Covid Vaccinations

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Covid Booster Vaccination Programme

Due to the continuing unprecedented pressure on Primary Care, the Mid-Dorset practices, who worked together to deliver our COVID vaccination programme at the Atrium Health Centre in Dorchester, are unable to offer the booster programme without seriously affecting our ability to deliver the normal healthcare services to all our patients.

You will receive communication from NHS England via text message, email, or letter. Please follow the link in the email or text to book an appointment at a local pharmacy site or mass vaccination centre. If you receive a letter or are unable to access the internet or use the links provided by NHS England, please phone 119 to book an appointment. The surgery will be unable to book a COVID booster vaccination appointment for you.

Those who are housebound will receive further communication about their booster. We would ask you refrain from contacting the surgery at this time to enquire about booster doses.

(Please note, we are able to provide the usual flu vaccination service so please book your appointment via our reception team if you are eligible).

There are several ways to get your booster jab: 

  • The best way to get your vaccination at a time and place that suits you is to book ahead.
  • You can either wait for your GP practice to contact you or book via the national booking service (NBS) to get your booster at a larger centre or pharmacy
  • Local GP-led vaccine services are offering the vaccine to the most vulnerable, so that they are invited to get their booster first.
  • Two vaccination centres are now running in Dorset – Vespasian House, Dorchester and King’s Park Hospital, Bournemouth. They have appointment slots for both children and adults.
  • Both centres are very busy and walk-in availability is very limited – please make an appointment using the National Booking System.
  • You can also get your vaccination at many pharmacies. There are now more than 30 sites in Dorset offering vaccinations. Find out where they are on the CCG website.

It’s busy – keep trying, be patient and be kind

  • There continues to be very high demand for boosters as the number of eligible people increases.
  • Although some people have had difficulties booking their booster appointments, NHS staff are working extremely hard to support local communities and increase availability so please be patient. Please show them the respect and kindness they deserve. You will still have good levels of immunity if you receive the booster a little later.
  • Vaccination centres are very busy. If a local venue isn’t showing on the system, it may be full – please check again later as appointments are being added all the time.
 

Guidance For Patients Given Covid Vaccinations Overseas

The Government has provided information about how you can get your Covid vaccinations added to the NHS Covid Pass App if they were given overseas.

Click here to read the guidance and how to book an appointment to register your overseas vaccinations.

You can use this service if you’ve had one or more of the following vaccines:

  • Moderna
  • AstraZeneca
  • Pfizer
  • Janssen
 

Things are tough right now - please be kind.

The NHS is under real pressure at the moment, including primary care.

We're doing all we can to provide a safe and helpful service to you, but we are facing an unprecedented number of cases while trying to deal with the ongoing pandemic and its effect on our staff and patients.

Please bear with us while we work through this difficult period.

We're your primary care, and we're here for you. Please be here for us too.

Published: Dec 10, 2021