Welcome to the website for the Wythenshawe, Brooklands and Northenden vaccination centre based at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre.
This service is delivered by your local community teams, pharmacies, GP practices, voluntary sector organisations and members of the community working together.
The GP Practices involved are:
Northern Moor Medical Practice.
Woodlands Medical Practice.
Where will I be having the vaccine?
You will be invited by your GP to attend Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe.
Car parking is available on-site.
The Portway bus stop is directly outside the centre, for bus routes 18, 43 and 103. Additionally, routes 11, 101 and 729 stop at Oatlands Road, less than 200m away.
If you are unable to get to Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre yourself, please call your practice, who will be able to help.
You can visit the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre website here.
When will I be having the vaccine?
Based on the national guidance, General Practices are inviting patients in groups in the following order:
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Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers.
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All those 80 years of age and over, and frontline health and social care workers.
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All those 75 years of age and over.
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All those 70 years of age and over, and Clinically Extremely Vulnerable individuals.
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All those 65 years of age and over.
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All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality.
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All those 60 years of age and over.
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All those 55 years of age and over.
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All those 50 years of age and over.
We are working through the priority grouping as fast as possible, and if you are eligible, you will be invited to have the vaccine. The NHS/your GP will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine, so there is no need to contact the NHS/your GP to request one.
For more information on the priority groups, as well as more information on whether you are eligible, please visit the JCVI advice on priority groups for COVID-19 here.
Am I eligible for the vaccine?
The NHS is offering these vaccines first to those at highest risk of catching the infection and of suffering serious problems if they catch the infection. This was recommended by an independent expert group, The JCVI (The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation).
Those being invited first include older adults, frontline health and social care workers, care home residents and staff, and those with certain clinical conditions. When more vaccines become available, they will be offered to other people at risk as soon as possible.
All people who are in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable group will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Whether you are offered the vaccine may depend on the seriousness of your condition.
For more information on who will be able to receive the vaccine, and the order in which they are currently being given, as well as what health conditions may make you eligible, please check the government guidance here.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes, the vaccine is safe. The vaccines available in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness. Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through. Other vaccines are being developed, which will only be available on the NHS once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short term, and not everyone gets them. So far, thousands of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term problems have been reported. The vaccines do not contain living organisms, and are safe for people with disorders of the immune system.
You should not have the vaccine if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a previous vaccine, to a previous dose of the same COVID-19 vaccine, or to some medicines, household products or cosmetics. There is no evidence the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe if you are pregnant, but the vaccine is currently only being offered to you if you are at high risk, because of where you work or because of a health condition. You can have the COVID-19 vaccine if you're breastfeeding.
For more detailed information on the two vaccines we are currently using, please view the government information on both the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine here and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine here.
Once you have had the vaccine, you can report any suspected side effect to the Coronavirus Yellow Card Safety Scheme here.
How effective is the vaccine?
Having the vaccine is the best way to protect the most vulnerable people from coronavirus and has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives. The vaccine has been shown to be effective and no safety concerns were seen in studies of more than 20,000 people.
The first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should give you good protection from coronavirus, but it may take a week or two for your body to build up some protection from the first dose. The second dose of the vaccine, given between three to twelve weeks of the first dose, gives you longer lasting protection.
There is a chance you might still get or spread coronavirus even if you have the vaccine, but this should be less severe. This means it is important to continue to follow social distancing guidance, and if you can, wear something that covers your nose and mouth in places where it is hard to stay away from other people.
Can I choose which vaccine I want?
No, the manufacturer of the vaccine you receive largely depends on which is available on the day of your appointment. Stock of vaccine varies as different manufacturers' vaccines are delivered on different schedules.
My second dose has been cancelled; when will
it be rescheduled?
Your appointment will be rescheduled for you by your General Practice, and you should receive a new appointment date for between 3 and 12 weeks of your first dose. If you do not receive a new appointment date within this time, please contact your practice.
Will both my doses be from the same manufacturer?
Yes, as per national guidance from independent experts, JCVI. Switching between vaccines or missing the second dose is not advised as this may affect the duration of protection.
Are there any circumstances in which I can get the
vaccine early?
Unfortunately, no. We are currently strictly following the national guidance to determine which groups of people to invite, and in what order. Having the vaccine does not prevent you from transmitting the virus, despite being immune yourself.
How can I volunteer to help the vaccination centre?
As more and more vaccination centres are stood up there is a need for help for the local community. At present, the majority of vaccination sites urgently need Volunteer Marshals to safely direct patients on site when they; arrive, receive their vaccination and exit, along with supporting car park traffic and handing out PPE and information. If you can offer your time to support the marshalling of the centres, please do consider signing up.
For more information, including details on signing up to be a Volunteer Marshall, please visit manchestercommunitycentral.org/vaccination
How can I spot and avoid COVID-19 vaccination scams?
We are aware that some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination. Coronavirus vaccines are only available on the NHS. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, or your GP surgery to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.
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The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.
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The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
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The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
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The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk
For more information on how to spot and report suspected scams, and some examples of what scam messages may look like, please click here.