CORONAVIRUS
COVID VACCINATION ROLLOUT- Message from Clinical Services Manager
At PSM Medical Group the Covid vaccine programme is being delivered alongside routine work and whilst still delivering the flu vaccination programme. We will be vaccinating patients based on the age priority list as issued by HM Government. Patients over the age of 80 being first and as a practice we have begun vaccinating patients based on the age priority list. Only patients with a booked appointment will be vaccinated.
Patients will require a second dose however this will now be given at weeks 9-12 and not week 3 in line with recently published government guidelines. Patients will be given the same vaccine for the second dose as the first dose.
In order to deliver the covid vaccination programme we are working with 9 other local surgeries within our Primary Care Network (PCN). Due to the temperature/storage requirements of the vaccine and the fact we only have a limited amount of days to use the vaccine once delivered, appointment dates are limited and these clinics will be based at Geoffrey Health Centre, Preston. We are working to extremely short turnaround times once we have confirmation of delivery of this vaccine in order to book patients an appointment.
The Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine is also now available and appointments for this vaccine are also offered at Geoffrey Health Centre.
All eligible patients will be contacted by text or telephone. Over time all patients within the priority groups who wish to have the vaccine will be able to have the vaccine. However we ask that you are patient. We are unable to advise in advance any upcoming clinic dates as the current delivery schedule for the vaccines is very sporadic.
Patients’ who have not yet been contacted, will be contacted as more deliveries dates are confirmed. NHS England are managing and coordinating delivery nationally.
Our phone lines are extremely busy and it is important that patients who need medical care are able to access our telephone lines so we therefore ask that you do not ring us about this, we will contact you when we receive notification of further vaccine supply.
Thank you for your patience.
If you are currently experiencing a high temperature (over 37.8°C), OR have a new, continuous cough, OR experiencing loss of taste and smell then please protect yourself and others by staying home and not visiting the Practice.
If you cannot manage your symptoms at home, then please contact the NHS 111 Online Service by following this link.
Daily updates for the public, including case numbers, risk level and travel advice, can be found via the Government website.
Medical guidance for members of the public can also be found on the NHS website.
FAQ's for high risk patients can be found here.
*GPs and community pharmacies will be able to offer flu vaccinations to all 50-64-year olds from 1 December.
Please DO NOT contact the Practice, we will contact you about getting a vaccination. Please DO NOT attend your local pharmacy for a vaccination without first having an appointment booked.*
You may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stressed amidst the current Coronavirus outbreak 💭.
It’s normal and you are not alone.
Visit #EveryMindMatters for helpful tips to help you stay on top of your mental health: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/