COVID-19 Boosters 

Eligible patients include: 

• Those aged 75 and over
• Those aged 16 and over with a severley weakened immune system

If you are eligible, your booster appointment must be at least three months since your last primary dose (i.e. 2nd / 3rd dose).

We will be vaccinating eligible patients from practices within Central Camden Primary Care Network. These practices are:

1. Ampthill Practice
2. Bloomsbury Surgery
3. Brunswick Medical Centre
4. Camden Health Improvement Practice (CHIP)
5. Kings Cross Surgery
6. Regents Park Practice
7. Ridgmount Practice
8. Somers Town Medical Centre
9. Swiss Cottage Surgery    

At-risk patients or living with someone immunosuppressed’ 12-15yr olds: 

• All patients in this cohort are being called/recalled for their 1st, 2nd and booster dose and invited to attend the Peckwater Centre.
• If any patients still require a 1st or 2nd dose, please use the National Booking Service (NBS). You will need to attend the vaccination site with your child and consent will be sought on the day. Please read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.
• 2nd dose administered 8 weeks+ after 1st dose.

All other 12-15yr olds: 

• IN SCHOOL OFFER: The school vaccination team have been to all schools to administer the 1st doses in ‘healthy’ 12-15 year olds. They will visit all schools again to administer 2nd doses from 10th January 2022.
• OUT OF SCHOOL OFFER: Please  book an appointment for your childs 1st or 2nd dose on the National Booking Service (NBS). You will need to attend the vaccination site with your child and consent will be sought on the day. Please read the patient information in advance of arriving for their appointment.
• 2nd doses are administered 12 weeks+ after the 1st dose.
• Booster doses have not yet been advised by JCVI. 

Do I have to have my Covid-19 booster and flu vaccine at the same time?
No, you are able to have them separately. We will give you your Covid-19 vaccination on the day, and then show you how to book into a pharmacy to have your flu vaccination. 

Do I still need to be monitored for 15 minutes after my vaccination?
Due to the Omicron variant, the booster programme for adults is being accelerated. As part of this, and given the very low rate of anaphylaxis, the 15 minute wait has been suspended, as we now have much more experience with giving these vaccines to millions of people. Further information on this temporary suspension is available here. 

I'm a housebound patient, when will I be getting my booster vaccine? 
You should be contacted by the local district nursing team, please contact your registered GP practice if you have not yet been contacted. 

I'm due my booster dose and have not received my invite yet, what do I do? 
Please contact your registered GP practice. 

Do I have to have the same Covid-19 vaccine as last time?
No, we will be offering Pfizer only from our vaccination hub, and you are able to have this regardless of which vaccine you had previously. 

How do I book my flu vaccination if I have had my Covid-19 vaccine already?
Please follow this link to book your appointment at a local pharmacy. 

My vaccination record is missing information or is incorrect, how do I resolve this? 

1. Please contact the Vaccination Data Resolution Service (VDRS) by calling 119.
2. Select option 1 (England).
3. Select option 4 (To report an issue with your COVID vaccination record).
4. Ask to speak to the Vaccination Data Resolution Service (VDRS). You should get a call back within 21 days.

PLEASE NOTE: they cannot assist with queries related to vaccinations given overseas.

Why are certain groups targeted for the flu vaccine?
Complications from flu, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, are more common amongst people who suffer with other conditions, especially if they are also older.
In long-stay residential homes, vaccination against flu helps to prevent the fast spread of flu within the care home.

Why are people who live with those on the NHS shielded patient list being offered a flu vaccine?
The NHS is keen to keep those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 well this winter and doesn’t want them to catch flu and for their immune system to be under more pressure.

How long with the flu vaccine protect me for?
The flu vaccine will protect you for this upcoming flu season. If you are eligible for the flu vaccination, you should have it each year.

Can I take the flu vaccine while I’m taking antibiotics?
Yes, you are able to have the flu vaccine whilst taking antibiotics, as long as you are not unwell with a high temperature.

How long does it take for the flu vaccine to become effective?
It takes between 10-14 days for your immune system to respond fully after you have been given the flu vaccine.

Is there anyone who cannot have the flu vaccine?
You should not get the flu vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine, or one of its ingredients. This happens very rarely.
You will also need to take precautions if you have an egg allergy.
For more information on who should not have the flu vaccine, click here.

If I had the flu vaccine last year, do I need it again now?
Yes, the viruses that cause flu can change every year, which means the flu (and the vaccine) this winter may be different from last winter.

Can the flu vaccine cause flu?
No, the vaccine does not contain any live viruses, so it cannot cause you to be infected with flu.
You may get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days after your vaccination, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you had the injection, this is normal.
The nasal spray vaccine we use for children cannot cause flu because the viruses in it have been weakened to prevent this from happening.

When is the best time for me to have my flu vaccine?
The best time to have your flu vaccine is in the autumn, before flu starts circulating. If it ends up being later, it is always worth getting vaccinated.

 Can I have the flu vaccine if I am breastfeeding?
Yes, the vaccine poses no risk to a breastfeeding mother or her baby, or to pregnant women.

 Is it OK to have the flu vaccine during pregnancy?
Yes, in fact it is very important to have the flu vaccine if you are pregnant. 
It's safe to have at any stage of pregnancy, including in the first trimester and right up to the expected due date.
It helps protect the mother-to-be and newborn baby from catching flu.
Find out more about the flu vaccine in pregnancy.