Coronavirus vaccine rollout in Bury
On this page you will find lots of useful information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine rollout in Bury, along with when you can expect to be invited and answers to questions you may have.
Check out our Vaccinometer and rollout timeline
Vaccinometer
Our Vaccinometer is updated weekly and shows at a glance how many of the eligible population of Bury have received their first dose of the vaccine.
The latest publication below shows that as of 4 April 2021, a total of 91,439 first doses of the vaccine have been delivered from Bury's four community vaccination centres, hospital hubs and regional vaccination centres.
An updated Vaccinometer will be published on 15 April 2021.
- Download the
Download the Bury COVID-19 vaccinometer chart [327kb].
Rollout timeline for first dose vaccinations
This handy chart shows all of the eligible groups of people and by when we expect to have offered them their first dose of the vaccination.
Vaccination is by invitation only and you will be contacted when it is your turn - please do not contact your GP Practice before then.
When can I expect to be invited for my first dose?
Bury's roll out plan shown in the chart above falls into three phases, in line with guidance from scientists and the Government, the vaccines are being offered first to those at highest risk of catching and suffering serious complications from the virus as highlighted by the nationally defined groups.
Phase 1 - completed
- Care home residents and staff (over 3,400 people).
- People aged 80 years and over plus health and social care workers (over 14,000 people).
- People aged 75 years and over (over 7,000 people).
- People aged 70-74 years plus those aged 16-69 who are clinically extremely vulnerable (over 15,000 people).
Phase 2 target completion date 15 April 2021
- People aged 65-69 years (over 9,800 people).
- People aged 16-64 in an at-risk group, including carers (over 21,000 people).
- People aged 60-64 years (over 14,900 people).
- People aged 55-59 years of age (over 13,500 people).
- People aged 50-54 years of age (over 13,500 people).
Patients in the above groups that are housebound will be offered a vaccination at home.
Phase 3 target completion date end of July 2021
- People aged 18-49 (over 70,000 people).
More information about priority groups is available at gov.uk:
When it's my turn, who will contact me?
Vaccination is by invitation only and you will be contacted when it is your turn. Depending on the priority group you are in, you may be contacted by your GP Practice by letter, phone or text message which will include a link to book an appointment, or you may receive a letter from the NHS inviting you to one of the national vaccination centres.
If you receive a letter from the NHS inviting you to one of the national vaccination centres, but would prefer to receive your vaccination locally, you can choose to wait and your GP Practice will be in touch. Please do not contact your GP Practice before then.
Second dose vaccinations
The second dose of the vaccine is given at 11 weeks after the first dose, and you will be contacted by letter, phone or text message to book an appointment when the time is right. If you haven't been contacted by week 10 after your first dose, please contact your GP Practice.
Can I have my second dose early?
Once you have received the first dose of the vaccine, a second dose of the same vaccine is reserved for you from the national supply. The timing of this process means you will be invited to receive your second dose of the vaccine 11 weeks after the first dose, but not before.
What if I can't have my second dose on time?
Ideally you would have the second dose of the vaccine 11 weeks after the first dose - a second dose will be reserved just for you. We understand, however, that on some occasions this might not be possible, for example, if you are self-isolating at home.
There is no reason to expect that the second dose will be less effective if administered beyond 12 weeks, and the current guidance is that if the course of vaccinations is interrupted or delayed, it should be resumed as soon as possible, but does not need to be restarted.
Where will I receive the vaccination?
Bury has four community vaccination centres run by GP Practice teams supported by Community Pharmacy and many, many volunteers.
They are located at:
- Bury: At the Elizabethan Suite, Knowsley Street (at this location there are some steps to be negotiated, however, a lift is also available).
- Prestwich: At the Walk-in Centre, Fairfax Road.
- Radcliffe: At Bealey Intermediate Care Facility, Dumers Lane.
- Ramsbottom: At Ramsbottom Civic Hall, Market Place.
Watch our walk-through video and listen to staff, volunteers and patients talking about their experience of working at or having a vaccination at one of the vaccination centres:
- Watch the Bury Vaccination Centre video on YouTube.
Bury's four community vaccination centres are suitable for patients that can attend themselves or with support from a carer, all centres are suitable for wheelchair users.
Where essential, a single carer can accompany the person being vaccinated with the exception of the Prestwich centre, however, where possible we would kindly ask that carers wait outside due to limited space.
- National vaccination centres have also been set up including one at the Etihad Tennis Centre.
- There is also a hospital vaccination hub at Fairfield General Hospital for health and care staff and hospital patients.
I've got an appointment but I need to amend it, what should I do?
If you have booked an appointment via your GP Practice and need to change or cancel this, please contact your Practice directly. If you have booked an appointment yourself via the Simply Book online system after being given the booking link by your GP Practice or via the National Booking System after receiving a letter from the NHS, you can make any changes to your booking through the same website you used to book your appointment.
How is the vaccine given?
The vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm, both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Oxford-Astra Zeneca vaccines and given as two doses, with the second dose given up to 12 weeks after the first dose.
Can anyone not have the vaccine?
A very small number of people who are at risk of the virus cannot have the vaccine, this includes people who have severe allergies.
Women of childbearing age, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should read advice and information available online at:
Will the vaccine protect me?
Catching the virus can be serious and may lead to long-term complications, and while these are more common in older people or those with underlying clinical risk factors; being healthy doesn't reduce your risk of catching the virus or passing it on.
The vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from the virus.
Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective - some people may still get the virus despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.
Is the vaccine safe?
The vaccines are safe and effective and give the best protection against coronavirus. They have undergone months of rigorous testing in trials involving tens of thousands of participants which means we can be sure that they meet strict safety standards and offer high levels of protection.
Does the vaccine have any side effects?
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. Most side effects are usually mild and short-lived and, a bit like with the annual flu vaccination, not everyone gets them, they can include:
- A sore arm where the needle went in
- Feeling tired
- A headache
- Feeling achy
- Feeling or being sick
You can take painkillers such as paracetamol if you need to. If you have a high temperature you may have coronavirus or another infection. If your symptoms get worse or you are worried, call 111.
Protecting each other
Even if you have had the vaccine it is important to continue with the simple things we must all do to protect each other like practising social distancing; wearing a face mask and washing your hands carefully and frequently.
Coronavirus vaccine scams - please be vigilant
Action Fraud is warning people to remain vigilant as criminals begin to take advantage of the roll out of the vaccine to commit fraud.
- Find out more and how to protect yourself at Action Fraud - Coronavirus vaccine scams.