Latest information
The latest information on vaccination locations and sites and questions and answers about the programme can be found on the NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group website
What is happening now
The NHS is currently offering the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccine to all eligible people as defined by the Joint Committee on vaccinations and immunisations.
The vaccination is available from a number of locations in the county, to enable easier access for as many people as possible. Locations include large county sites, community sites, hospital hubs, some GP surgeries and using teams of mobile vaccinators for those who cannot leave their homes.
Council staff are joining the NHS to phone Somerset residents to let them know when it is their turn to be immunised.
Please be aware that the vaccine is free to those eligible and that we would never ask you for payment or for you to give your card details to us.
The vaccine is designed to prevent serious illness and death from Covid-19. Even if you’ve had the vaccine, please remember that you can still catch it and might still be able to pass it on, so the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance must still be followed to protect yourselves and others.
Please do not contact us or visit any of our sites to ask about your vaccine, someone will contact you.
When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments.
How you can support the NHS
You have an important part to play to help the NHS’s largest vaccination programme in history:
- please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, the NHS will contact you;
- when the NHS do contact you, please attend your booked appointments;
- and please continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives such as ‘hands, face, space’
You’ll need to be registered with a GP surgery in England (to get a vaccine).
Help with getting to vaccination appointments
If you have not yet had your vaccination, it might be worth preparing in advance how you will get there. If you are not able to drive yourself, but you have a family member or friend who might be able to support you – it’s always worth having that conversation now.
While many older and more vulnerable people will be able to attend a location close to their home, some will be relying on public transport.
We are working with bus operators and community transport providers to help vulnerable residents to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
- Current concessionary bus pass rules have been suspended so that bus passes can be used on all public services before 9.30am. This came into effect from February 1.
- We are working with Community Transport and Slinky Demand Responsive Services across Somerset to allow free travel for bus pass holders when attending vaccination appointments. You can find information and contact details for Community Transport Services on Travel Somerset
If you are concerned about getting to an appointment, or need other help or support during the pandemic, please phone the Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275. Lines are open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.
More information
NHS
Coronavirus vaccination – Book your COVID-19 vaccination, read about the vaccine and find out about getting your vaccination status for travelling abroad.
After vaccination information – This short NHS Public Health England video explains that although the vaccines show extremely good protection, no vaccine is 100% effective and that it is possible to still get COVID-19 infection or pass it on despite having two doses of vaccine. It is still not yet known whether the vaccine can stop the transmission of the virus to others.
GOV.UK
COVID-19 vaccination: booking an appointment letter – NHS letter inviting eligible adults to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
NHS COVID Pass – How to get the NHS COVID Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England.
What your NHS COVID Pass letter tells you (easy read) – Easy-read version of the non-personal information in your NHS COVID Pass letter about your COVID-19 status.
If you cannot get an NHS COVID Pass letter (easy read) – Easy read version of the non-personal information sent to you if you cannot get an NHS COVID Pass letter about your COVID-19 status.
COVID-19 vaccination programme – Documents relating to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme.
COVID-19 vaccination: guide for adults – Information for eligible adults on COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination: for people with a weakened immune system – Information on the third dose for people with a weakened immune system.
COVID-19 vaccination: guide for employers – Information for employers about the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
COVID-19 vaccination: guide for healthcare workers
COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for social care staff
COVID-19 vaccination: what to expect after vaccination – Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people – Information for eligible children and young people on COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination: worried about having your second dose of AstraZeneca? – Leaflet for people eligible for COVID-19 vaccination who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine and have concerns about having the second dose.
COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting – Information on the benefits and risks of the COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 vaccination: easy-read leaflets – Easy-read guides providing information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination: British Sign Language resources – British Sign Language (BSL) videos on COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 Vaccination Fraud – Please be aware, criminals are using the COVID-19 vaccine as a way to target the public by tricking them to hand over cash or financial details.
Other information
Coronavirus vaccines explained
If you need Coronavirus help or support, contact Somerset’s Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275
Latest local vaccination news
You can find the latest local vaccination news on the following pages:
- COVID-19 Vaccinations in Somerset – NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group
- Somerset County Council Newsroom
- Somerset County Council latest Coronavirus updates
Vaccination information in other languages
NHS England – Vaccination information in other languages
Public Health England – Translations
Diversity Voice has lots of translated COVID-19 resources available.
COVID-19 vaccination status: what your pass letter tells you – Translated versions of the non-personal information in the letter confirming that someone has had the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination status: if you cannot get a pass letter – Translated versions of the non-personal information sent to you if you cannot get a post-vaccination confirmation letter about your COVID-19 vaccination status.
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Arabic
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Bengali
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Bulgarian
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Simplified Chinese
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Czech
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – French
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Hungarian
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Italian
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Lithuanian
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Polish
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Portuguese
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Romanian
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Slovak
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Spanish
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Tagalog
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths – Tetum