Your local GP practice is receiving a large number of calls regarding the coronavirus vaccine. We hope the information below will save you from having to call them.
On the key question of when you will be vaccinated, please wait to be contacted. Your GP (or the NHS) will let you know when it is your turn to have the vaccine.
It is important NOT to contact your GP or the NHS for a vaccination before then.
Please do make sure your mobile number or home phone number is up to date so that your GP can contact you at the correct time (so DO contact your GP practice to update your details).
Which vaccines are available?
The government has approved two vaccines as at 4th Janaury 2021; Pfizer BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca.
More information about the vaccines can be found here
When will I get vaccinated?
The government decides who gets vaccinated and when; and we must follow the guidelines that are given.
[ Update: 12 February, 2021 ]
From Monday 15th February 2021, you will be contacted by your GP or the NHS to be invited for Covid-19 Vaccination. This has been announced by Pulse Magazine the online magazine for GP’s in the UK. It say’s the following :
People with EPILEPSY (and other underlying disabilities) are in Priority Group 6, which states :
Patients aged between 16 years and 64 years with underlying health conditions (those that usually receive the flu vaccine each year).
This order of eligibility is based upon guidance from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) as follows:
- 1. Residents and staff in a care home for older adults*
- 2. Patients aged 80 years and over and frontline health and social care workers*
- 3. Patients aged 75 years and over
- 4. Patients aged 70 years and over and those on the shielding list
- 5. Patients aged 65 years and over
- 6. Patients aged between 16 years and 64 years with underlying health conditions (those that usually receive the flu vaccine each year)
- 7. Patients aged 60 years and over
- 8. Patients aged 55 years and over
- 9. Patients aged 50 years and over
A leaflet explaining why you may have to wait can be found here.
Please be assured that as soon as your group becomes eligible, you will be invited in for vaccination.
That is why it is critical that your GP have up to date landline numbers, mobile numbers and email addresses so they can contact you.
How quickly will I get immunity after vaccination?
The scientists tell us that your body generally starts to produce an immune response about 21 days after vaccination, but each individual may be slightly different.
Even if you are immune, the scientists are unsure whether you can still carry the virus and therefore infect other people. That is why you should continue to take precautions even after you have been vaccinated.
So, continue to observe social distancing and wash your hands regularly.
What about the new variants of Coronavirus that are being discovered?
It’s good to know that ALL viruses naturally mutate over time and have different strains. We can be certain that the available vaccines are effective against all strains of Covid-19.
We will update this guidance as often as necessary, so please do check back here regularly to get up to date information.
Bristol Epilepsy Social Support Group 