COVID 19 Updates

**COVID Rule Change – June 2022**

As many of you are aware NHS England has changed their guidance about the wearing of face coverings.

It is no longer mandatory for patients to wear masks in the surgery, however, we would ask all patients to be respectful of our vulnerable population & staff.

Therefore patients with respiratory symptoms, such as coughs, colds and any exposure to COVID should continue to wear a facemask/covering. A mask can be made available upon request.

Patient facing staff are still required to wear masks. Please remember that some of them are also vulnerable. Thank you for your participation

**Covid Vaccination Update – East PCN – June 2022**

The Spring Booster has been a success and is drawing to a close. The following information shows the Spring Booster Update uptake for the PCN:

Over 75’s:                                         86%

12+ Immunosuppressed:             61%

5-11 year olds:                                17%

Patients who are eligible can still book at local services and these can be accessed in the following ways:

5-11 year olds: Must go to a Walk-In clinic and cannot book through 119 or online. The following website is updated regularly with local clinic information, but please note they must choose a clinic suitable for 5-11 year olds.

www.happyhealthylives.uk

12+ immunosuppressed and patients over 75 years old who are eligible:  

Those turning 75 on or before 30^th June are also eligible and can book online using the National Booking Service online or by calling 119.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/

They can also go to a walk in service by accessing the happyhealthylives.uk website. Please note Immunosuppressed patients must take evidence of their immunosuppression with them to clinic, such as, a letter explaining their treatment plan or condition from their hospital or a prescription or medicine box.

**Requests for COVID recovery certificates**

We are being contacted by patients to try and obtain a COVID recovery certificate. We have spoken to 119 today who have confirmed that they cannot issue a COVID pass for anyone under 16 years old, there is no such document and patients have to use their PCR test results. Please see the guidance that 119 have supplied:

Q – How will young people aged 12-15 who have received their covid vaccination prove this?

A – It is not currently possible for a young person to demonstrate covid status using a pass. All international travellers should check entry requirements of the intended destination country using the foreign, commonwealth and development office travel advice website – see www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, as requirements for testing and vaccinations can vary from country to country, especially for young people.

(this may mean a young person will be required to have a PCR test privately on entering/leaving a country. Regardless of isolation period if they have had covid and are still testing positive outside of isolation, they will not be able to enter another country)

Q – Can a young person generate a covid pass/recovery certificate to prove their covid status?

A – At the moment, it is not possible to generate a covid pass to prove covid status. This includes vaccination status and natural immunity (if they have had covid within 180 days). Young people aged 12-16 do not have access to the NHS app and it is this app that would generate an individuals QR code to prove their vaccination status or natural immunity. This is also the only way and adult can prove their natural immunity/if they have had covid within 180 days and covid vaccination status (via the NHS app).

(this is being worked on, hopefully there will be something in place soon!!)

Q – Why is an adults app showing an expiry date for covid status?

A – The NHS app shows an expiry date of 30 days, but will refresh on logging out and back in again which will refresh the app. The app will show a status of 180 days.