Please try to book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment online

Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday asked people aged 70 and over who have not yet been vaccinated to do so via the national booking service (www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination) or by phoning 119. If patients do this, they will be able to book into a large vaccination centre, such as the one at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich

If patients want to attend one of the Suffolk GP Federation centres, at Debenham Community Centre; The EpiCentre, Haverhill; Trinity Park, near Ipswich; The Mix, Stowmarket; and Woodbridge Community Hall, it is recommended that, wherever possible, they book online if they have already been contacted by text or by letter. 

Alternatively, the Federation’s booking line (01473 921821) is open 8.30am – 6pm today, but people phoning it are likely to experience lengthy delays.

Federation Chief Executive David Pannell said this was because wintry conditions had prevented many booking line staff from getting to work and their colleagues who have made it in are busy phoning patients whose appointments for today have been cancelled.

“I’m confident we have already invited the vast majority of the over 70s registered at the 28 practices to book an appointment,” he said.

“People who we contacted by text should use their unique booking code to book online at www.my-healthbook.co.uk”

The Federation is working with 28 GP practices in Suffolk on the COVID-19 vaccination programme. All five of its vaccination centres were closed yesterday and the Haverhill centre is the only one open today.

Mr Pannell said centres had plenty of appointments for the rest of the week and recommended that anyone who has to call the booking line should do so later in the day when the phone lines will be quieter.

The Federation is working with the following 28 practices: Barham & Claydon; Burlington Road, Ipswich; Chesterfield Drive, Ipswich; Combs Ford; Deben Road, Ipswich; Debenham; Derby Road, Ipswich; Eye; Felixstowe Road, Ipswich; Framlingham, Framfield House, Woodbridge; Fressingfield; Glemsford; Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich; Haverhill Family; Holbrook & Shotley; Little St John’s, Woodbridge; Mendlesham; Needham Market; Norwich Road, Ipswich; Orchard Street, Ipswich; Dr Solway, Ipswich; Peninsula (Alderton & Aldeburgh); Ravenswood, Ipswich; Stowhealth, Stowmarket; Unity Healthcare (formerly Christmas Maltings), Haverhill; Wickham Market; and Wickhambrook.

The Federation will decide later today whether it will be safe to open its vaccination centres tomorrow and will post its decision on its website (www.suffolkfed.org.uk).