COVID-19 vaccinations

For general information about Covid-19, including advice for parents and carers, testing and self-isolation, please visit our coronavirus page.

GPs and community NHS teams across west Hertfordshire are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus.

Over half a million adults in Hertfordshire and west Essex have already had a COVID-19 vaccination as part of the biggest immunisation programme in NHS history.

The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). All frontline health and social care workers, care home residents and staff, the elderly and the ‘clinically vulnerable’ have been first in line for the vaccine. It is then being offered to the rest of the population in age group order.

Vaccine supply during April

There will be a significant reduction in the weekly supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the week beginning 29 March for an expected four-week period that will impact first doses during April for those without an existing booking.

Between now and 29 March, GP-led, pharmacy-led and large vaccination sites will all continue to vaccinate those in the top priority cohorts. Everyone aged 50 and over, eligible carers and those in vulnerable groups who have not yet had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, should now book a vaccination either online, through the National Booking System, or by calling 119. People should take up this offer as soon as possible and start to get the protection they need against COVID-19 before 29 March. Anyone who doesn’t take up this offer now may not be able to attend their first dose appointment until May.

Whilst vaccine supplies will not be at the increased level we had initially been hoping for during April, we will still be receiving considerable volumes of vaccine. This means that second dose appointments that are due will all still go ahead – for both the Pfizer or the AstraZeneca vaccine - as will any first dose vaccinations that have already been booked to take place between 29 March and the end of April.

If you booked your first appointment at a pharmacy or large vaccination centre through the national booking system website or by calling 119, you should already have a second dose appointment, which you should attend as planned.
If you had your first vaccination at a GP-led vaccination centre, you will be contacted by your GP practice and given a date for your second appointment. Please do not contact your GP – they will be in touch.

Please note that between 29 March and the end of April, new first dose vaccination appointments (without an existing booking) will only be made in exceptional circumstances.

More information about the vaccine roll-out and answers to frequently asked questions

Please be aware that scam text and email messages have been circulating. If you receive a text message from a vaccination centre asking you to make a payment to book a vaccination, please do not share your information and delete the text message. The NHS does not ask for payment for services and the COVID-19 vaccination programme that is being rolled out is free to patients.

Easy read information

Easy read guide to your Covid-19 vaccination

What are my options for getting a Covid-19 vaccination?

There are two types of vaccination sites in west Hertfordshire

Local GP-run vaccination services – these are provided in vaccination clinics in some GP surgeries health centres or other community locations.
Vaccination centres – bigger venues such as including and also some larger pharmacies that are bookable through the national booking system.

Local GP-run vaccination services

Local vaccination services are provided in the following 10 locations in west Hertfordshire:

Watford and Three Rivers

Bridgewater House Surgery, Watford
Sheepcot Medical Centre, Watford
Manor View Surgery, Watford
Attenborough Surgery, Watford
Central Watford Health Centre
Colne Practice, Rickmansworth

St Albans and Harpenden

Batchwood Hall, St Albans
Harpenden Public Halls

Hertsmere

Allum Hall, Elstree

Dacorum

Maxted Road, Hemel Hempstead

Appointments at these sites must be booked through your GP practice. Your practice will offer you an appointment at the centre that they are linked to. These locations do not appear as options on the national booking service.

Local vaccination services and are well placed to support our highest risk patients, many of whom already have a trusted relationship with their local GP. This includes people who are very elderly, people who are clinically vulnerable to Covid-19 due to underlying health conditions and their carers.

These GP-run services also coordinate and deliver vaccination to people who are unable to attend a vaccination site, including visiting care homes and patients who are housebound.

Vaccination centres

These are bigger community venues and larger pharmacies that can vaccinate large numbers of people. When it is your turn to be vaccinated you can book an appointment at a location and time that suits you using the National Booking Service. The NHS might contact you to book when it’s your turn but you can book without an invitation if you are in one of the eligible groups. You can book online here.

If you are contacted by the national booking service but would rather use the local GP-led vaccination service you can wait to hear from your GP.

You can find the list of vaccination centres on NHS England’s website.

Important things to remember

Please don’t contact your GP or the NHS to seek a vaccine. You will be contacted to come forward or make an appointment when it is the right time.
When you are contacted, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to. Do not turn up too early to avoid queues outside.
Please wear a face covering to your appointment, unless you are exempt, and bring any identification documents with you that have been requested.
Please do not turn up at vaccination sites without an appointment.
Whether you have had your vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, including keeping a safe distance apart from other people, wearing a face covering (unless you are exempt) and hand hygiene.

Further information

More information about the vaccination programme is on the Herts and West Essex Healthier Future website. This includes

Answers to frequently asked questions
Patient information leaflets
How you can help with the vaccination programme