Covid Vaccinations Q&A
The latest guidance is that all eligible adults in England aged 18 and over will be offered a Covid-19 booster vaccination by the end of January.
Younger age groups will be invited in due course, in age order, grouped into 5 year age bands. Once we have available clinics you will be invited via text message/phone call. You also have the option to book at a mass vaccination site once you are called forward to be vaccinated.
If you are aged 50 and above or in a high risk group, you are encouraged to take up the offer of a Covid vaccination booster.
The gap between second dose and booster dose has been shortened from 6 months to 3 months, specifically 91 days.
We ask that you wait to hear from us in regards to an appointment for your booster dose – due to such high volumes of email/phone queries we are unable to reply individually to booster questions.
Why would I need a Covid booster vaccination?
Booster vaccinations are being recommended to all adults in the UK to give longer lasting protection.
What vaccination will be used for the boosters?
The Pfizer & Moderna vaccinations have been approved for the booster programme. Evidence shows that these mRNA vaccinations work best as boosters, even if you received a different vaccine for your first two doses. We are currently only allocated Pfizer vaccinations to be used at our site.
Can I get my flu vaccination at the same time?
It is safe to co-administer your flu vaccination and Covid booster vaccination. Due to the large scale of clinics being provided at Kingston University, logistically it is not possible to provide both vaccinations together. However, you are able to make an appointment with us for your flu vaccination. There does not need to be a gap of 7 days post covid vaccination.
My child is 12-15 years old and needs their first dose, can they have this with you?
Everyone aged 12 and over can now be vaccinated against Covid-19. Healthy school aged children between 12-15 years old will receive their Covid-19 vaccination in their school with alternative provisions arranged for children who are home schooled. We have been signed off by as a vaccination site to vaccinate healthy 12-15 year olds, so we are unable to provide any catch up doses at this point. It would be best to discuss options with your child’s school.
Can you provide me with confirmation I have had both vaccinations?
Unfortunately not, GPs are not allowed to provide letters showing vaccine status because this would be too open to fraud. Proof of vaccination can be obtained by NHS 111 or by calling 119 for a letter.
Further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad
I had my vaccination abroad, can you add to my Covid vaccine pass?
The nationally provided vaccine data system does not currently have the capacity to add data from vaccinations administered abroad (this also includes Wales & Scotland). So for people who were vaccinated abroad the official vaccine passport is not currently available.
We can add to the medical records that the vaccinations were given and this will be documented on your patient record which is visible on the GP Health Records tab via NHS App.
Can I discuss my queries with a doctor?
While we would love to be able to have an individual discussion with patients there simply isn’t the capacity. Please read the information attached here to see if your questions are answered. If you have a specific question then you please email us first but be aware that we are currently receiving around 75 vaccine related questions each day which is stretching our resources.
General Practice is under unprecedented strain at the moment caused by built up demand, very long waits for secondary care appointments and managing the vaccination programme. At Kingston Health Centre we feel better placed than most to cope with this surge in demand and are doing all we can to expand clinics and all of our staff are working flat out.
