Croydon COVID-19 vaccination programme

Last updated: 28 July 2021

Over 18? Book your COVID-19 vaccination online now

If you’re aged over 18, a carer or have an underlying health condition, call 119 or visit nhs.uk/covid-vaccination to book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

Your local NHS is delivering the biggest vaccination programme in its history. Everyone has an important part to play to help us with this programme of work

  • The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They will give you the best protection against coronavirus.
  • It’s never too late to get the Covid vaccine. It’s safe and effective, but speak to your GP if you have any concerns.

Who’s being prioritised for vaccination?

Our priority remains vaccinating the most vulnerable people in south west London. The NHS will offer you a vaccination when it’s your turn – this will be when you’re in a priority group.

Find out who is being prioritised and why

What do you need to know about appointments?

When it’s your turn, you’ll be invited by the NHS to book an appointment.

Read more about how you will be invited for vaccination

Where can you get vaccinated?

The vaccination is being offered in a variety of places across south west London, including GP and pharmacy-led services, hospitals and community vaccination centres.

Find out where you can get vaccinated

You may also be able to have your first vaccination at one of the following walk-in clinics in south west London – but not everyone is eligible, so please check the clinic details before deciding to go.

Local update

The 19th July saw the completion of the second phase of the biggest vaccination programme in the health service’s history, which offers us an opportunity to reflect on the work undertaken so far and to look ahead.

One million local people have now been given their first Covid-19 vaccination by the NHS in south west London This means that 83% of the adult population is protected – with over 700,000 receiving both doses.

However, there are still thousands of people – many of them younger – who have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine. For those who are still unsure, we continue to encourage them to come and have a chat at one of our vaccination centres to get the facts. There is no pressure to be vaccinated – we just want to make sure everyone has the facts so they can make their own decision.

Read more in our weekly borough update

Highlight

After months of deliberation, Andrew Brown, CEO of the Croydon BME Forum got his vaccine at Selhurst Park.   Find out more about it by watching our video.

Watch more films about COVID-19 vaccination

Top questions

If you have had COVID-19 then your body may have built up some natural immunity to the virus, however we don’t know how long this immunity lasts or if it fully protects you from catching COVID-19 again. It is likely that natural immunity won’t last as long as the immunity given to you by a vaccine. So, it is still very important to take up the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to you.

You’ll need to book a 2nd dose for 8 to 12 weeks after your 1st dose.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) has issued interim advice suggesting that any booster programme should be offered from September 2021 and should prioritize those most at risk of serious disease. 

Final advice will be published before September and will take into account the latest epidemiological situation. The NHS is preparing now to ensure that we are ready for the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign in the autumn or winter.  Further details will be set out in due course.

An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. You may be asked to show your pass to travel abroad, or at events and venues in the UK when asked for proof of your COVID-19 status.

You can get the NHS Covid Pass either:

  • two weeks after your second vaccine dose
  • if you’ve had a negative PCR or lateral flow test result in the past 48 hours – and have reported it on the NHS website (this pass lasts for 48 hours after the result)
  • if you have had a positive PCR test result within the past six months, and have finished self-isolating (this pass lasts for 180 days after the result)
  • You can get a digital version of the NHS Covid Pass using the NHS App or NHS website.  A paper copy of the pass, also called a Covid-19 Post Vaccination Letter, can be requested online or by calling 119.

Some countries may also ask for a negative Covid-19 test result. Always check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting before you book your travel. If you’re planning to travel abroad or want to know more about your Covid-19 status:

For more information on the COVID Pass, visit NHS COVID Pass.

Most religious groups and faith leaders in the UK and throughout the world have been working to address concerns about the COVID-19 Vaccine, provide people with evidence-based information, and support individuals in making an informed decision about whether to have the vaccine.

If you have religious concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, please discuss them with a trusted faith leader and have a conversation with a clinician at one of our walk in vaccination clinics.

NHS England is also leading an information drive about the vaccinations, including a series of videos in different community languages which can be accessed here:https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/covid-19-vaccine-communication-materials/ 

Discover more answers in our Q&A

Information in different formats and languages

You can translate all the written content on this website by using the language menu in the top right hand corner of this page.

Useful resources are available in many languages and formats, including British Sign Language, which will help you to learn more about the vaccine and how it’s being offered. The handy resources have been produced by the NHS, Public Health England and partners.

Explore the leaflets to find out more

Engagement with local communities in Croydon

We know that in Croydon some of our communities are less likely to take up the offer of the vaccine than other groups.

We’re engaging with local communities to give people the chance to ask local experts about the vaccine so that they can make informed decisions and we can understand any concerns they may have.

It’s been another busy few weeks in Croydon as we engage with local communities about our vaccine programme:

  • Our door to door knocking team average 1,600 doors per day and advise on local walk-ins and pop ups, help guide people through the process of booking their vaccine, answer questions about the vaccine and signpost people to further sources of help where necessary
  • A team made up of clinical staff and information officers spent the weekend between East and West Croydon stations advising on where and how to get a vaccine as well as giving information and listening to residents’ views on the vaccine
  • We worked with His Grace Evangelical Outreach Church and the Croydon BME Forum to run two focus groups with people who identify as from a Black African or Black British background
  • A letter from Rachel Flowers, our Director of Public Health, went out to all parents via head teachers as schools come to the end of term, encouraging parents to get vaccinated and how to do so
  • Croydon BME Forum are also running focus groups to hear from people with long term conditions regarding the vaccination programme including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell and thalassemia and lupus. If you would like to be involved, please do get in touch with us.

To find out more about engagement in Croydon, you can read the Croydon Communications and Engagement Plan. 

If you’d like to attend a local COVID-19 vaccination event or find out more, email getinvolved@swlondon.nhs.uk

COVID-19 news

Borough updates

For the latest coronavirus updates, and information from your area, please visit Croydon Council