contact the surgery direct and book locally rather than attending a mass vaccination site. 
    • If you are aged between 18 and 49 and are not in one of the vulnerable categories between Groups 1 - 9 - you will not be able to book through the surgery - instead you will have to book through this link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment.

 

  • West Kingsdown Medical Centre
    • Second dose vaccinations  are taking place at  Dartford Football Club, Grass Banks, Dartford, DA1 1RT. Please wait to be notified when you will receive the vaccine and please do not contact the surgery
    • This location was chosen by local GP’s. Doctors surgeries work within what are known as “Primary Care Networks” (“PCN”) . Each PCN makes a decision upon one site for their particular network to administer the vaccine.  The West Kingsdown practice is part of the Temple Hill Group who in turn are part of a PCN with Redwood Practice and Horsman Place Surgery and the local PCN therefore chose to locate the vaccination centre at Dartford Football Club
    • 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 send you a link to a booking site and you will be able to book an appointment online. 
    • If you are in difficulty with transportation to and from the site, please see below for some helpful links to arrange transportation. If you are still facing transport difficulties please contact me.
    • Anyone who is 45 and 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.
    • Virgin Care are visiting and vaccinating the housebound.  

 

  • Westerham Practice
    • Vaccinations for second doses are taking place at either the surgery (Oxford-AstraZeneca) or the Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Beadle House, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 2JD (Pfizer). When you are contacted you will be advised where to attend. Please accept whichever venue they ask you to attend. 
    • Under no circumstances should you contact the Sevenoaks Medical Centre about vaccinations – nor visit without an appointment – they are kindly hosting vaccinations but are not organising them.
    • The surgery are now contacting  anyone 50 and over as well as continuing to deal with those in Group 6 with underlying health conditions
    • Anyone who is 45 and older can book on line  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment. You can also book through this service if you have an underlying health condition or are a carer.
    • PLEASE NOTE if you are 50+ and have not had an appointment you can contact the surgery direct and book locally rather than attending a mass vaccination site. 
    • If you are aged between 18 and 49 and are not in one of the vulnerable categories between Groups 1 - 9 - you will not be able to book through the surgery - instead you will have to book through this link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccinat… or dial 119 for an appointment.

 

  • Mass Vaccination Centres
    • Two mass vaccination centres are open close to the constituency. At the Woodlands Theatre in Gravesend and the Angel Centre, Tonbridge (please the Angel Centre is closed until 26 April)
    • 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 will be invited by letter from the NHS to book online to make an appointment.
    • 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
    • To be able to book an appointment you will first need to receive a letter from the NHS.
    • 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 has advised an approach that prioritises 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

The current approach prioritises reducing mortality over reducing transmission and therefore targets vaccination at those most likely to sadly die as a result of COVID-19. Given age is the primary predictor of COVID-19 mortality, this means targeting older people. It would be necessary to vaccinate around 32 times more 60–64-year olds than those older than 90 year old to save a life, or six times as many to save one year of life.

Front-line health and social care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable will also be vaccinated. You can find a list of conditions deemed clinically extremely vulnerable here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19#cev

If this applies to you, you will already have been shielding and should previously have had a letter within the last nine months.

Although the vaccine prioritisation does not take account of profession, ‘need’ or economic activity, it is important to note that we all benefit from this approach as the quicker the risk of mortality is reduced, the lower the pressure on our hospitals and the sooner we can all return to something closer to ‘normal life’.

 

Q. I AM ON THE LIST BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING; WHO SHOULD I CALL?

Anyone who is 45 or over  can now book directly with the NHS. These bookings are made via the online NHS vaccination portal here.

 

Q. WILL THE VACCINATION HUBS WITHIN THE CONSTITUENCY HAVE PARKING AVAILABLE, AND WILL I HAVE TO PAY? 

In Swanley

  • The vaccination hub in Swanley is at the Alexandra Suite adjacent to the Swanley Town Council Offices, and parking is available on the ground floor in the car park immediately outside.
  • Whilst vaccinations take place, parking in this car park will be free. The barrier will be left open and the enforcement cameras turned off.
  • The car park is also step free, so should be fully accessible, however do let me know if anyone faces difficulties.
  • If you park anywhere else in Swanley, normal parking charges apply,

In Sevenoaks

  • The vaccination hub in Sevenoaks is at the Sevenoaks Medical Centre on London Road, and parking has been made available within the South Eastern Sevenoaks Station car park.
  • To access this, please drive to the end of Morewood Close to reach the station car park. Marshal’s will then let you into the lower car park
  • If someone else has driven you to the site, and your appointment is called, they can take you from the holding area, and drop you near to the entrance of the Sevenoaks Medical Centre. They will then be able to return to the holding area until you have been vaccinated.
  • If you have driven yourself, but have mobility problems, please tell the marshal’s and they can arrange for you (when your appointment is due) to park closer to the Medical Centre.

 

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. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE NHS INVITING ME TO BOOK ONLINE FOR A VACCINATION AT A MASS VACCINATION CENTRE – CAN I USE THIS OR MUST I VISIT THE LOCAL HUB?  

 

If you decide to book using this method, there are a number of mass vaccination centres to choose from, plus you may be offered Sevenoaks Pharmacy, Boots, Bluewater, Aspire, Sidcup or other pharmacies. 

The NHS have been sending letters to people who are aged 45+ offering the opportunity to book an appointment for both their first and their second vaccination appointment. These bookings are made via the online NHS vaccination portal here.

To read more about the pharmacies currently offering this service or other mass vaccination centres, click here – this site is regularly updated and will display more locations as they become available.

 

Q. I HAVE RECEIVED BOTH A LETTER FROM THE NHS INVITING ME TO BOOK ONLINE FOR A VACCINATION AND ALSO HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY MY LOCAL HEALTH PROVIDER - WHAT SHOULD I DO?  

Due to the size of the operation when sending out tens of thousands of letters and text messages at a time, there will be some crossover between invites from the NHS national and your local health provider. I would recommend continuing with the first appointment that you have accepted as this would be helpful to those organising vaccination. However, if you do change your mind it is absolutely imperative that you cancel the booking you are not using. If you simply fail to show up you are depriving someone that day of being given protection.

 

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 HELP WITH THE VACCINATION ROLL OUT?

You can apply for a role to help with the vaccination programme – either carrying out the vaccination or helping with administration support or cleaning.

If you are interest, please visit: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination-roles/kent-covid-19-vaccination-programme/

 

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.