Pharmacies are on board so we can get jab done
AS the vaccination programme continues to be rolled out across Derby and Derbyshire, I am delighted that six of our community pharmacies are leading vaccination sites.
The pharmacy-led sites are: Ikhlas Education Centre, Clarence Road, Derby; Hatton Community Centre; Horsley Woodhouse Village Hall; Casa Hotel, Chesterfield; St John’s Methodist Church, Allestree; and Pinxton Village Hall.
People who are eligible can book appointments at the pharmacy sites using the National Booking System.
At the moment the vaccine is being offered to over-70s, health and social care workers, people who live and work in care homes and people who are at high risk from coronavirus.
The pharmacy sites are situated in the hearts of communities and pharmacy teams are encouraging all eligible people to attend.
We are really pleased that many councillors and other local leaders have visited the pharmacy vaccination sites and some have recorded community messages in different languages to help reach minority groups to ensure no one is missed.
If you are over 70 and have not been vaccinated yet you can make a booking at one of the pharmacy sites by going to www.nhs.uk/conditions/ coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/
In addition to the pharmacy sites, there are several Primary Care Network vaccination sites in Derbyshire. Appointments for these sites are made via your GP practice.
Between the pharmacies, the Primary Care Network sites and Derby Arena, we are all working together to get everyone vaccinated as soon as possible!
If you are not yet eligible for the vaccine, you need to wait to be contacted by the NHS.
You will be contacted when it is your turn and do not need to contact the
NHS about getting a vaccination before then. We all expect that over the next week vaccinations will start to be offered to those aged 65–69.
The Covid-19 vaccine is given as an injection in your upper arm and is in two doses.
After you have has had your first dose, the second will be offered to you 12 weeks later.
The first dose will give you good protection but you need to have two for long-term protection.
Because of this you still need to stay home where possible. If you need to leave the house for essential reasons such as shopping or medical appointments, follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask when this is not possible.
The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met the strict standards of safety and quality required of all vaccinations and medicines used in the UK. There are currently three available, with others being developed.
These will only become available through the NHS once they have also met these strict standards.
Over 18 million people in the UK have already been given the Covid-19 vaccine and serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare.
As with most vaccinations and medicines, there are some side effects that some people may get after receiving the vaccine.
You arm may hurt where you received the vaccine, and you may feel tired, have a headache or feel achy or sick.
These should pass within a few days, but if they don’t and you are worried you can contact NHS 111.
The vaccination offers us all a real chance to start getting back to our dayto-day lives and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
However, until it is rolled out further, I encourage you all to stay safe and, if possible, stay home.
We are really pleased that many local leaders have visited the pharmacy vaccination sites. Jackie Buxton