HUNDREDS of people will receive their coronavirus jab this week after seven mass vaccine hubs opened across England today.
The centres will be run by trained NHS experts with volunteers on hand to help process patients.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
The NHS has urged people to not contact their GP directly regarding the vaccine.
It is currently prioritising people who experts have agreed will benefit the most from receiving the jab first.
The most vulnerable people in society will get the jab first with care home residents and their carers, along with those over the age of 80.
But when will you get a vaccine and how can you get an appointment at one of the seven jab centres across England?
First in line will be those over the age of 80 as well as care home residents.
The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Last month residents in care homes started to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and people across the country have today also received the Oxford/AstraZenenca jab at the seven mass sites.
When you get your jab depends on where you are in the priority list.
So far, 1.5million Brits have been vaccinated as part of ambitious plans to give out 200,000 doses a day by next week.
The aim is to ultimately get 15million jabs into arms by March – which is a huge logistical mission.
With many care home residents now having been vaccinated hundreds of thousands of over 80s were urged to book a Covid vaccine this week as further sites open across the UK.
Over the weekend, the NHS says it sent out over 130,000 letters with over 500,000 set to arrive on doormats later this week.
HOW TO BOOK MY VACCINE
Letters sent to those who qualify to have the vaccine give details on how to book your jab in each area.
The letters explain how the slots can be booked through the national booking service online or over the phone.
The NHS said that the centres are an additional option for people, who can book an appointment at one of the seven centres through the national booking service online or over the phone.
If they can't make an appointment this way then they can be jabbed at one of their local vaccine centres.
In order to be eligible for the vaccine, the NHS says that you have to be registered with a GP surgery in England.
To start the booking process you can follow the link sent to you on your letter.
You can only use the service if you have had a letter sent to you and the NHS states that you might not get your letter straight away.
Before you start to fill out the form you will be asked for your NHS number.
This number will be displayed on any previous letters the NHS has sent you – such as your shielding letter and it will consist of 10 numbers.
It does however state that if you don't know your NHS number then you will still be able to book an appointment.
If this is the case you will be asked for your first and second name, your gender and your date of birth as well as your postcode.
This is so the NHS can access your records and book you in at a centre close to you.
This also checks your eligibility for the vaccine and the system will prompt you if it's not yet your turn.
AT THE APPOINTMENT
When you arrive at the vaccine centre you will be greeted by a volunteer who will help you.
The NHS states that your appointment should take 30 to 40 minutes and that this will include a check to make sure all of your booking reference numbers match up.
You will then have to answer questions about your medical history before having a jab.
After having the jab you will be asked to wait for around 15 minutes, this is in the unlikely event that you have an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
In the unlikely event that this happens, trained professionals will be on hand to assist.
Source: Read Full Article