COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

The national vaccination programme is now inviting everyone aged 16 years and over, to get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This Government website details where the vaccination rollout is currently in England.

From the start of the vaccination programme across the UK all vaccination services have been following Government guidance and JCVI priority groups starting with those most at-risk of severe covid disease:

1. All adult care home residents and staff
2. All those aged 80 years and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. All those aged 75 years and over
4. All those aged 70 years and over and clinically extremely vulnerable (shielding)
5. All those 65 years of age and over
6. All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality (clinically vulnerable)
7. All those 60 years of age and over
8. All those 55 years of age and over
9. All those 50 years of age and over

It is estimated that those in priority groups 1 – 9 represent around 99% of preventable deaths from Covid-19. The target to have invited all of these groups for their first vaccination dose by the end of April was met (Phase One of the Vaccination Programme) and we are now in Phase Two of the rollout.

Currently the vaccine is being offered to those under 50 years old in the following order through walk-in service provision or as on-line booking through the National Booking Service or by phoning 119 :

1. 40 to 49 years
2. 30 to 39 years
3. 18 years and over
4. 16 and 17 year olds

More information is available on the Government website

Anyone who is aged over 16 is now eligible for their COVID-19 vaccine. North Tyneside residents aged 18 and above (and those aged 17 who are within three months of their 18th birthday) can now book a COVID vaccine online via the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119. Sixteen Pharmacy-led sites are now delivering COVID vaccines in North Tyneside.

Anyone aged 16 or above can also attend the several pharmacy-led walk-in services that are operational in North Tyneside. Those aged 16 and 17 however must check that the site they wish to attend is able to vaccinate under 18s, please check this link which will be continuously updated.

If you had your first dose at your local GP practice and haven’t had your second dose you should be able to book a pharmacy-led or larger vaccination site for your second dose on the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119.

YOUR GP PRACTICE CANNOT HELP YOU BOOK OR CHANGE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ANY PHARMACY-LED SITE. YOU CAN ONLY DO THIS VIA THE NATIONAL BOOKING SERVICE ONLINE OR BY PHONING 119. 

More details about how to change or cancel appointments through the National Booking Service are available at the Healthwatch North Tyneside website.

The numbers needed to vaccinate per life saved go up as we move down the priority groups. These figures come from actuarial analysis of the pandemic so far, and are completely independent.

Getting our most vulnerable vaccinated as quickly as we could, while transmission rates were high, undoubtedly saved lives.

The data gathered from the vaccination programme so far supports this phased approach to the rollout, with rates of serious illness and hospitalisation being significantly reduced in those who have received their first dose of vaccine.

Public Health England (PHE) analysis indicates that the COVID-19 vaccination programme prevented 10,400 deaths in those aged 60 and older in England up to the end of March, an additional 4,300 since the previous update. More about this analysis can be found here.

The NHS is offering vaccinations to those at greatest risk from Covid-19 first, in line with recommendations from the Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations (JCVI).

The first groups offered vaccinations were adult care home residents and workers, frontline health and social care staff and people aged 70 and over, and those who are extremely clinically vulnerable (or shielding). GP led sites in North Tyneside led the vaccination of cohorts 1-9 (those aged 50 and over and who are clinically vulnerable as defined by the JCVI).

It is estimated that taken together, these groups represent around 99% of preventable deaths from COVID-19.

As of July 2021, everyone aged 18 and above will be eligible for their 2nd dose at the earlier 8 week interval, as opposed to the initial 12 week gap between doses. Currently, those aged 16 and 17 are being offered their 1st dose ahead of College and Sixth Form centres returning in September.

Vaccination of patient-facing health and social care workers has been co-ordinated through hospital hubs and employers, as well as the nationally run mass vaccination centres and local GP-led vaccination services.

Anyone who is an eligible front line worker who hasn’t yet had the vaccine should book one through the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119.

Our local GP-led services have been vaccinating housebound patients from the priority groups from the start of the year. This process began as soon as we had delivered the first dose of vaccine to all 31 residential and nursing homes for older adults in the borough.

GPs and community nursing teams will be in touch to arrange both your 1st and 2nd jab appointments, but please be aware that they will be vaccinating people in age and priority order (as per JCVI above)

No. Vaccinations will only be available through the NHS for the moment.

Anyone who claims to be able to provide you with a vaccine for a fee is likely to be committing a crime and should be reported to the Police 101 service and/or Local Trading Standards.

The vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups, and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn.

Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime.

The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and never ask for payment or for your bank details.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.

If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the Police online or by calling 101.

A total of four vaccines have been approved for use in the UK having been given regulatory approval by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA):

• Pfizer/BioNTech
• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Moderna
• Janssen

Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and both are being used across the UK. Moderna vaccine is also now being used in the vaccination rollout – including at the NHS Nightingale Large Vaccination Centre in Washington – but the supply of this vaccine is relatively restricted compared to the other two.

A fourth vaccine, Janssen, has also just been approved for use in the UK. We understand supply will arrive in the UK of this one-dose vaccine later in the year and will update further as we know more.

All of the vaccines currently being delivered in the UK have been shown to be safe and offer high levels of protection.

Any vaccines that the NHS provide will have been approved because they pass the MHRA’s tests on safety and efficacy.

When you book a vaccine on the National Booking Service you will only be offered appointments for vaccines that are recommended for you based on your age, any underlying health conditions, and whether you’re pregnant.

The MHRA and JCVI recommends that those aged 40 years old and under, with no underlying health problems, are offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. In the UK this would be the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. The JCVI has weighed the relative balance of benefits and risks and advise that the benefits of prompt vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the risk of adverse events for individuals 40 years of age and over and those who have underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

However JCVI currently advises that it is preferable for adults aged under 40 years, without underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, to be offered an alternative COVID-19 vaccine, if available. People may make an informed choice to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to receive earlier protection.

More information about this decision is available here.

There is currently no evidence that the new strains that are circulating in the UK – including Delta Variant – are resistant to the vaccines we have, so the vaccination programme has continued as normal.

Scientists are looking now in detail at the characteristics of the virus in relation to the vaccines. Viruses, such as the winter flu virus, often branch into different strains but these small variations rarely render vaccines ineffective.

We do know however that new variants – including the Delta Variant which was first identified in India – are often more transmissible. It is therefore even more important that people are vaccinated and continue to observe infection control advice.

In July 2021 – as part of steps to limit the transmission of Delta Variant – all over 18s are now eligible for their 2nd dose of the vaccine at a shorter 8 week interval. Anyone already booked at 12 weeks, are now able to bring their 2nd dose forward by cancelling and rebooking their appointments on the national booking service. For a guide on how to do this, click here.

It is likely however that booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that protect against any new strains will be used in the autumn going into winter (similar to the annual flu vaccine programme that looks at which flu strains are circulating and is adapted accordingly.) We will provide an update on this as and when we have more information.

Yes. The NHS would not offer any Covid-19 vaccinations to the public until independent experts have signed off that it was safe to do so. The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. The MHRA follows international standards of safety. Millions of people have been given a Covid-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects have been very rare.

JCVI statement on use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine – issued on 7th April 2021:

There have been reports of an extremely rare adverse event of concurrent thrombosis (blood clots) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) following vaccination with the first dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. There has been no signal for thrombosis/thrombocytopenia following receipt of other COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna).

Given the very low numbers of events reported overall, there is currently a high level of uncertainty in estimates of the incidence of this extremely rare adverse event by age group. However, the available data do suggest there may be a trend for increasing incidence of this adverse event with decreasing age, with a slightly higher incidence reported in the younger adult age groups.

In contrast, the risks of severe disease associated with COVID-19 increases steeply with age, with the youngest adults at lowest risk. There are currently no known risk factors for this extremely rare condition, which appears to be an idiosyncratic reaction on first exposure to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

To date, there are no reports of the extremely rare thrombosis/thrombocytopenia events following receipt of the second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. All those who have received a first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine should continue to be offered a second dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, irrespective of age. The second dose will be important for longer lasting protection against COVID-19.

JCVI advises that all individuals offered a COVID-19 vaccine should be fully informed about the benefits and risks of vaccination. This should include clear information on the extremely rare thrombosis/thrombocytopenia adverse event, how to monitor for symptoms that might be related to the adverse event, and what action should be taken by individuals and health professionals in the event of such symptoms arising.

This latest advice from the MHRA and JCVI with regards the safety of the Oxford/AstraZeneca is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-regulator-confirms-that-people-should-continue-to-receive-the-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca

There is no material of foetal or animal origin in either vaccine currently in use. All ingredients are published in the healthcare information on the MHRA’s website.

For the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine information is available here

For the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine information is available here

For the Moderna vaccine information is available here

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. Even if you do have symptoms after the first dose, you still need to have the second dose. Although you may get some protection from the first dose, having the full recommended course will give you the best protection against the virus.

You will always be given the opportunity to discuss any concerns about vaccination with a health professional across all our local vaccination sites in North Tyneside, and will be given written information to take away with you about the vaccine you have had and any potential side effects.

Very common side effects in the first day or two include: 

• having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection 
• feeling tired
• headache, aches and chills

You may also have flu like symptoms with episodes of shivering and shaking for a day or two.  You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. However, a high temperature could also indicate that you have COVID-19 or another infection so please self-isolate and seek a COVID-19 test (as per the advice on our main COVID-19 information page) and contact a health professional if you are concerned (see below.)

These very common side effects listed above normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111. If you do seek advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them the vaccination card) so that they can assess you properly. You can also report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online by searching Coronavirus Yellow Card or by downloading the Yellow Card app https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

Anyone who experienced cerebral or other major blood clots occurring with low levels of platelets after their first vaccine dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine should not have their second dose. Anyone who did not have these side effects should come forward for their second dose when invited.

The MHRA recently confirmed that the evidence to date does not suggest that the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca causes venous thromboembolism without a low platelet count. It is important to note that this type of blood clot together with lowered platelets can rarely occur naturally in unvaccinated people as well as in people with COVID-19 disease.

While the MHRA continues to investigate these cases, as a precautionary measure anyone that develops these symptoms below after vaccination is advised to seek prompt medical advice:

• shortness of breath, chest or persistent abdominal pain, leg swelling
• blurred vision, confusion or seizures
• unexplained pin-prick rash or bruising beyond the injection site

Furthermore anybody with new onset of severe or persistent headache that does not respond to simple painkillers starting four days or more after vaccination should speak to their doctor.

For more information about this latest advice from MHRA please click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-issues-new-advice-concluding-a-possible-link-between-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-and-extremely-rare-unlikely-to-occur-blood-clots#history

The MHRA have advised that getting vaccinated is just as important for those who have already had Covid-19.

It is advised that if you have had Covid-19 infection you need to wait four weeks before you can be vaccinated.

No, the COVID-19 vaccine will not protect you against the flu. We would advise anyone who hasn’t had a flu vaccine, who is eligible for one when flu season arrives, to get one.

People with history of a severe allergy to the ingredients of the vaccines, or who have had a Covid vaccine and suffered an allergic reaction, should not be vaccinated and should be referred to an allergy specialist.

People who have ever had a severe allergy (anaphylaxis) where the cause was not identified should not receive the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, but might be able to have the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine after discussion with an allergy specialist.

7th April 2021: MHRA issues new advice, concluding a possible link between Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and extremely rare, unlikely to occur blood clots.

The benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh any risks but the MHRA advises careful consideration be given to people who are at higher risk of specific types of blood clots because of their medical condition. As a precaution, administration of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca in people of any age who are at higher risk of blood clots because of their medical condition should be considered only if benefits from the protection from COVID-19 infection outweighs potential risks.

Anyone who experienced cerebral or other major blood clots occurring with low levels of platelets after their first vaccine dose of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should not have their second dose. Anyone who did not have these side effects should come forward for their second dose when invited.

Pregnant women should discuss with their healthcare professional whether the benefits of having the vaccine outweigh the risks for them. The latest JCVI advice issued regarding vaccination of pregnant women recommend that Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines are used in pregnant women rather than Oxford/AstraZeneca. More information about this can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-new-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-for-pregnant-women

The MHRA recently confirmed that the evidence to date does not suggest that the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca causes venous thromboembolism without a low platelet count. It is important to note that this type of blood clot together with lowered platelets can rarely occur naturally in unvaccinated people as well as in people with COVID-19 disease.

While the MHRA continues to investigate these cases, as a precautionary measure anyone that develops these symptoms below after vaccination is advised to seek prompt medical advice:

• shortness of breath, chest or persistent abdominal pain, leg swelling
• blurred vision, confusion or seizures
• unexplained pin-prick rash or bruising beyond the injection site

Furthermore anybody with new onset of severe or persistent headache that does not respond to simple painkillers starting four days or more after vaccination should speak to their doctor.

For more information about this latest advice from MHRA please click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-issues-new-advice-concluding-a-possible-link-between-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-and-extremely-rare-unlikely-to-occur-blood-clots#history

As of the 17th April 2021 the JCVI has advised that pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group. There have been no specific safety concerns identified with any brand of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in relation to pregnancy.

Real-world data from the United States shows that around 90,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated, mainly with mRNA vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, without any safety concerns being raised.

Based on this data, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that it’s preferable for pregnant women in the UK to be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines where available. There is no evidence to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, but more research is needed.

Women who are planning pregnancy, are in the immediate postpartum, or are breastfeeding can be vaccinated with any vaccine, depending on their age and clinical risk group.

A pilot scheme is underway in North Tyneside to encourage pregnant women and breastfeeding mums to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Selected vaccination clinics at the Silverlink will now have midwives on hand to offer support and reassurance as well as answer questions you may have. Details can be found here.

The advice, published in Public Health England’s Green Book, a clinical professional guide for vaccinators in the UK, still advises that pregnant women should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with their clinician, including the latest evidence on safety and which vaccines they should receive.

The JCVI will continue to closely monitor the evidence on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and will update its advice as required.

More information about this is available here.

Anyone who is aged over 16 is now eligible for their COVID-19 vaccine. North Tyneside residents aged 18 and above (and those aged 17 who are within three months of their 18th birthday) can now book a COVID vaccine online via the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119. Sixteen Pharmacy-led sites are now delivering COVID vaccines in North Tyneside.

Anyone aged 16 or above can also attend the several pharmacy-led walk-in services that are operational in North Tyneside. Those aged 16 and 17 however must check that the site they wish to attend is able to vaccinate under 18s, please check this link which will be continuously updated.

If you had your first dose at your local GP practice and haven’t had your second dose you should be able to book a pharmacy-led or larger vaccination site for your second dose on the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119.

YOUR GP PRACTICE CANNOT HELP YOU BOOK OR CHANGE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ANY PHARMACY-LED SITE. YOU CAN ONLY DO THIS VIA THE NATIONAL BOOKING SERVICE ONLINE OR BY PHONING 119. 

More details about how to change or cancel appointments through the National Booking Service are available at the Healthwatch North Tyneside website.

The NHS is utilising a variety of contact methods to reach as many individuals as possible. During the earlier stages of the vaccination programme, GPs were inviting some people via text message to their local GP-led vaccination site whilst the national NHS system were sending letters allowing individuals to book into larger vaccine centres or pharmacy-led vaccination sites.

Anyone who is aged over 16 is now eligible for their COVID-19 vaccine. North Tyneside residents aged 18 and above (and those aged 17 who are within three months of their 18th birthday) can now book a COVID vaccine online via the National Booking Service, or by phoning 119.

Anyone aged 16 or above can also attend the several pharmacy-led walk-in services that are operational in North Tyneside. Those aged 16 and 17 however must check that the site they wish to attend is able to vaccinate under 18s, please check this link which will be continuously updated.

COVID-19 vaccinations have been delivered by a number of providers from GP-led sites, pharmacy-led venues and larger vaccination centres.

The NHS have opened a number of large-scale vaccination centres and pharmacy hubs across the region such as The Centre for Life in Newcastle, Sunderland’s NHS Nightingale Hospital in Washington and the Arnison Centre Retail Park in Durham. Other larger vaccination sites in the North East are in Hexham, Darlington and Middlesbrough. 

The vaccination programme in North Tyneside is now being led by sixteen Pharmacy-led venues and these sites are bookable on the National Booking System or by calling 119. Several of these sites also offer walk in vaccine clinics, where pre-booking appointments is not required. Details can be found here. 

To cancel or rebook an appointment you made on the National Booking System, you will need:

People currently unwell and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should not receive the vaccine until they have recovered.

The guidance says this should be at least four weeks after the start of symptoms or from the date of a positive Covid-19 test.

If you need to cancel an already booking appointment, see the question above.

You should continue to follow self isolation rules and stay at home if you or a member of your household has symptoms or have returned a positive test result.

We are working locally with our community partners VODA and their Digital Health Champions team to offer advice and guidance to help residents navigate the range of digital options to access their GP as well as booking a vaccine appointment on-line.

The National Booking Service is also available by phoning 119, for those needing an alternative to the online system.

In addition to this, there are a number of walk-in vaccination services for people who live or work in North Tyneside where no appointment is necessary.

These walk in clinics are regularly posted on our TyneHealth social media pages and on the North Tyneside Council website.

Plans for COVID-19 booster vaccinations are still be worked out nationally by central government and NHS England, the MHRA has published this guidance most recently. We will provide further updates on this as and when we have more information.

The JCVI’s interim advice is that any potential COVID-19 booster programme should be offered in 2 stages from September, starting with those most at risk from serious disease. This includes care home residents, people aged over 70, frontline health and social care workers, clinically extremely vulnerable adults and those who are immunosuppressed.

More information is available on the government website.

No firm date for the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme has been given yet. Plans for this are still be worked out nationally by central government and NHS England. We will provide an update on this as and when we have more information.

The JCVI’s interim advice is that any potential COVID-19 booster programme should be offered in 2 stages from September, starting with those most at risk from serious disease. This includes care home residents, people aged over 70, frontline health and social care workers, clinically extremely vulnerable adults and those who are immunosuppressed.

More information is available on the government website.

The four Primary Care Networks (PCNs) locally – who led Phase 1 of the vaccination rollout in North Tyneside –  are working with partners across healthcare on plans regarding the delivery of COVID-19 booster vaccinations this autumn.

The details of how this will be delivered are still be worked out nationally by central government and NHS England. We will provide an update on this as and when we have more information.

More information on the JCVI interim advice on any potential COVID-19 booster vaccination programme is available on the government website. The latest statement from the MHRA can be found here.

Latest vaccine information will continue to be available and updated on our TyneHealth COVID-19 Information Hub and on our partner websites such as Healthwatch North Tyneside, North Tyneside Council, VODA and the North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (NTCCG) as soon as it becomes available to us.

More information is also available on the NHS website.