COVID-19 vaccinations in Dorset

Yes. The NHS will not offer any COVID-19 vaccinations to the public until independent experts have signed off that it is safe to do so. The MHRA, the official UK regulator, have said that both of these vaccines have good safety profiles and offer a high level of protection, and we have full confidence in their expert judgement and processes. As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.

There is no evidence currently that the new strains will be resistant to the vaccines we have, so we are continuing to vaccinate people as normal. Scientists are looking now in detail at the characteristics of the virus in relation to the vaccines. Viruses, such as the winter flu virus, often branch into different strains but these small variations rarely render vaccines ineffective.

There are currently a number of ways you can get your jab. Walks in allow people to get their jab without needing to book an appointment. See our walk in vaccine page for the latest walk ins that are available.

You can also book an appointment via the book an appointment via the National Booking System for a range of vaccine sites including community pharmacies and a network of large vaccination centres across the country, including the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Primary care sites are also offering the jab.

Our NHS staff are working tirelessly to deliver the vaccine to the most vulnerable and maximise the use of the vaccine. Vaccination services have back up lists of people who need a first dose they can invite at short notice to take up any missed appointments. We are delivering the vaccine in line with the national guidance issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which means those people who are most at risk will be invited first and these backup lists contain the details of such people. We would urge everyone with an appointment to do everything they can to attend to avoid this happening, and if you cannot attend let the clinic know as soon as you can so that the appointment can be reallocated as soon as possible.

There is not a choice in which vaccination you are offered – all the vaccines we are using give high levels of immunity against disease and we are confident in their safety. Please accept the vaccine you are offered.

The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in the UK are:

• Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine
• Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
• Moderna vaccine
• Janssen vaccine (available later this year)

You cannot usually choose which vaccine you have. For the latest information visit the national NHS website.

Vaccinations in England started on 8 December, with Margaret Keenan becoming the first person to be vaccinated in Coventry.  Since then we have continued to follow the JCVI advice and vaccinate those most at risk first, and those who work closest with them – care home residents and staff, followed by people over 80 and frontline health and social care workers, then other people in order of age and risk.

In Dorset we have delivered more than one million doses and rising.

Find out the latest information on the national NHS website.

Yes, there are walk in vaccine clinics where you can get jabbed without an appointment. See our walk in website for the latest list of walk ins.

Yes, please see the NHS COVID website.

We’d be grateful for your support in sharing these key messages:

• Accept the offer of the vaccine to protect yourself and others
• Please have your second dose;
• Encourage friends and family to accept the offer of the jab if they haven’t had the jab or have changed their minds – it’s not too late
• Please attend your booked appointments.

The approved COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any animal products or egg.

If you are required to travel to receive your COVID-19 vaccination, use your own transport or transport provided by someone within your support bubble. This will reduce your risk of catching or spreading the virus and reduce the risk to other people within your household or bubble. More travel advice is available here:  https://www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/advice-on-travelling-for-your-vaccination/

COVID-19 has not gone away, so it’s important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

Anyone who needs support to get to their vaccination appointment can contact their council’s COVID-19 helpline for advice and information about local public transport, taxi services and community transport. Both Dorset Council and BCP Council are also offering support to those eligible towards the costs of a taxi journey to local vaccination appointments.

To speak to someone about the travel support available, BCP Council residents should contact the community response helpline on 0300 1237052 or complete the online form. Residents in the Dorset Council area should call 01305 221000 or complete the online form.