Oldham's Covid-19 vaccination programme is under way
Date published: 16 December 2020
Alan Thomas is vaccinated. Picture courtesy of the Oldham Council Twitter page
The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine began in Oldham yesterday (Tuesday).
Local man Alan Thomas was the first person over 80 in the borough to have the vaccination, with Dr Hunjan administering his vaccine.
Over the coming weeks and months residents of all ages will be offered the vaccine, which is part of the biggest mass vaccination programme in the history of the NHS.
The first to be offered the vaccination will be those residents aged 80 and above.
You will be called when it is your turn for the vaccine.
To ease pressure on the NHS at this busy time, and to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible, residents are advised not to call the NHS and council as you’ll be contacted when it is your turn.
This is how the appointment system will work:
If you a registered with a GP in Oldham, you will be called by a staff member from a number starting 0161 770.
If you live in Oldham but are registered with a practice outside the borough you will be contacted by representatives from that local authority area.
The caller will identify themselves and say they are calling on behalf of your GP and they are getting in touch about booking an appointment for a Coronavirus vaccine.
The caller will then offer dates and times for you to attend clinic.
They will also give the location of the site where you will receive it.
This may not be your usual surgery.
If you are receiving the Pfizer vaccination, you will also be given the time, date and location for the second dose of the vaccination.
It is vital you return and keep your second appointment 21 days later.
The callers booking vaccinations will not ask for any other personal details other than asking you to confirm your name.
They certainly will not ask for any money.
Officers have already been alerted to possible phone scams with callers asking for payment for access to vaccinations.
Once you have received the vaccination you must not drive for 15 minutes afterwards.
You will need to remain in clinic until that time has elapsed.
It is important that you attend your vaccination appointment.
But if for any reason you can’t, let staff know as soon as possible so your slot can be offered to another resident.
Call the cancellation line on 0161 770 7100.
Please share this information with people you know, especially the elderly and vulnerable.
The vaccine is safe and has gone through many months of testing before reaching this stage.
For more information on the Coronavirus vaccine, visit the NHS website here
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