Covid-19 Booster vaccinations

We have now received confirmation that the COVID-19 booster vaccinations are going ahead for priority groups 1-9 per the diagram below. This is those people aged 50+, residents and staff in care homes, health and social care workers and those clinically vulnerable. It is the same cohorts that are eligible for this year’s flu vaccination.

As before we need to work through the priority order starting with groups 1 & 2 and will work through the groups. We will contact you to invite you for your vaccination as soon as you become eligible. Please note there must be at least 6 months between your last COVID-19 vaccination and this 3^rd booster dose.  

We are advised that all patients will be receiving the Pfizer vaccination, regardless of the vaccination they had last time so there will be the requirement to wait on site for 15 minutes after you have been vaccinated.

All Covid-19 vaccination clinics will take place at the Riviera Centre in Torquay as before as this allows us to get though over 1,500 patients per day whilst social distancing. There is also lots of parking on site and adequate clinically trained staff to observe during the waiting period. For clinic details please see below, these dates are subject to change.

Please do not turn up for a booster vaccine without having a booked appointment as we will not be able to accept walk-ins for boosters during these clinics.

Patients aged 17 and under only require one dose of the vaccine unless they are immunocompromised.  We are waiting on clarification of the final guidelines regarding those patients age 17 and 9 months to 18 years.  Once we have this information we will update the website.

The programme to vaccinate the healthy 12–15 year olds will be a school-based programme, the same as flus for this cohort. We are unable to vaccinate this cohort at the Riviera Centre and any queries should be directed to the school immunisation team.

Please do not contact the surgery asking for a vaccine certificate, we do not have the capacity to provide these.  

Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHS app. In addition, you can use the app to order repeat medication and view test results.

The NHS APP can be downloaded from HERE for iPhone or HERE for android.   

Alternatively, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you. 

To find out more about travelling abroad please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad.

In order to be able to offer a more flexible booking process for the Covid-19 vaccination program, we are sending a text message to patients who have a mobile phone listed on their records. This page has some Frequently Asked Questions about this process.

Who does the text come from?

The text will come from “Chelston Hall Surgery” and will invite you by name.

How do we know the text is genuine?

The booking link includes “nhs.uk”. If you do receive a link you’re unsure about, please remember, we will never ask for your bank details or take payment for the vaccine.

I share a mobile number with my partner and children – how do I know who the invite is for?

The invite will say your name, but if there is more than one person with that name and the incorrect person tries to book, they will not be able to get through security. 

What if I can’t click the link, or don’t have internet access?

Please contact the surgery on 01803 605117, choosing option 3 for General Enquiries, alternatively email direct to chelston.hall@nhs.net.

Where are the clinics?

The clinics are at the Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC) in Torquay . When you book, you will get a confirmation text with the address details.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Yes, please wear a face covering if you are able to. If you have a medical exemption, please wear a face shield instead. This is for your protection, as well as other patients and staff on site.

What if I get a temperature, a cough or loss of taste or smell?

If you are currently isolating, please do not book an appointment yet, wait until you have a negative test result. If you develop symptoms after booking, you can cancel your appointment using the same link.

What if I’ve had Covid recently?

Current advice is not to have the vaccine if you’ve had a Covid positive test in the last four weeks. We will be contacting all our patients that have been invited and not booked an appointment. If you cancelled your appointment and would like to book again please call the surgery after 11AM.

What if there are no appointments when I click the link?

Please keep trying every day or two over the next week as new appointments will be added as we get new vaccines delivered.

What about my second vaccination?

You will be invited to book this at a later date.

What if I’ve booked through the National Booking Centre or a Local Pharmacy Service?

That’s fine – we are just pleased you are getting vaccinated! There is no need to tell us, we will get notified automatically.

Can my partner use my text link to book?

The link is only valid for the person it is sent to. Your partner will get a text of their own, or a telephone call, to book them in.

Is there parking on site?

Yes, there is a car park, and marshals to help keep traffic moving.

I need a carer to support me in accessing the appointment – am I allowed to bring them?

Yes, please ask them to wear a mask. 

I am a single parent and don’t have childcare for my children, can I bring them with me?

We encourage everyone to come on their own where possible for everyone’s safety. If this is not possible, you can bring your child(ren) with you, if they are able to wear a mask, please do get them to do so.

I have a question about side effects – who can I ask?

All the up to date information about the vaccines can be found HERE

I want to choose the vaccine I have – how do I know what is being given?

At the moment, we have been allocated both the Pfizer and the Astra Zeneca vaccines, and each clinic will have one or the other. We do not offer the choice of the vaccine. If there is a medical reason why you cannot have one of the vaccines, please ring the practice (after 11AM) to discuss.

I cannot get to the Vaccination Centres as I don’t drive – how can I get help?

Please see the below information on a couple of local volunteer organisations that might be able to assist you with transport:

KARING is a registered charity operating in the Preston district of Paignton, Devon providing transport run by volunteers. They can be contacted on 01803 524799. For the website click HERE

TORBAY Community Helpline is a community helpline, started initially for those affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Tel. 01803 446022 For the website click HERE

I am housebound and not able to get to the Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC) in Torquay – can I have the vaccine at home?

If you are genuinely housebound, please call the surgery to discuss.  Please note, if you are able to attend hospital appointments you will be advised to attend for the vaccination, we have limited resources in regards to housebound visits.

I’ve recently had the vaccination but still got a text invite, is this an error?

It can take a few days for the system to record your vaccination onto your medical record. As a result, you may receive an SMS invite following your vaccination appointment. If it is more than a few days since you had the vaccine, please contact us using the admin pathway on eConsult or e-mail us.

How can I be confident that my data is secure using this link?

The system we are using to offer these appointments is called “accuBook” which is run by “accuRx”. This is the same company we use to send text messages to our patients. accuBook is an NHS Digital assured appointment management solution, and more information on this service can be found by clicking HERE

If you want general advice regarding Coronavirus please go to :

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response