Covid-19 Information

Autumn 2023 Covid Booster Campaign – Wantage PCN - FAQ's

When does the Autumn 23 Covid Booster Vaccine programme start?

11th September across the UK – The National Booking Service is available to use for all those who are eligible – Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

How do I know if I am in the eligible groups this time?

JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) advises that for the 2023 autumn booster programme, the following groups should be offered a COVID-19 vaccine:

residents in a care home for older adults
all adults aged 65 years and over.
persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma among many other conditions
frontline health and social care workers
persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression.
persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers, and staff working in care homes for older adults.

How can I arrange an appointment for my Covid vaccines?

Please do not phone the practice. If you are in the highest risk groups, you will receive a text message or phone call to arrange your clinic date / time in the next few weeks. If you are not in the highest risk groups, you may be waiting several weeks to be offered an appointment and so you may prefer to book now via the National Booking Service.

What if I can’t make the clinic that I am invited to?

Please let the practice know as soon as soon as you can so they can offer the appointment to someone else. We can then offer you an alternative date.

I am 64 years of age – can I have the Covid Booster vaccine this year?

Patients who are 65 years of age by 31 March 2024 are eligible for the Covid vaccine this year.

I have never had a Covid vaccination. Will I be able to be vaccinated now?

If you have not started your primary course, you will still be offered just one vaccine in this programme.

I have had my first Covid vaccination but not my second primary vaccine. How do I arrange my second vaccine?

If you have not completed your primary course, you will still be offered just one vaccine in this programme.

How long do I need to wait to have my booster after my last Covid vaccine dose?

You must wait at least 3 months between Covid vaccine doses.

I am 18 years + and have had a positive Covid test. Should I still have my Flu / Covid vaccination?

Previous advice was to wait 28 days after a positive Covid test before receiving a vaccination, but this advice is no longer reccomended. However, we would ask patients who have had a recent positive covid test to rebook when they are testing negative to avoid sharing the infection in the clinic.

I am pregnant. Should I have a Covid booster vaccine?

Yes – you are eligible for the Covid booster and should take up this offer as soon as possible. The Covid-19 vaccination helps to protect both pregnant mother and baby and should not be delayed until after you have given birth.

Covid Vaccination for Children aged 5-17 years.

We are not able to vaccinate anyone under 18 years of age. Please arrange for your child to be vaccinated by using the National Booking System.

The Covid Vaccination Programme has evolved over the last 3 years and the Practice follows NHS England guidelines at all times. At the time of writing all the above information was correct but please check the practice website regularly for more updates as the programme progresses. Thank you for your support whilst we run this programme as best we can whilst keeping both Practices fully open and with all normal services continuing.