Covid vaccinations given abroad or not showing on NHS app

Recording a vaccine received elsewhere on my GP records and NHS app

We have received a high number of requests to enter details of a COVID vaccine onto our patients’ GP records and the NHS app.  We appreciate that this is a confusing situation.  Unfortunately, there is some conflicting information about this both in the media and within other parts of the NHS.  Currently, it is not possible for us to record details of COVID vaccines in such a way that it will appear on the NHS app.  The vaccine information which appears on the NHS App is taken from the IT systems used in the vaccine centres around the country, not a patient’s GP records.

Vaccines received in the UK

If you have had a vaccine in the UK, but it is not showing on the NHS App, it’s likely that there has been some kind of problem at the vaccine clinic.  Either it was not entered correctly onto the IT system, or the IT system has failed to upload it onto the NHS App.  If you are in this situation, please contact the centre where you received your COVID vaccine or the VDRS. The Vaccine Data Resolution Service (VDRS) aims to resolve missing or incorrect vaccination records for people vaccinated in England who have a current NHS number and are registered with a GP practice in England. This can be accessed by calling 119 and asking to be referred to the Vaccine Data Resolution Service.

Vaccines received outside the UK

If you received either one or both of your vaccine doses outside of the UK, we can enter this onto your GP record.  It would be useful for us to have this information on your health records, and you can send it to us by submitting an E-consultation asking for administrative help on our website.  You can attach a photo of any documents you have relating to the vaccine (including the manufacturer and the date it was given).  However, at present, this information will not appear on the NHS app.  This may change but that would require changes to the NHS App and it is outside of our control here at Yiewsley Family Practice. In order to provide evidence that you have had a vaccine abroad (for example, to an employer), you will need to show whatever proof you have from the country where you had the vaccine.

Vaccines administered overseas cannot be recorded in the UK National Immunisation Management system (NIMS) which is the system used to show your vaccination status in the NHS App.  Therefore the ability to show any “overseas” Vaccination  Certificate and request a Vaccination Passport is not currently available from the NHS.

Any queries regarding this issue need to be directed to NHS 119 or to NHS App support rather than the GP practice: https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/nhs-app-contact-us/

The NHS is starting to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine, in line with the government’s priority list of which people will get it first. This is a very exciting development and we want to be clear about how it will work for local people. The NHS will get in touch with you directly when it is your turn to be vaccinated. Please don’t contact your practice, doctor or the NHS asking about vaccination; this is not a service that you are able to book in advance. You will be contacted when it is your turn to be vaccinated in the weeks and months ahead.

So please remember:

·        Don’t contact the NHS to seek a COVID-19 vaccine, we will contact you when it is your time for the vaccine

·        When we do contact you, please follow the information given to know when and where to get your vaccine

·        Keep your appointment once it is made

·        The vaccine is safe. The NHS only offers vaccinations to the public once experts have signed off that it is safe to do so

·        Vaccine centres are being set up across the eight boroughs of NW London over the coming weeks.  We are getting everything ready so we can start vaccinating as soon as we start receiving the vaccine

·        We will vaccinate in order of priority, following national guidance

·        Please continue to follow the national public health guidance to control the virus and save lives – Hands – Face – Space.

COVID-19 is still very prevalent and highly infectious: the risk of catching it is the same as ever for people who have not been vaccinated.

There is more information about the COVID-19 vaccine on both the Government and the NHS websites, please take time to click on these links and read through these pages if you want to find out more.  

Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first.  If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.

 Please also note that GPs are not to vaccinate this age group until the clinically at risk have been done  This means that no 50-64 year old (other than those who are in the clinical at risk group) should be invited to attend for a vaccine until there is confirmation from the national team that there is vaccine supply for this group.