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COVID-19

Vaccine Programme: Frequently Asked Questions

We understand lots of residents have questions or concerns about the vaccine itself, how the roll out programme is taking place and the practicalities of getting vaccinated. So we hope to have answered some of the main points that should help to alleviate any uncertainty or queries you might have.

Read Our FAQs About The Vaccination Programme

Booking Your COVID-19 Vaccine

GP-Led Local Vaccination Service

Our local GP-led vaccination services in North Tyneside are led by the four Primary Care Networks (PCNs) – groups of GP practices working together for their local communities – across three vaccination sites in the borough:

  • The Parks, North Shields – for those registered with a GP Practice in the Whitley Bay or North Shields PCN areas.
  • The Langdale Centre, Wallsend – for those registered with a GP Practice in the Wallsend PCN area.
  • The Oxford Centre, Longbenton – for those registered with a GP Practice in the North West PCN area.

PLEASE DO NOT PHONE YOUR GP ABOUT GETTING A COVID VACCINE, unless your GP Practice has texted, phoned or sent you a letter inviting you to book an appointment and you haven’t yet done so or you have a query relating to your 2nd vaccine that can’t be dealt with through the booking link provided.

These local GP-led sites above cannot be booked via the national booking service online or by ringing 119, but are accessed by GP invitation only.

GP-led sites are currently focused on ensuring 2nd doses of vaccine are delivered to the most vulnerable in our community from cohorts 1-9.

National Booking Service

You can book a COVID vaccine online on the link below via the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119, between 7am – 11pm, if:

  • You are aged 38 or over or turn 38 before the 1st July 2021
  • You are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • You have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
  • You have a learning disability
  • You are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
  • You get a Carer’s Allowance, get support following an assessment by the local authority or North Tyneside Carer’s Centre, or your GP record shows you are a carer

The National Booking Service now provides access to eight pharmacy hubs which are operational across North Tyneside, plus larger vaccination centres, such as Newcastle’s Centre for Life and Sunderland’s Nightingale Hospital. Other pharmacy hubs and larger vaccination centres are also available across the North East region, and more are opening all the time.

Your GP cannot provide help with the National Booking Service, please contact the service directly on-line or phone 119.

Our Local Vaccination Programme
Visit The NHS Booking Service

GP Services During COVID-19

GP Practices have remained open during the whole of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are busier than ever. A range of ways to speak to your GP now exist, from e-consults via practice websites, to video or phone consultations or face to face appointments when needed. If you need to contact a GP, please do not go into the surgery in person.
You can:

Your GP surgery will then give you advice about what to do.

A phone or video call with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional may be booked for you.

You’ll only be asked to visit the surgery if absolutely necessary.

Your GP surgery may be very busy at the moment.  So you may have to wait longer than usual to speak to someone if it’s not urgent.

You can find contact information for all North Tyneside practices here.

  • Volunteer with the Vaccination Programme

    We’re looking for volunteers from a clinical background to support us with the COVID-19 Vaccine Programme across North Tyneside.

    If you’re interested in volunteering with TyneHealth please click the button below and fill out our volunteering form.

  • Register To Volunteer

  • National Restrictions

    The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a roadmap to a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions. As of Monday 17th May:

    Most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted – although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal.

    Indoors, the Rule of 6 or 2 households will apply.

    Most businesses in all but the highest risk sectors will be able to reopen. In all sectors, COVID-Secure guidance will remain in place.

    Indoor hospitality will reopen –  customers will, however, have to order, eat and drink while seated.

    Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas can reopen.

    Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open plus indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will be allowed.

    Some larger performances and sporting events can take place with up to 1,000 people indoors, 4,000 most outdoor setting and up to 10,000 people in large outdoor seated venues.

    Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes, as well as funerals. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings.

  • Read the full details

  • NHS Coronavirus Information

    COVID-19 has been the single greatest public health emergency in the history of the NHS.

    It’s important we all do our bit to support our healthcare system and our own communities.

    For the latest up-to-date medical advice about Covid-19 and more please visit the NHS website.

  • Read the latest guidance

COVID-19 NHS Testing Sites (for People with Symptoms)

If you have COVID-19 symptoms you can get tested at either of North Tyneside’s two walk-through testing sites in North Shields and Wallsend, between 8am-8pm, 7 days a week including weekends.

Appointments must be booked in advance and can be made at the following website or by calling 119.

More information about these testing sites are available on the North Tyneside Council website here.

  • Parks Leisure Centre Overflow Car Park, North Shields
  • Coronation Street Car Park, Wallsend

COVID-19 Testing (for People without Symptoms)

Everyone in England without symptoms will now be able to access twice-weekly rapid tests for coronavirus.

North Tyneside Council are leading the initiative. From April 12th, everyone in the borough can access FREE tests via a variety of ways in North Tyneside, as below. Please remember to record your result, even if it’s negative, either online here or by calling 119.

  • Community testing in person and community collect at the Riverside Centre, North Shields: You can take a test at the site by booking an appointment here. Alternatively, you can pick up a box of tests to use at home from the centre. The centre is open seven days a week – you can find the opening times in the ‘details’ section here.
  • Pharmacy collect: Free tests can be picked up from pharmacies across North Tyneside. Over the coming weeks, more and more pharmacies will be signing up. NHS England’s site finder allows you to search pharmacies near you that offer pharmacy collect, see here.
  • NHS Test & Trace sites: The Parks Leisure Centre, in North Shields, and Coronation Street, Wallsend, operate as testing sites for people with symptoms in the morning, but are currently providing an afternoon collect option, where you can pick up a box of rapid tests to use at home. You don’t need to book to collect rapid tests, just turn up between 2.30pm and 8pm.
  • Education: Staff in all schools and students in secondary schools and colleges are already being given tests to use at home twice a week, throughout term time and the holidays.
  • Postal kits – LFD Direct: For people who can’t access tests through the other routes, you can order a box of tests online or through 119, which will be delivered to your home. Order them here.
  • Workplace testing: Lots of employers across North Tyneside are offering testing, so if your employer offers workplace testing this is a great route for you to access rapid tests.

Key Facts

  • One in three people with COVID-19 do not show symptoms and are unaware that they might be spreading the infection – this testing can help identify these individuals. Once identified, we are able to trace contacts and prevent transmission of infection to others.
  • The asymptomatic testing is to identify positive cases and it’s really important that those taking part continue to follow the government lockdown and public health advice, even if they test negative.
  • Please note, the rapid tests are for people without symptoms. Testing remains available for everyone in the borough with symptoms. If you have symptoms (a continuous cough, high temperate or loss/change to your sense of smell or taste), you should self-isolate and book a test at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

More information can be found on the North Tyneside Council website here.

COVID-19 Status Certification

Ahead of further lockdown restrictions easing please note the following:

  • GP practices CANNOT provide you with vaccination status certification.
  • Proof of vaccination status will be done via the existing NHS app.
  • You can download and register now on the app ahead of the system going live from Monday 17th May (17.05.21).
  • You can also call 119 if you need a letter for foreign travel.
  • We ask that you don’t call your GP practice about this, as our practices are unable to assist with this.

For details on how to download and use the NHS App with a smartphone or tablet visit the NHS website here.

For details on COVID-19 Status and why you might need it visit the UK Government website here.

#MyVaccineStoryNT

We have been capturing these moments to tell North Tyneside’s Vaccine Story – a moving digital record of the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS.

From volunteers to medics, nurses, residents and more we have been sharing their stories on social media with the hashtag #MyVaccineStoryNT.

We will keep building and adding to this record as more stories come in and more people share their experiences with us.

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