Coronavirus

The Government has recently announced the 2023 Covid-19 Spring Booster Vaccination Programme which kicks off on Monday 17th April 2023. The eligible patient population are:

• adults aged 75 years and over.
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green BooThe Dorset Vaccination Service continues to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone needing a first and second primary dose and seasonal boosters to those eligible. The spring booster campaign kicks off on Monday 17 April 2023 across the county with the National Booking Service (NBS) opening on the 3 April (campaign ending 30 June 2023). Please book via the National Booking Service – most sites are appointment only, for information regarding potential walk-in clinic opportunity in your area please visit find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.

Please note the phone number and email address of the patient helpline for this programme is as follows: dhc.covidplus@nhs.net / 07552 007714.

We are not undertaking covid booster vaccinations, so please do not contact the surgery regarding covid vaccination appointments as we do not have any influence over the allocation of appointments or vaccination centres.

If you are eligible and wish to book your vaccination, you will need to contact 119 to arrange this or click on the link below to access the National Booking Service.

National Booking Service Link

Your GP is currently not able to provide you with a COVID Vaccination Certificate or a Vaccination Passport. Your vaccine history should now be visible on the NHS App.  If you have a smartphone or tablet you can find details of all your vaccinations including COVID by registering on the NHS App using the link below. You will also have access to your medical history and be able to manage your prescriptions online.

“NHS App – NHS” https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/nhs-app/

Rapid Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) help to identify covid in people who do not have symptoms but are still infectious and can pass the virus on to other people. The testing kits are available to purchase from pharmacies and can also be ordered online using the following link:

You can no longer get free polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from the NHS.

Instead, you can buy PCR tests from shops and pharmacies, including online.

You might also be able to get free PCR tests if you’re eligible. Find out who can get a free NHS COVID-19 test and how to get one.

Find out more about coronavirus symptoms, testing and vaccination and how to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus.