THE Covid vaccination rollout has stepped up a gear with GP surgeries stocking the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab from Friday, January 8.
It is hoped that more than 700 GP surgeries across the UK could be delivering the Oxford jab by the end of the week, which can be stored at fridge temperatures.
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How will I be contacted to get the Covid vaccine?
Those who are most at risk from Covid are being offered the vaccine first, which includes people aged over 80 in hospital, frontline health staff and care home workers.
The NHS will get in touch with you when it is your turn to be vaccinated – do not contact them beforehand.
As soon as it’s your turn to get the vaccine, you will be invited either by phone or letter.
You will need to be registered with a GP surgery in order to receive the vaccine.
Can I buy a Covid vaccine?
At the moment, Covid vaccines cannot be bought privately.
The Government states the “vaccination is only available through the NHS to eligible groups and it is a free vaccination”.
This is because no stocks have been made available to private clinics, with vaccines bought on a national level and only available as part of the NHS rollout.
Where will the Covid vaccine be given?
Seven vaccination centres will open next week in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Surrey and Stevenage.
Most vaccinations will take place at the vaccination centres, however if people are unable to get to their nearest centre some teams can visit people in their homes.
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However because the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -70C, delivery of this vaccine could prove tricky.
However the rollout of the Oxford vaccine – which can be stored in a normal fridge – means GP surgeries will be able to deliver the jab more easily.
It’s hoped more than 700 GP surgeries will be delivering vaccines by the end of the week.
On its website the NHS states: “The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible.”
With the roll out of the Oxford vaccine, the aim is to vaccinate every care home resident by the end of January, while all over 70s and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable by mid-Feburary.
Other priority groups will then be invited for their jabs, possibly by Easter.
