COVID Vaccination
The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It offers individual protection as well as greater protection for our loved ones and communities. In time it could mean that restrictions are eased and we can move further towards a return to more normal day-to-day life.
Please note that practices within the Central Vale Cluster, including Highlight Park Medical Practice, will NOT be delivering any part of the COVID booster vaccination programme. The COVID booster programme is being planned and organised by the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board are currently delivering the COVID-19 booster vaccination to all those eligible. This currently includes an initial 2 doses, followed by a third booster dose, and for those eligible a 4th booster vaccine.
The local health board is currently working through the programme for Spring Boosters and if you are eligible you will be contacted directly with an appointment, either in writing or by telephone. We therefore advise at this stage that you please wait to be contacted.
For more information on the Booster Programme please visit: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/cavuhb-covid-19-mass-vaccination-programme/ or see https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-programme-vaccine-update-22-march-2022
REMINDER: DO NOT CALL THE SURGERY AS WE WILL BE UNABLE TO HELP WITH YOUR ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE BOOSTER PROGRAMME.
Vaccination Update on 5-11 year olds
The local health board are now offering vaccine appointments to children aged 5-11 years old. Appointments will be sent by letter to the child’s address. Parents / Carers are also able to contact our booking line on 02921 841234 to book an appointment. We are currently unable to offer walk in appointments to this age group.
Further guidance for parents can be found here.
COVID Vaccination Walk-In Service
If you have not received your first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you can attend a walk-in session between 8:30am to 7:30pm daily to get vaccinated at a number of locations. Please note: 12-15 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For further information and to read the full update visit our Programme Information page by clicking here.
COVID-19 Vaccination Forms
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board have now created an online form, which is available for patients to register their details if they have not yet had the vaccination or missed a dose. There is currently a 'Leave Nobody Behind' Form where you can register your details if you feel you have been missed.
More information and the available forms can be found at:
https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/cavuhb-covid-19-mass-vaccination-programme/covid-19-forms/?fbclid=IwAR2_cfM5jxqPTwBam9cdVKBOMcedsxcxXtXCi9KxL8aP-oNe5p5diJ6O01E
How do vaccinations work?
Most vaccines work by triggering an immune response from a weakened or inactive germ that causes the disease. The Covid vaccine works by giving our body a set of instructions to make a harmless “spike protein” which will create the antibodies and cells required to fight off coronavirus.
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The NHS had initially offered the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus. This has since been offered to all individuals, regardless of their risk, aged 18 and over.
Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years who are not at greater risk of serious illness from COVID infection should be offered their first and second dose of Pfizer vaccine 12 weeks apart. Children and young people aged 5-17 with certain health conditions are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 and are recommended 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine 8 weeks apart
It has now been successfully given to:
- patients aged 60 and over
- people who live or work in care homes
- health and social care workers at high risk
- people at moderately increased risk due to chronic health conditions
- all adults aged 18 and over
- all children aged 12 - 18
You will need to be registered with a GP surgery in Wales to receive the vaccination. You can register with one if you do not have one.
How the COVID-19 vaccine is given
The COVID-19 vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle of your upper arm.
It's given as 2 doses. You will have the 2nd dose 3-12 weeks after having the 1st dose.
How safe is the COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccines approved for use in the UK have been developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca.
They 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.
Other vaccines are being developed. They will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.
So far, thousands of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term complications have been reported.
Read about the approved Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 by MHRA on GOV.UK
Read about the approved Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 by MHRA on GOV.UK
How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine?
The 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus. But you need to have the 2 doses of the vaccine to give you longer lasting protection.
There is a chance you might still get or spread coronavirus even if you have the vaccine.
This means it is important to:
- continue to follow social distancing guidance
- if you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it's hard to stay away from other people