Coronavirus Vaccine

If you are in one of the following groups you can now book your covid vaccination using one of the options shown below.

• You are aged 25 or over, or you will turn 25 before 1st July 2021
• You have a health condition which puts you at higher risk from covid. For more details on which conditions this covers please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine/
• Health and care workers (see note below)
• You are a carer, defined as: “eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable” (see note below)
• You have previously been invited for a vaccine but not yet made an appointment

The population is being vaccinated in order of priority determined at national level by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations. Find out more here.

The vaccine is typically delivered by a simple injection in the upper arm. Two doses of the vaccine are required for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines; this will range between three and twelve weeks apart to achieve enhanced protection against coronavirus.

National Covid Vaccine Booking Service

You can book online or by telephone by calling 119.

You can use this service to book at the Peepul Centre, Leicester or a pharmacy. You may also be able to book at a vaccination centre outside Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland if you live within a 45 minute drive. Please note, the Peepul Centre is currently focusing on second dose appointments. First dose appointments are available via pharmacies.

Hospital Hubs

Appointments can be booked at the following hospital hubs:

• Leicester Royal Infirmary
• Leicester General Hospital
• Leicester Glenfield Hospital
• Loughborough Hospital

You can book online using this link for all sites:https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/leicesterc19v.php

• Click on ‘Book an appointment’ next to your chosen vaccination site
• If you are asked for a pin, enter CovidVL19
• Register as a new user – Please ensure you enter your NHS number (if you do not know this, click here to find it).
• Pick the patient option on the form and fill in your details. If you are a member of the public please ignore all references to ‘staff’ or ’employer’ and write the word ‘Patient’ in all fields related to employment.
• Choose a date and time for your initial vaccination. The system will automatically generate a second slot.
• Check your inbox and junk mail for an email that confirms your booking. You will also receive a text reminder if you filled in the contact number field

Photo ID and proof of eligibility will be needed on arrival and if you unable to provide these you will be turned away.

Your GP practice

Your GP practice will also invite you to book your vaccine if they are part of the vaccination programme.

Some vaccinations are taking place in GP practices and others are at community vaccination centres, for example in council buildings.

Vaccinations are administered by groups of GP practices, known as primary care networks, with one practice generally providing vaccines on behalf of all practices in the group.

Find out where vaccinations are taking place for your GP practice: Covid Vaccine Centres: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

These are the main vaccination sites for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. There are also occasions when more GP practices are able to provide the vaccine, depending on the available supply, making it more convenient for patients who are unable to travel

Drop-in clinics

Drop-in clinics are sometimes arranged for people to get their vaccine without having to book an appointment. These clinics tend to operate for one or two days at a time. The following drop-in clinics are currently available locally:

• Loughborough
• Learning Disability Clinic

All other patients will be contacted to book your vaccination when you become eligible. Please do not contact your GP practice or the hospital enquiring about the vaccine.

Health and care workers and carers

The functionality for frontline eligible health and social care workers to book their COVID-19 vaccination through the National Booking Service (www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or 119) through self-referral has been reinstated. The same eligibility checks and ID requirements remain in place.

Unpaid carers that are known to the system can continue to book through the National Booking Service. Unpaid carers that are not known to the system cannot book through the National Booking Service but should contact their GP practice so they can be identified and recorded as unpaid carers.

Health and care workers and unpaid carers can also continue to book via GP-led vaccination services and hospital hubs.

You may find the following links useful:

• Read our Frequently Asked Questions  about covid vaccines in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Read and download vaccine information leaflets
• Read about the first person in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to receive the vaccine.
• Watch our public webinar about the covid vaccine, where our panel of local NHS experts answered people’s questions. Please note that since this event took place, January 28th 2021, the vaccine programme has progressed, so that additional patient groups are now being vaccinated, as well as those stated in the video.