Summer is just starting to fade and now that time of year is fast approaching, we wanted to share our plans with you for the coming Autumn.
For the past 18 months, our practice, has worked with the other four practices in the North Cotswolds to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination programme from the North Cotswolds Hospital, in Moreton in Marsh. We are very proud to say that it was one of the most successful programmes in Gloucestershire.
We are pleased to advise our patients that we are, once again all working together to deliver the Autumn vaccination programme of Covid boosters and Seasonal Influenza vaccinations. We understand that we are most likely to be vaccinating with the mRNA bivalent vaccine alongside the age-appropriate seasonal influenza vaccinations. Vaccinations will be available to all patients over 50 years, 16-49 years with underlying health conditions, anyone clinically extremely vulnerable, pregnant ladies and healthcare/care home staff.
The team, based at the North Cotswold Community Hospital site is made up of staff from our practice along with colleagues from other local practices. They work alongside colleagues from the Primary Care Network and our wonderful volunteer workers.
The clinics, where Autumn Covid Booster and Flu vaccinations will be available at the same time, will start at the hospital, towards the end of September.
Our most vulnerable patients, resident in local care homes will be vaccinated in mid- September then our clinics, at the hospital, (which will predominately be at weekends) will run through October and November.
During the week, the hospital and the surgeries will be working as usual and so there will not be any vaccinations or staff in the hospital during the working day so please do not just drop in.
Patients with mobile telephones, will as previously be invited by text message so please ensure that we have your up to date contact details.
The appointment booking hub will re-open shortly (Tel: 01608 692115) and will be contacting those unable to book online and without a mobile phone.
We would be very grateful if our patients awaited their invitation and contacted the hub telephone number only with queries. This will help us to keep the surgery telephone lines and our receptionists free for our routine daily work. We will need your patience to get through everyone in turn.
You may receive an invitation from the National Booking System starting from 5th September. You do not have to travel out of the area to get vaccinated (unless you wish to), as we have sufficient vaccine for all those eligible who are registered with the practice.
We wish you a very healthy time for the remaining days of the summer and look forward to seeing you in the vaccination clinics to ensure you are safe and protected for the coming winter season.