If you are aged 18 years and over, and you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination, you will receive an invitation from Quedgeley Medical Centre to attend one of our drop-in clinics in April and May.
Who is eligible?
The following groups will be offered a free COVID-19 vaccine this spring:
- aged 75 years or over
- a resident in a care home for older adult
- aged 6 months or over and have a weakened immune systemYou may be eligible for a COVID-19 if you have a weakened immune system.
What is a weakened immune system?
You may have a weakened immune system if you:
- have or had blood cancer (leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
- had an organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant
- have HIV
- have a genetic disorder affecting your immune system
- are having or recently had chemotherapy, biological therapy or radiotherapy
- take steroid medicines, depending on your dosage
- are having immunosuppressive treatment
Why should you have the vaccine?
It’s important you top up your protection if you are eligible because it fades over time and viruses can change. If you are at increased risk of getting severe symptoms, having your COVID-19 vaccination helps to:
- reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
- reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital if you catch COVID-19
- protect against different types (variants) of COVID-19
It may take a few days for your body to build up the extra protection from the vaccine. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective – some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but any infection should be less severe.