As you will know, the Covid vaccination programme is well underway at our new vaccination site, Portchester Community Centre.  A number of our patients have already been able to receive their first vaccinations, and a proportion of those in the highest risk categories have now received their second vaccine too!  

We are currently working through the patient groups, as directed by NHS England.  We will be in touch with you when it is your turn. We know that many of you are keen to be vaccinated as soon as possible, but we must ask everyone to be patient – we are not holding reserve stocks of the vaccine and so cannot simply add in extra appointments. Calling or messaging the practice will not get you an appointment more quickly, but it will take our staff away from their other work.   Our staff have been proud to be part of a huge local effort to protect so many people, so quickly. 

Please note that both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines have been approved by MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatry Agency) for vaccination.  The MHRA states that "the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID-19, with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death, far outweigh the risks of side effects. People should go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so"

The government has said that the vaccination process will be a marathon, not a sprint. It will take time to protect everybody, but we will be in touch with you all as soon as we possibly can. And while you wait for that invitation please remember to do the basics, to keep yourselves safe – wash your hands, cover your face, and give other people space. 

Very best wishes, 

Westlands Medical Centre