Coronavirus Vaccine

Many of those who were vaccinated at the start of the vaccination programme, are now starting to return for their second dose. The NHS has been planning meticulously to ensure people can get that second dose when it is the right time for them to do so.

Over the next few weeks, vaccination supplies are being prioritised for people who are due their second dose.

A limited number of appointments for first doses in April are still available, but they are filling up fast. So if you are in an eligible group and you haven’t booked your first dose yet, the time to do so is right now.

If you are in one of the following groups you can now book your covid vaccination through the links listed below, or you can contact your GP practice.

• You are aged 50 or over.
• 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

How to book

• Go online or call 119 to book at the Peepul Centre, Leicester or a pharmacy site. 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.
• Contact your GP practice

• Use the link below to book at a Hospital Hub:

https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/leicesterc19v.php

The booking process

1. Click on ‘Book an appointment’ next to your chosen vaccination site
2. If you are asked for a pin, enter CovidVL19
3. Register as a new user – Please ensure you enter your NHS number (if you do not know this, click here to find it).
4. 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.
5. Choose a date and time for your initial vaccination. The system will automatically generate a second slot.
6. 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

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

Health and care workers and carers

Changes to the National Booking System have been introduced which means that from now eligible frontline health and social care workers and carers who are unknown to the system will need to use alternative routes. In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland this means by contacting your GP practice or by booking an appointment at a Hospital Hub.

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.

Vaccines in hospitals

Hospital Hubs are delivering the vaccine at Leicester General Hospital, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Loughborough Hospital and Feilding Palmer Hospital.

Vaccines in GP practices

All local GP practices in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are now covered by a vaccination service. 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. As the vaccine supply increases, more GP practices are also able to provide the vaccine from their own premises, to make it easier for patients who are unable to travel

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

Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff are working alongside GPs to vaccinate patients in order of priority.

Priority groups

The priority groups have been determined at national level by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations.

To find out which priority groups of patients are currently being offered the vaccination click here.

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.