When will I get the vaccine in Rutland?

New guidance has been posted by Rutland Health, our local Primary Care Trust, about the vaccination programme in the county.

They explain that the programme began in December but the delivery of the vaccine remains "erratic and unpredictable".

A few common questions are answered.

• When will I be contacted about receiving the vaccine?
• I have had one dose, when is my second?
• Can I have my vaccination at home? I can't travel.
• When will I get the Coronavirus vaccine?
• What happens at the appointment?
• Where can I find more information?
• More questions...

When will I be contacted about receiving the vaccine?

The trust says:

"Our next vaccine deliveries will be in January.  We will be telephoning patients over 80 from January 4^th onwards to book these appointments once we know when to expect the vaccine. We will be calling again those patients who missed our calls when we were booking the first group.  We are expecting to have offered the vaccine to everyone over 80 who can come to the vaccination centre by the end of January  2021. We will be using the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine.
More information about the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine can be found here."

I have had one dose, when is my second?

Planned second doses of the vaccine have been cancelled and will be resceduled in due course.

The decision has been made by NHS England so that more people can be protected by receiving their first dose.

Second doses will now be rescheduled for 12 weeks after the first. Patients who are affected will receive a letter.

More information about why your appointment is being rescheduled can be found here.

Can I have my vaccination at home? I can't travel.

It is currently not possible to vaccinate people who cannot travel to the council office site because the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine must be kept at a very cold temperature and cannot be moved.

National instructions on use of the Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine are now being published, and they are planning how we can safely vaccinate housebound patients.

More information about the Astra Zeneca vaccine can be found here.

When will I get the Coronavirus vaccine?

There are over 2500 people over 80 in Rutland, and the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine is delivered in batches of 975, so don’t worry if you have not been contacted straight away.

The national priority list which we must follow is as follows:

1. residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2. all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. all those 75 years of age and over
4. all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. all those 65 years of age and over
6. all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. Cohort 6 also includes unpaid carers.
7. all those 60 years of age and over
8. all those 55 years of age and over
9. all those 50 years of age and over

More information about the prioritisation can be found here.

Do not contact your practice – they will contact you.

What happens at the appointment?

If your practice has your mobile phone number, information will be sent to you by text message. Please respond to this as soon as possible to secure your appointments. The automated system message sends a link to your smartphone which allows you to book. This does not work with some older phones, so if you are unable to book using the link we will contact you by telephone.

Unfortunately there are scams and hoaxes coming through. The NHS will NEVER ask for your bank details. The link we send simply takes you to a choice of booking slot.

They will be sending booking details for the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to your mobile phone if you have one over the next few weeks and months. If you are aged over 70 and have not received a SMS or text about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme then we do not have your mobile phone number. If you have a mobile phone please let your practice know the number by writing to your practice or emailing rutlandhealth.cvp@nhs.net. Please do not phone your practice. If you do not have a mobile phone we will contact you.

If you do not have a mobile phone we will telephone you and offer appointment times. Please make the vaccination a priority and accept the time if you can.

You cannot have a vaccination if you:

1. have a high temperature or fever
2. Had another vaccination within 7 days.
3. Have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any of the components of the vaccine or to multiple medications. (this guidance has just changed)
4. Are taking warfarin and your INR reading is above 4. If you are taking warfarin please bring your yellow book when you come for your vaccination.
5. Have had a positive COVID-19 test within the last 4 weeks.
6. Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 2 months, unless you have a serious health condition that puts you at high risk of complications from COVID-19 infection.
   For the COVID-19 vaccination guide for women of childbearing age, pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding click here.

What happens on the day?

The vaccination centre will be Council Offices, Catmose House, Catmos Road, Oakham, LE15 6HP not your GP surgery. There is adequate free marshalled parking at the site and wheelchair access. There are no toilet facilities available at the site. The nearest toilets are at Church Street, Oakham.

1. Wear a face covering.
2. Maintain strict safe social distancing of 2m.
3. Make sure you are wearing a short sleeve top under your coat as injections will not be given in a private room. You will also need a warm coat.
4. All queuing will be outside, don’t forget your umbrella and a warm coat. Queues should be short because we have booked appointment times.
5. Your temperature will be checked before you enter the building.
6. The vaccinator will ask you some questions.
7. The vaccinator will give you an injection into your upper arm.
8. You will be observed for 15 minutes before you are permitted to leave.

Where can I find more information?

For the COVID-19 vaccination guide for older adults click here.

For the COVID-19 vaccination guide for social care staff click here.

For information on what to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination click here.

What should I do now?

1. Let us know using this form if you do not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community. You do not need to let us know that you want the vaccination – your practice will contact you. You can post the form to your practice or email to rutlandhealth.cvp@nhs.net.
   – Click here for the COVID-19 consent form for adults able to consent.
   – Click here for the consent forms for adults living in care homes including those who have appointed a power of attorney.
2. If you have a mobile phone number or email address that your practice doesn’t know, please let us know by visiting your surgery website and informing us. The information about the vaccination programme changes every day and this is the fastest way to keep you up to date. Your appointment will be offered by SMS if we have your mobile number.
3. Let us know if you are over 80 and have additional needs, for example if you will need a wheelchair or additional help by emailing rutlandhealth.cvp@nhs.net.

FAQs

Information about the Council Offices in Oakham:

• The full address is – Council Offices, Catmose House, Catmos Road, Oakham, LE15 6HP.
• There is free parking on-site
• There will be Marshalls on site to help direct cars and people on the day.
• There will be on-site reception for booking people in.
• There will be clear signs and Marshalls on hand who will show you where to go to have your vaccination and how to exit the building.
• The building has wheelchair access and exit.
• There will be experienced trained healthcare professionals from local practices in Rutland on-site supervised by a GP who will look after you from start to finish. In the unlikely event of an allergic reaction there will be anaphylaxis kits and a defibrillator available.
• We will maintain social distancing and ensure you receive your vaccine safely and swiftly.
• You will be asked to wait for 15 minutes after your vaccination to ensure you do not have a reaction, the waiting area is inside and will be socially distanced.
• Please arrive promptly at your appointment time to prevent delays. Do not arrive more than 5 minutes before your appointment time.

Will the vaccine have side effects?

• Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them.
• Even if you do have symptoms after the first dose, you still need to have the second dose.
• Although you may get some protection from the first dose, having the second dose will give you the best protection against the virus.
• Very common side effects include:
  • Having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1-2 days after the vaccine
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • General aches, or mild flu like symptoms
  • About Fever…

Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection. You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help you feel better. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week.

Can I choose which vaccine I receive?

We cannot offer you a choice of vaccine because we receive intermittent limited supplies and we are instructed who to give them to.

I have had the flu vaccine; do I need the COVID-19 vaccine as well?

• The flu vaccine does not protect you from COVID-19
• As you are eligible for both vaccines you can have both but should be separated by at least a week.

Can I catch COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No this is not possible symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111.

Please take the time to download and look through our COVID-19 Vaccination – A Guide for Adults leaflet by clicking on the image below.