Milton Keynes University Hospital is postponing all appointments for local people due to receive their second COVID vaccination dose at the hospital from Monday 4 January 2021.
Following a national announcement today (Thursday 31 December 2020) from the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, the approach to second/ booster vaccinations has changed with the period between vaccinations now extended to 12 weeks.
This decision has been taken following advice from both The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the following two reasons:
- The first dose of the vaccine offers considerable protection and therefore it is important that the NHS uses doses to vaccinate as many people in priority groups as possible;
- There is some evidence that a longer interval between first dose and booster may provide a stronger and longer-lasting immune response.
The hospital is contacting all those who have already received their first jab to advise that their booster dose will now be rearranged and they will be contacted from mid-February to arrange their next appointment.
If you have an appointment to receive your second COVID vaccination dose at the hospital, you will be contacted to advise that your appointment will now be deferred to a later date.
Please do not attend the hospital for your follow-up vaccination or contact the hospital to arrange a new appointment. They will contact you in February with a new appointment.
To read more about the change of approach to the COVID vaccination programme, click here for more information: Statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the prioritisation of first doses of COVID-19 vaccines - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
MK Hospital apologises for the short notice of this change and any inconvenience caused. You can visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
