Proof of Medical Exemption – Covid-19 Vaccination
Some individuals are unable to be vaccinated and also, in some cases, tested for medical reasons. You can apply for proof that you have a medical reason why you should not be vaccinated or why you should not be vaccinated and tested.
If you get this proof of medical exemption you’ll be able to use the NHS COVID Pass wherever you need to prove your COVID-19 status within England.
Until 24 December 2021, you can self-certify that you’re medically exempt if you work or volunteer in a care home.
Some businesses in England choose to use the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry. Until 24 December, businesses can decide whether to allow in people who self-declare that they’re medically exempt.
From 25 December, if you’re unable to get vaccinated, you’ll have to use the NHS COVID Pass in the same way that people who are fully vaccinated use it.
For full information on the requirements for proof regarding being exempt from Covid-19 vaccination please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-medical-exemptions-proving-you-are-unable-to-get-vaccinated
Clarification on Covid Face Covering Exemption Cards/Certificates
With the new legal requirements regarding face coverings coming into effect in England, we thought it might be useful to explain when and who requires a covid exemption card/certificate.
If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:
- You do not routinely need to show any written evidence of this
- You do not need to show an exemption card
This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.
However, if you feel more comfortable showing something that says you do not have to wear a face covering, this could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or sign. Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and not required by law.
If you wish to use an exemption card or badge, you can download and print out or show these templates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Exemptions from face coverings
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear them, so please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances.
Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
- children under the age of 11 (The UK Health and Security Agency does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
- people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- people for whom putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress
- people speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate
- to avoid the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
- police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering:
- if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
- if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, for assessing health recommendations (for example by a pharmacist) or for age identification purposes, including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
- in order to take medication
Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad
Please visit the gov.uk website for information on how to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status to show that you’ve had the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine and access this status when travelling abroad. This also includes details of how to obtain a letter to show your vaccination status.
In response to the demand from patients for easy access to their COVID-19 vaccination status, Patient Access has also enabled a feature which makes it easier for patients to view their COVID-19 vaccination record from the home screen of their Patient Access account.
This new feature will automatically be visible for patients who already have access to their detailed care record and immunisations. If you don’t already have a Patient Access account please contact us for details of how to apply.
Please DO NOT contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHSapp, (which is also valuable for accessing your health records and ordering repeat prescriptions) .
The NHSapp can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play
Alternatively you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you.
COVID-19 Vaccination Q&A
Attributable to the high call volumes regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, and to prevent you waiting in a call queue, we have assembled a Q&A to answer some of the most frequently asked questions:
1. Should I call the surgery to book my COVID-19 vaccination?
No. Please do not contact the surgery to try and arrange your vaccination appointment. Our Clinic Co-Ordinator’s will contact you when necessary.
2. Why am I being invited to a mass vaccination centre?
The NHS are sending letters to individuals in group 5 and 7 whom will need to book a vaccine appointment at a mass vaccination centre. We strongly encourage you to have your vaccination at these centres to reduce your waiting time, as we will not be able to vaccinate anyone from these groups until group 6 is completed. Our nearest mass vaccination centres are Winsford and Warrington.
3. I am a carer, when can I expect to have my vaccination?
Carers are included in group 6, and can expect to hear from the surgery within the upcoming weeks to arrange your first vaccination. Please do bare with us, as our capacity to vaccinate individuals is based on vaccine delivery and is often limited to one clinic of 150-200 per week and again, we will contact you when necessary.
4. Why are individuals younger than me being vaccinated?
Group 4 includes patients who are extremely clinically vulnerable (aged 18-69), and therefore have been invited for their vaccination.
5. I am / I have a family member with learning disabilities, when will I/they be invited?
Patients on the practices learning disability register are in group 6. The surgery is currently working through this cohort and will contact you as soon as we are able to offer you an appointment.
6. I am due my second vaccination, when can I expect to hear about this?
We will be contacting all patients who are due their second vaccination in due course. You do not need to contact the surgery to arrange this.
7. I think I am in the wrong group, what should I do?
If you think you are in the wrong group, please send an email to cheshireccg.wittonstreetsurgery@nhs.net and this will be investigated.
If you still need to contact us regarding the vaccinations, we ask that you are patient with the team as we are also dealing with other medical queries and emergencies. Thank you – we appreciate your support during this time!
If you are 60+ and receive a letter inviting you to a Mass Vaccination Centre for your Covid-19 vaccination, please make an appointment and get your vaccine!
Do not contact the surgery as we are currently vaccinating Group 6 patients and can not invite anyone else until this group is complete. In doing so, you will affect our ability to assist patients who require medical attention.
We will contact you if necessary either by text, phone, or letter. Be assured that our team are working hard to adhere to the timescale outlined by the government, which can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55045639
Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
The roll-out of a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine across local communities by groups of GP practices starts in December 2020.
This expands the local roll-out beyond the hospital hubs which started vaccinating on December 8th.
Please help us to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme safely and effectively by following this simple guidance:
1. We will contact you when is the right time for you to come forward. Please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine before then.
2. When you are invited for a vaccine, please act on your invite and make sure you attend appointments when you arrange them.
3. Please continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing and hand hygiene guidance as, until a vaccine has been fully rolled out, this is the most effective way to reduce transmission of the virus and help save lives.
