COVID-19 vaccinations in Dorset

People aged 70 and over who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and who would like to are being asked to contact the NHS to arrange a jab.  For everyone else, the NHS will get in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.

Until now the NHS has asked people to wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first – and that remains the case for most people.

However, to ensure absolutely everyone is offered the vaccine, people aged 70 and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated by the middle of this month.

The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them.

Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

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 strain 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.

The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Read Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation: advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination on GOV.UK.

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 UK Chief Medical Officers have agreed a longer timeframe between first and second doses so that more people can get their first dose quickly, and because the evidence shows that one dose still offers a high level of protection. This decision will allow us to get the maximum benefit for the most people in the shortest possible time and will help save lives.

No. Any vaccines that the NHS will provide will have been approved because they pass the MHRA’s tests on safety and efficacy, so people should be assured that whatever vaccine they get, it is worth their while.

Vaccinations in England started on 8 December, with Margaret Keenan becoming the first person to be vaccinated in Coventry.  We will continue 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. 

Figures on the number of people vaccinated are published weekly and can be viewed online.

People will be offered vaccinations in line with recommendations from the independent JCVI.  The NHS will contact people when it is their turn.  People will need an appointment to get their vaccine; most people will be invited by letter from their GP practice or the national programme.

Yes, please see the NHS COVID website.

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

• Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you;
• When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments;
• Please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives.

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/

Even if people have had the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s important that people continue to follow national guidance to protect themselves and others.

You are not fully protected from the virus for some time as it takes several weeks to develop immunity, and a second dose is needed to boost immunity further. For now and until told otherwise, to protect yourself and your family, friends, and local community, people who have been vaccinated, must still:

• practice social distancing
• wear a face mask
• wash your hands carefully and frequently
• follow the national restrictions gov.uk/coronavirus

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.