Behind the scenes, we have been working hard to find the best way to ensure that we can deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to our patients while ensuring that we still can look after all other health needs over winter. This has not been an easy task so we thank you all for your patience.
However, we are now delighted to announce that the Haddenham Medical Centre will be delivering the COVID-19 vaccine in the next few weeks. We will be working with our colleagues from GP practices across the Aylesbury Vale to provide this initially at a mass vaccination centre in Aylesbury.
You may have seen in the media that the logistics for storing, transporting and delivering the vaccine are complex. This is why it has taken a little time to set this up. We expect to be vaccinating patients at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium (the Guttman) in Aylesbury from the week commencing 11th January 2021, subject to confirmation.
As you might expect, there is a strict policy determining who will be offered the vaccine first. This is devised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and not by us. This policy is designed to ensure that people receive the vaccine quickly but fairly, according to their risks of harm from the virus.
Patients aged over 80 years, care home residents and staff, and front line health and social care workers are in the first groups. Please help us by keeping our phone lines free by not contacting the surgery either by phone or email to request further information. We will contact you once you become eligible. In this way, we can help everyone to receive the vaccine more quickly.
The practice will be open as usual over the Christmas period, except for the bank holidays on 25th and 28th December and 1st January. Please ring 111 to contact the out of hours GP service if you require urgent assistance over the holiday period.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and hopefully, we can all look forward to a better 2021.
From all at the Haddenham Medical Centre
