Do I need to book for the clinics at PPL/Langford surgery?
Yes, these are not walk-in clinics, you need to make an appointment.
We will send you an invitation to book on line when you are due to have your Covid booster if you are in one of the eligible cohorts.
I can’t make the time given to me in my invitation letter
We strongly encourage patients to make every effort to attend for these important vaccinations on the date and time given – the aim is to spread the appointments through the day to avoid “bunching” and queues as far as possible, in order to keep people safe.
You can also book via 119 into the National Booking System for other providers offering boosters and 3rd primary doses.
My spouse/partner has an appointment to one of these clinics, but it’s at a different time. Can we come together?
Households where both individuals have an appointment but at different times are welcome to come together at the same time – you don’t need to phone us to advise this, just turn up together.
Why are vaccinations only being offered at Langford Surgery – why are you not doing clinics in Yatton, Clevedon, Worle or Congresbury?
We are able to administer both the annual flu vaccination and the booster Covid vaccination at the same time in line with advice issued to us by JCVI [Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations]. This minimises the number of times patients have to attend for a vaccination. Langford Surgery is our only North Somerset site authorised and approved to administer the Covid vaccinations.
I can’t get to the Surgery : what do I do?
We hope that most people will have a friend, neighbour or relative who will be able to bring them to the clinic if they are unable to drive themselves – this is one reason why we have scheduled the clinics at weekends rather than during the working week. Local community transport helplines serve communities across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucester.
Bristol – find details at bristol.gov.uk Community and disabled persons transport – bristol.gov.uk
North Somerset – find details at North Somerset Council’s online directory
https://nsod.n-somerset.gov.uk and type in “transport” in the search bar or phone Care Connect on 01934 888 801.
South Gloucestershire – find details at South Gloucestershire Councils website
Community transport | South Gloucestershire Council (southglos.gov.uk)
Do I need to bring my invitation letter to the vaccination clinic?
If you have received a letter please bring it to the vaccination clinic as the letter includes your personal details which are needed to record your vaccination status. Otherwise we will need to take your details at the clinic so we can add details of the vaccination to your health record.
Why are there not more clinics?
These are the initial clinics for the first cohorts of patients eligible for the vaccinations. We will be inviting patients to future clinics once we have guidance on the next cohort of eligible patients.
I am under 50, can I have a vaccination?
Currently no, unless you have received an invitation letter or text from us. Currently you cannot have a vaccination at these initial clinics. Further details will come from NHS England and Public Health on when other groups can obtain their vaccinations and we will organise further clinics and invite patients at that time.
What about children?
Nasal flu services will be offered to children aged 2 – 3 as in previous years and we have sent letters to parents inviting them to bring their children to clinics.
Covid vaccinations for children aged 12 – 15 will be given in a school setting (with a small number of community clinics for young people who are unable to attend school-based clinics). Parents/carers will be sent information about both vaccinations by their child’s school or local authority which will include a link to an online consent portal. Parents should wait to be contacted by the school or local authority. Practices are not authorised to vaccinate this particular cohort of patients so if your child has missed the vaccination at school, please go back to the school and ask when they will be organising “mop up” clinics.
Medical exemption from vaccination
The government has published details about medical exemptions from the Covid-19 Vaccine:
COVID-19 medical exemptions: proving you are unable to get vaccinated – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you believe you should have an exemption for a medical exemption please call 119.
Is it safe to have both the Covid vaccine and ‘Flu vaccines together?
Studies to date have not shown any issues in having both covid and ‘flu vaccines at the same time. For many years babies have had several vaccinations at the same time, none have shown to cause problems or concerns.
Which Covid vaccine will I get?
Currently we are using Pfizer vaccine as that is what is being supplied to us. It does not matter which vaccine you had initially and your booster will work effectively if you had a different initial Covid vaccine. We will also be using Moderna vaccine over the coming months.
Will I get a card with the details of the booster as given for the 1st and 2nd doses?
No, currently you won’t. All the information will be uploaded to your medical record and available via the NHS app.
What if I have been tested positive for Covid?
You will not be able to have the booster vaccination until at least 28 days from the date of your positive Covid test.
Where else can I get my booster?
You can use the online service from the nhs.uk website to book a booster dose
Book or manage a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
You can use this service if you are either:
• aged 50 and over
• aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts you at high risk from COVID-19
The NHS will contact you when you’re eligible to book using this service.
If you have not been contacted but it’s been 6 months and 1 week (189 days) since your 2nd dose, please try to book your appointment using this service.
You can also use this service if you’re a frontline health and social care worker. You’ll only be able to book an appointment for a booster dose if it’s been at least 6 months (182 days) since your 2nd dose of the vaccine.
You need to:
• book 1 appointment for 1 booster dose
• wait 4 weeks (28 days) before booking if you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test, starting from the date you had the test.
Helping avoid traffic congestion
Please be mindful of inconvenience to local residents when attending a vaccination clinic at Pudding Pie Lane Surgery and avoid parking in such a way as to obstruct access, particularly along Pudding Pie Lane itself.
