Stockport GPs begin Covid Vaccine roll out

15th December 2020

GPs in Stockport begin Covid Vaccine roll out to help save lives

From Friday December 18, Stockport will begin vaccinating residents against coronavirus. NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group in partnership with GPs and Stockport Council have agreed the locations by invite only. Like hospital staff, who launched the world-leading campaign last week, practice teams are working rapidly to redesign their sites and put in place safe processes to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccination.

Led by GPs, practice nurses and community pharmacists, the first to be invited are over 80s who are registered with a Stockport GP practice with further invitations going out as soon as possible as the programme rapidly evolves.

Residents will receive an invitation for the vaccination by letter or phone. This will include all the information you need to book an appointment, including your NHS number. Please do not contact the NHS or your GP to get an appointment until you receive this. All those vaccinated will be booked in for their second critical jab, 21 days later.

Dr James Higgins, local GP and Clinical Director of Tame Valley Primary Care Network said;

“As a local GP I am proud to be part of this huge national effort to protect our patients against the virus and I would urge the public to attend when they are invited to have the vaccine.”

 “We would urge people not to contact their practice enquiring about vaccination, we will contact them by letter or phone.”

Councillor Jude Wells, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health at Stockport Council, said:

“I am thrilled that a number of local practices are starting to invite and book eligible patients in for the first dose of their COVID vaccine; those invited will be patients over the age of 80, in line with the Government’s recommendation. The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. It’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.”

Those receiving the vaccine may not be protected until at least seven days after their second dose. People who are suffering from a fever-type illness or Covid symptoms should postpone having the vaccine until they have recovered. You still need the vaccine if you have already had Covid-19 as this doesn’t mean you cannot get it again.

You can find out more about the vaccine at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-safe-and-important/

ENDS

 Notes to editors:

For further information please contact stockportccg.communications@nhs.net