How will I be contacted to get the Covid vaccine?

THE COVID vaccination rollout has this week stepped up a gear, with GPs starting to deliver the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.

It is hoped more than 700 GP surgeries across the UK could be delivering the Oxford jab, which can be stored at fridge temperatures.

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How will I be contacted to get the Covid vaccine?

All Covid vaccines are being given in order of greatest priority, according to the JCVI list, agreed by experts.

Those at greatest risk include the over 80s, care home residents as well as frontline NHS staff and care home workers.

With the roll out of the Oxford jab, the Government's aim is to vaccinate every care home resident by the end of January.

Meanwhile all over 70s, healthcare workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable should be jabbed by mid-February, under plans designed to bring us out of lockdown.

The NHS will get in touch with you when it is your turn to be vaccinated – you 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 they will be able to have their jabs at GP surgeries and local centres.

Only the Oxford vaccine can be given at these big centres.

The the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -70C, and so delivery is limited to hospitals and centres where they have the appropriate storage facilities.

In contrast the the Oxford vaccine can be stored in a normal fridge an allows it to be stored easily by GP surgeries, speeding up the roll out.

On its website the NHS states: "The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible."

Once the top four priority groups have been vaccinated by mid-February, the roll out will continue down the JCVI list.

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