We will be offering Spring Covid boosters (4th doses/ 2nd booster) to all patients aged 75 and over who are 6 months since their last booster (and who have not had Covid in the past month). This applies to anybody who turns 75 by the 30th June 2022. We have scheduled two Saturdays to try and accommodate when most people are due- 23rd and 30th April. These sessions will be at Audley Health Centre. We will contact people by text or phone call to book these appointments and will start doing this contacting from Wednesday 30th March onwards. There is also the option for people to use the National Booking System (NBS) if that suits them better.
Patients who are immunosuppressed will also be eligible for another booster 6 months after their last dose. In the majority of cases, this will represent a fifth dose of vaccine.
We will also be vaccinating our care home residents (in Wilbraham House and The Poplars) on Friday 8th April.
There is always the option to book a 1st, 2nd or booster dose. To do this, email vac.audley@nhs.net stating which vaccine dose you want to book.
Some individuals are unable to be vaccinated and also, in some cases, tested for medical reasons. You can apply for proof that you have a medical reason why you should not be vaccinated or why you should not be vaccinated and tested.
If you get this proof of medical exemption you’ll be able to use the NHS COVID Pass wherever you need to prove your COVID-19 status within England.
Until 24 December 2021, you can self-certify that you’re medically exempt if you work or volunteer in a care home.
Some businesses in England choose to use the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry. Until 24 December, businesses can decide whether to allow in people who self-declare that they’re medically exempt.
From 25 December, if you’re unable to get vaccinated, you’ll have to use the NHS COVID Pass in the same way that people who are fully vaccinated use it.
For full information on the requirements for proof regarding being exempt from Covid-19 vaccination please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-medical-exemptions-proving-you-are-unable-to-get-vaccinated
With the new legal requirements regarding face coverings coming into effect in England, we thought it might be useful to explain when and who requires a covid exemption card/certificate.
If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:
This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.
However, if you feel more comfortable showing something that says you do not have to wear a face covering, this could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or sign. Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and not required by law.
If you wish to use an exemption card or badge, you can download and print out or show these templates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear them, so please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances.
Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering: