A coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech has been approved for use in the UK.

We understand that many patients will want to know more, when you will be vaccinated and what it means for you. It is important to know we will contact you when it is your turn to have the vaccination so please don’t call us. Our lines can be very busy and we want to keep free for patients who need urgent help.

We will continue to update our website as and when more information becomes available.

Who can have the vaccine?

In line with current advice the vaccine will be offered first to the following groups who are more at risk from coronavirus:

  • People who live in care homes and care home workers.
  • People aged 80 and over.
  • Health and Social care workers in England.

For more information about who will be vaccinated and in which order please visit the gov.uk website.

If you are of childbearing age, currently pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, please read the advice available on the gov.uk website.

Where can you get the vaccine?

To start with the vaccine will only be available in hospital “hubs” but will be rolled out to many locations. This includes local services provided by GPs and pharmacists and new dedicated vaccination centres to make sure that everyone who needs vaccine is able to get one.

What you can do to help?

We will share further information with you as it becomes available. In the meantime there are three things people can do to help:

  • Please don’t contact us as we will contact you when it is your turn to have the vaccine.
  • Please act on your invite when it comes and ensure you attend the appointment when you make one.
  • Please continue to abide by all social distancing and hand hygiene guidance, which will still save lives.

Does the vaccine contain porcine?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine does not contact any components of animal origin. You can read information from the Islamic Portal on their website.

Further information

The NHS website also has further information about the vaccine, including information about vaccine safety.