Patients in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire who have appointments for their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine are being contacted this week to reschedule their appointment in light of the latest advice from the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
The new medical advice is that the second dose of the vaccine remains effective when given up to 12 weeks after the first dose, and should be given towards the end of this 12 week period. As a result, some appointments are being rescheduled and the NHS will be contacting these patients directly.
While you will need two doses of the vaccine to get the best long-term protection from the virus, you will still have significant protection at 22 days after you received the first dose.
The new guidance will help ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the first dose of the vaccine as soon as possible which will help protect the population of Nottinghamshire, in particular those at greatest risk.
An NHS spokesperson said: “The MHRA, JCVI and UK Chief Medical Officers have updated the second dose timing guidance which the NHS has to follow, so as to increase the number of vulnerable people protected against covid over the next three months, potentially saving thousands of lives.”
You do not need to contact your GP or the hospital. We will contact you to reschedule your second vaccine appointment. Please do not attend for the appointment we have previously arranged for you.
We apologise for any inconvenience, and look forward to seeing you for your second vaccine dose at the right time.
