Covid-19 Vaccination Service
Which Cohort are we Inviting?
Since December 2020, we have been informed weekly by NHS England which cohort of patients we are able to invite. This is nationally set and Colton Mill and other practices are unable to move to different cohorts.
How Much Vaccine Stock do we Receive?
The vaccine stock we receive each week is for the cohorts set out by NHS England for us to invite. The invite list is a nationally generated search.
How are we Inviting Patients?
As soon as we receive notification of our stock arriving (usually a week before), we organise the clinic and start contacting patients. This can be between 200-500 on average per week. We do this either by age or risk depending on the NHS guidance we are given.
How are we Contacting Patients?
Patients generally have a preferred contact method recorded on their records. If patients have previously consented to receive a text, we will text you. In other cases, we will try to call patients or write to you. It can take a number of days to contact patients, which are eligible. This is why some patient will have received a text or a call before others receive their letter. This doesn’t mean those who receive their letter a few days after will miss out on an appointment.
If you wish to be contacted by text, please ensure you provide us with an up-to-date mobile number and consent to our text messaging service.
We usually have more patients in each cohort than we receive stock weekly. We also share our stock allocation between the other practices in Cross Gates Primary Care Network. Therefore some patients will be invited before others but, we will get to everyone on the list.
Which Vaccine do we Receive?
We either receive Astra Zeneca or Pfizer. We are usually informed a few days or a week before the delivery. We are unable to order specific stock as NHS England send us our allocation automatically. We are offering the Pfizer vaccine to 16-18 who have been identified as an at-risk group as this age group are unable to have the Astra Zeneca currently.
Who Decides Who is At Risk?
Your GP Practice is not responsible for deciding which patients can and cannot have their vaccination. The searches we use are nationally provided. We understand that some patients may be unsure why they have been invited. If you are unsure why you have been invited, please ask when you are booking your appointment. If our receptionist is unable to easily recognise why you are within the at-risk group, you are able to discuss this further at your appointment with the GP, Nurse or Pharmacist administering the vaccine.
Why Have Some Older Patients not Yet Been Invited?
Patients currently in priority group 5 aged 65-70 years are now being invited nationally to attend a mass vaccination centre. This is NHS England guidance and we are not currently receiving vaccine stock for this cohort.
We know lots of patients will be eager to get protected but, you will be invited for a vaccine when it’s your turn so do not contact your practice or the NHS.
This will be the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS and you can really help us to deliver it to those that need it most by doing the following:
- Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine – we will contact you when it’s the right time.
- When we do contact you, please act immediately and make sure you attend your appointments.
- Please continue to follow all the guidelines – hand hygiene and social distancing in particular – to control the virus and save lives.
Further Information
For more information about the vaccine, please see these frequently asked questions: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
You can also visit www.nhs.uk or download the patient information leaflets on the following topics, which are available on the West Yorkshire & Harrogate Health & Care Partnership website.
- Covid-19 Vaccination – a guide for adults.
- Covid-19 Vaccination – a guide for those currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- What to expect after your Covid-19 vaccination
- Why do I have to wait for my Covid-19 vaccine?
https://www.youtube.com/embed/8kHYUq0_0YQ
Cross Gates Primary Care Network Covid-19 Vaccination Service
Our Covid-19 Vaccination Service is provided by a team of GP’s, Nurses, Pharmacists, HCA’s, Pharmacists Technicians, Administrators, Marshals and Managers working together across 4 practices across our community.
Our Covid-19 Vaccination Service will be located at either Colton Mill Medical Centre or The Grange Medical Centre, patients will be advised by our Reception team which location their appointment will take place at when booking.
