COVID-19 Vaccinations

The practice is, along with its Primary Care Network partner practices, now offering COVID vaccinations to patients. There will be home visits for housebound patients.

AVICENNA MEDICAL CENTRE, in Oxley Shaw Lane, Leybourne will be the COVID hub for all of the Practices in our area (West Malling, Thornhills, Snodland, Wateringbury and Phoenix (Burham).

We are inviting patients based on the national priority list.  Please be patient and wait to be contacted about when the vaccine is available to you. You do not need to contact the surgery until you receive a letter, text or phone call about getting the Covid-19 vaccines. Phone lines are very busy, and we would appreciate your support to keep phone lines open for people needing to make appointments for other health matters.

Information regarding your appointment for COVID 19 vaccination - Only for patients with booked appointments.  If you attend without an appointment you will be turned away

The address:  Avicenna Medical Centre, Oxley Shaw Road, Leybourne, ME195PU

 

Arrival

Please arrive in time for your appointment but do not come on site until 5 minutes before the time given. 

  • If possible, please arrange to be driven to your appointment and picked up. 
  • Parking is available opposite the shops in Little Market Row
  • Arrive at the medical centre alone unless you are dependent on a carer to safely and quickly enter and leave the site
 

Preperation Before You Leave

  • Information: Please ensure that you have read all the information provided and are content to go ahead. We are keen to vaccinate as many people as we can safely and there may be limited opportunity to ask on the day.
  • Exclusions: You will not be vaccinated during the current batches if you have had COVID symptoms in the past few days, been told to self-isolate by NHS Track and Trace, had a flu jab in the 7 days up to your appointment or have a history of severe unexplained allergic reactions and been asked to carry an adrenaline pen. 
  • Toilet facilities:  Please use your toilet before you leave. (We are taking all necessary infection control precautions such as social distancing, use of face coverings, one-way transit though the building) 
  • Clothing: Please wear such clothing that you can easily expose the shoulder and upper arm of the site you wish to have the injection on e.g., short sleeves under a warm cardigan and coat. Please wear a face-covering.
  • Time: Please be aware that there will be a 15-minute observation period after the injection. If you take blood-thinning medication you are also advised to apply pressure to the vaccination site for several minutes afterwards to reduce bruising.
  • Cancellation: If you can’t make your appointment please cancel at the earliest opportunities so we can offer this valuable treatment to someone else.  
  • Please do not come if you have COVID symptoms such as fever, new continuous cough or new loss of smell or taste. No-one with these symptoms can be allowed on site
 

Commonly Asked Questions

Will the vaccine have side effects?

  • Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them.
  • If you have mild symptoms after the first dose, you should still have the second dose. Please report any more marked symptoms to your doctor.
  • Although you may get some protection from the first dose, having the second dose will give you the best protection against the virus.
  • Very common side effects include:
    • Having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1-2 days after the vaccine
    • Tiredness
    • Headache
    • General aches, or mild flu like symptoms
    • About Fever… Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection. You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help you feel better. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111.

I have had the flu vaccine; do I need the COVID-19 vaccine as well?

  • The flu vaccine does not protect you from COVID-19
  • If you are eligible for both vaccines, you should have both of them and normally separated by at least 7 days.

Can I catch COVID-19 from the vaccine?

  • No this is not possible

Can I transmit or pass on the COVID-19 infection to anyone after I had the vaccine?

  • The vaccine will not give you COVID-19 infection
  • We do not know yet if the vaccine will stop you carrying the virus and passing it on.
  • What we do know is that if you did catch the virus, the vaccine will protect you and significantly lower the chance of you becoming unwell with it.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain animal products or gluten?

  • The vaccine is Animal free, Gluten free, Potassium free and Sodium free

Why is the vaccine not available from our own surgery?

  • Across the country GPs are working in groups of practices to provide the Covid-19 vaccine. We understand the people would like to get the vaccine from their own practice but unfortunately this is not possible at this time. If this changes we will update this information.

Should I come for a vaccine if I have symptoms of Covid-19?

  • No. If you or someone in your immediate household has symptoms of the virus it is essential that you self-isolate and book a test. Your vaccine can be re-arranged after your self-isolation.

If I’ve had Covid-19 do I need the vaccines?

  • Yes, getting vaccinated is just as important for those who have already had Covid-19 as it is for those who haven’t.

How soon after having Covid-19 can I have the vaccine?

  • It is recommended that people wait 4 weeks after recovering from Covid-19 or from being tested positive but not experiencing symptoms. We will rearrange invitations if you are in this situation when first invited to have the vaccine.

When will the second dose be given?

  • From 30 December the national guidance changed and second doses will now be scheduled for 10-12 weeks after the first dose.

Can I pay for the vaccines privately?

  • No, all Covid-19 vaccines are being provided free by the NHS. If you see any offers to get the vaccine privately it will be a scam and you must not contact them.

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