COVID-19 Vaccination Update – Issues and ongoing vaccinations

Posted on March 22nd, 2022

Vaccination Errors/Missing Records

The Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS) aims to resolve missing or incorrect vaccination records for people vaccinated against COVID-19 in England who have a current NHS number and are registered with a GP practice in England. This can be accessed by calling 119 and asking to be referred to the Vaccine Data Resolution Service.

COVID Certificates/COVID Pass Letters/Recovery Letters

Anybody needing to demonstrate your COVID 19 status, will need to get a NHS COVID Pass letter. This is not a document the surgery can provide. Please call 119 and option 3 or click here to apply online.

Please be advised that the surgery does not provide recovery letters for travel, if you do not have your email proving your positive result from a PCR test we can provide a printout from your records detailing this for you providing it is visible in your records.

Some private GP’s/private practices do offer this chargeable service, please do not contact the surgery to request a certificate as we will be unable to assist you.

Vaccinations Given Abroad

Unfortunately, this will not help those who were vaccinated abroad whose records do not yet appear on the NHS app. GP practices are assured that a process is being worked on to enable vaccines administered abroad to appear in NHS records as proof of vaccination. In the meantime, please click this link to update the NHS about your vaccines https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/tell-nhs-about-coronavirus-vaccinations-abroad/

How to get a digital NHS COVID Pass 

There are two ways you can get a digital NHS COVID Pass:

You can:

• download and use the NHS app to get your NHS COVID Pass if you’re aged 13 or over – click here
• use the online NHS COVID Pass Service if you’re aged 12 or over – click here

The NHS COVID Pass Service will issue a letter, click here and complete the required details. The Pass should arrive in 5 working days. The Practice will only be able to provide a printout of the recorded vaccination from the record (if available in the record), this will not constitute a ‘Pass’.  If parents have linked profiles with children using the NHS app, this will not provide a Pass for them at the present time.

The link above will also work for patients that are not able to use the NHS app, or you can call 119.

For any other vaccine queries, please call 119, please do not call the Practice.

Spring Boosters 

We are partnering with our PCN Practices in Stevenage South PCN to deliver Booster Vaccinations to those aged over 75, immunocompromised and our Care Home residents. You will receive a text message invite when your vaccine is due to invite you and you will be able to book directly via the link.  You can view an update on the programme here .  Boosters will be given 6 months after your last vaccination dose.

You can find details of walk-in availability in the local area for Boosters here .

3rd Doses – for those considered immunocompromised

All adults are advised to have two doses of a Covid-19 vaccination, plus a Booster dose. Those considered to have a lower immune system response to vaccination are advised to have three doses, plus a Booster.  This is called a ‘3rd dose’.  If you have been advised to have a 3rd primary Covid-19 vaccination dose, you can have this at any Vaccination site or you can contact us and we can arrange a 3rd dose at our Local Vaccination Site (Shephall Health Centre).  You will then need a 4th dose (which is your Booster) 3 months after this. If you have already had a booster, don’t worry – the dosing is the same, you just need to have a further booster 3 months after that.  Please contact us near to the time your Booster is due, or you may be able to book online or visit a walk-in service. As above, certain people will be invited for a further Booster this spring, and this will be 6 months from the last dose.

Please bear in mind that changes to timeframes between doses and age cohorts announced in the media often take time to become operational, this can mean queues at walk-in provisions.