Coronavirus vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is our best defence against the virus. The vaccine is safe and effective, and is currently being rolled out across The Black Country and West Birmingham to priority groups.
When will I get the vaccine?
Vaccinations are being offered to all healthcare workers, care home residents, the elderly and the ‘clinically vulnerable’ first. It will then be offered to other people in order of priority. The order is set by an independent expert group, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI), and is as follows:
- Care home residents and staff, over-80s and front-line health and care workers
- All those aged 75 and over
- All those aged 70 and over, and clinically extremely vulnerable people
- All those aged 65 and over
- Adults aged 18 to 65 in an at risk group
- All those aged 60 and over
- All those aged 55 and over
- All those aged 50 and over
- Rest of the population
Everyone who is eligible to get their vaccine will be invited by the NHS or their local GP at the appropriate time. Please don’t try to book a vaccine if you haven’t had an invite – you won’t be able to.
More information about why you may be asked to wait can be found here:
If you are in an eligible group and haven’t been invited yet, please bear with us – it’s not possible to vaccinate everybody at once and your invitation will come.
How can I get the vaccine?
When it’s your turn, you can choose one of three ways to get your vaccine:
- at your local GP-run vaccination service
- at selected local pharmacies
- at a large vaccination centre, which may be further to travel to than your local service but may also be able to see you quicker.
The vaccine is given by injection into the upper arm. You will need two doses, which are given up to 12 weeks apart. One dose provides considerable protection. The second completes the course and is important for longer term protection.
You can find lots of information about the vaccine, including safety information and what to do at your appointment, here:
Continue to wash hands, cover face and make space
The COVID-19 vaccine is our best defence against the virus used alongside effective social distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands. Please continue to follow Government guidance and keep to any rules that are in place nationally or in your local area, to protect yourself and your loved ones.
