Last Updated: 4th January
COVID-19 Vaccination
Book or manage your coronavirus vaccination
People aged 45 or over in England can now book a Covid vaccine, as the programme enters a new phase.
It comes after all over 50s and those in high-risk groups in the UK were offered a first dose of the vaccine. The government has said it is on track to offer a first dose to all adults by the end of July.
People can book their appointments on the NHS England website
To maximise uptake, the National Booking Service has recently introduced a text message service for COVID-19 vaccination invitations, sending messages to eligible people – including those from earlier groups who have not yet had a vaccination recorded.
When it is your turn to book a vaccination you will need to provide:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your NHS number (which will be provided in your invitation letter)
More information about how to find your NHS number is available here
Further information about Cheshire’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is available here
Calls to action
- If you are in an eligible group and you haven’t booked your first dose yet, the time to do so is right now.
- The quickest way to arrange an appointment is via the National Booking Service, which offers appointments at NHS vaccination services in your area from 9am-11pm, seven days a week.
- The National Booking Service is available online here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.
- If you already have an appointment in the coming weeks, whether for your first or second dose, it’s really important that you attend as planned. The first dose of vaccine offers good levels of protection, but to get maximum protection everyone will need to get a second dose.
- Despite recent media coverage outlining a national supply issue, everyone in Cheshire who has already had their first dose will be offered their second dose within 12 weeks. Available vaccine supply is being prioritised for this purpose.
- Unless you are in the groups being invited now, please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine – we will contact you when it is the right time.
- Please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, and make sure you come back for your second dose.
- Whether you have had your vaccine or not, please continue to follow all the guidance in place to help control the virus and save lives.
Phase 2
The COVID Vaccination Programme is moving into its second phase when people aged 18-49 will be offered their first dose.
During Phase 2 there may be some changes to the locations of vaccination services and the way that the vaccine is delivered.
Partners are working closely to ensure that responsive and accessible local services are in place in Phase 2 to vaccinate our residents.
If you are not eligible yet
Wait to be contacted. The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. It’s important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
The order of vaccinations is as follows:
| Priority | Risk group |
| 1 | Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults |
| 2 | All those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers |
| 3 | All those 75 years of age and over |
| 4 | All those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals (not including pregnant women and those under 16 years of age) |
| 5 | All those 65 years of age and over |
| 6 | Adults aged 16 to 65 years in an at-risk group* |
| 7 | All those 60 years of age and over |
| 8 | All those 55 years of age and over |
| 9 | All those 50 years of age and over |
| 10 | Rest of the population (to be determined) |
*Information about the at-risk health conditions can be found on the Government website.
If you would like to join the vaccination team as a paid Vaccinator or as an NHS Volunteer you can apply to join the team here.
Book a Lateral Flow Test
Congleton residents WITHOUT COVID-19 symptoms can book a lateral flow test on a Tuesday or Thursday between 9am – 5pm at New Life Church in West Road, Congleton. There are no walk in appointments – but you can pre-book upto 14 days in advance: https://cheshireeast.zipporah.co.uk/…/Boo…/TrackAndTrace or call 0300 123 5032.
Residents WITH SYMPTOMS should get a PCR test via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Doctors
Do not attempt to see a doctor if you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms- a high temperature or a new persistent cough. If you do not recover or your symptoms get worse, follow the advice given by the NHS 111 web site. Do not ring 111 unless you have no Internet access.
Please note surgery information may be subject to change:
Lawton House Surgery (Bromley Road, Congleton, CW12 1QG, Tel 01260 275454): Open normal hours (Mon-Fri 8:00-18:30) to receive requests for repeat prescriptions, but if you want an appointment a doctor will speak to you over the phone to decide whether it is necessary. Lawton House Surgery are ringing everyone with pre booked appointments the day before, trying to consult over the phone, visiting the surgery is last resort. Anyone visiting the surgery (restricted to 5 at a time), are triaged at the door then told where to sit to make sure all kept apart. No supporters (family) allowed. Still doing necessary injections; Prostate, B12, Babies etc., still ringing the patient first.
Prescriptions: online / written only (not over the phone). Lawton House Surgery are ringing patients and getting them to nominate a pharmacy for the prescription to be sent to for collection.
Meadowside Medical Centre (Mountbatten Way, Congleton, CW12 1DY, Tel 01260 272331): Open normal hours (Mon-Fri 8:00-18:30) to receive requests for repeat prescriptions, but if you want an appointment a doctor will speak to you over the phone to decide whether it is necessary. If you come to the surgery, you will need to knock on the inner door in order to speak to the receptionist.
Readsmoor Medical Centre (29/29A/31 West Street, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1JP, Tel 01260 276161): Open normal hours (Mon-Fri 8:00-18:30). No consultations except over the phone. Patients who come to the door will be given advice but not admitted to the surgery. Injections: if they are necessary then the patient is contacted by the nurse, these are carried out at the surgery, but all are triaged at the door before entry.
Prescriptions: repeats through pharmacy or they can still be dropped in at the surgery there is a box outside for this. All will be sent direct to the nominated pharmacy, or they will be posted direct to the patient (this is a last resort) cannot be collected.
Advice for Parents during the Coronavirus pandemic
Pharmacies
Do not visit a pharmacy if you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms – a high temperature or a new persistent cough. Ask someone to collect your prescription for you or ring and ask for a delivery where this service is available.
| Name | Location & Number | Opening Hours | Details |
| Boots | Retail Park, Barn Road 01260 276977 | Mon-Fri; 8am-Midnight Sat; 8am-10pm Sun; 10am-4pm | Deliveries Mon-Fri for people who are self-isolating can be arranged over the phone. |
| Boots | Pedestrian Area 01260 273153 | Mon-Sat; 9am-5.30pm | – |
| Congleton Pharmacy (Readesmoor) | West Street 01260 277149 | Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri; 8am-6.30pm Thurs; 8am-8pm Sat; 9am-1pm | Ring the bell on the back door in the yard and someone will come to take your name and return with your prescription. At busy times you will need to wait your turn in the open air. Payment is by cash or contactless only. |
| Lloyds Pharmacy | West Street 01260 275523 | Mon-Fri; 8.30am-6.15pm Sat; 9am-1pm | – |
| Mossley Pharmacy | Biddulph Road 01260 275177 | Mon-Fri; 9am-1pm & 2pm-6pm Sat; 9am-1pm | – |
| Salus Pharmacy | Havannah Street, Buglawton 01260 291091 | Mon-Fri; 9am-6pm Sat; 9am-1pm | – |
| Superdrug Pharmacy | Pedestrian Area 01260 278341 | Mon-Sat; 9am-5.30pm Sun; closed | 2.00pm-2.30pm can hand in prescriptions. |
| Tesco Pharmacy | Barn Road 0191 479 8135 | Mon-Sat; 6am-10pm Sun; 10am-4pm | – |
| Well Pharmacy | Park Lane 01260 280810 | Mon-Fri; 8.45am-6.30pm. Sat; 9am-1pm | – |
| West Heath Pharmacy | West Heath Shopping Centre 01260 297196 | Mon-Fri; 9am-5.30pm Sat; 9am-1pm | Deliveries can be arranged over the phone. You do not have to be an existing customer, but please say if you are self-isolating so that the driver can take precautions. |
**The information in this table is provided by the local pharmacies and via internet searches. It is updated as businesses let us know of any changes.
Dentists
Dental practices are now open for the provision of a full range of dental services, however due to physical distancing and enhanced infection control measures this is not yet business as usual.
For emergency dental procedures, in the first instance ring your normal dentist, otherwise the advice is to call NHS 111.
- Congleton Dental Centre, West Street: 07955 589040- a dentist can be contacted in normal working hours (weekdays 9am-5pm).
- Bupa Dental Care, off Antrobus Street Car Park: 01260 299929
- Moody Terrace Dental, Moody Street: 01260 272657
Where to go next
Do you need information about COVID-19?
Do you need help? Can you offer help?
Shopping and deliveries in Congleton?
Want to keep up your hobbies and social life whilst ‘social distancing’?
