COVID-19 vaccination programme

Whilst vaccination rates are good in Bedford Borough, every vaccination counts in helping to protect us all.

Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect each other and stop the COVID-19 virus spreading.

COVID-19 vaccines available as booked appointments or as walk-ins

Book via the national booking system or phone 119
Go to a walk-in site

Free taxi rides

We are now offering free taxi rides for residents to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Who can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine?

People in the groups below can get a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

16 years and over

16 and 17 year olds in Bedford Borough can now get their COVID-19 vaccinations at drop ins sites, with no appointment necessary.

If you are aged 16 or over you can also book your COVID-19 vaccination via the National Booking System or by phoning 119.

It is also really important that people get their second vaccination when it is time. See the BLMK ICB website for information on second dose appointments and drop ins.

Children and young people aged 12 to 15

All children aged 12 to 15 years are being offered their COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccinating children should help to reduce the need for children to have time off school and to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 within schools.

Parents and guardians of 12-15 years old can book vaccinations for their child at local vaccination centres via the National Booking Service. There are also drop-in sessions for this age range which can be found via the BLMK site.

Children aged 5 to 11

Currently all children who are at high risk from COVID-19 or live with someone who is immunosuppressed are being offered their COVID-19 vaccinations. If your child is in this category you will have already been contacted by their consultant or your GP. If you feel your child should be included we advise you to speak with their consultant or GP to discuss.

See further information on the BLMK ICB website.

COVID-19 booster vaccine

Everybody aged 16 and above is eligible for their COVID booster vaccine three months after their second dose. Boosters can be obtained through using the National Booking System and through drop-ins.

Find out more about the COVID-19 booster vaccine.

People with a weakened immune system

A third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a weakened immune system when they had their first two doses.

This includes people who had or have:

a blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
a weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
an organ or bone marrow transplant
a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
a condition or treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a third dose
If you're eligible for a third dose, the NHS will let you know when and where to have the vaccine.

The third vaccine dose for people with a weakened immune system is not a booster dose.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with a weakened immune system on GOV.UK

Your NHS number

To help speed up your vaccination appointment we ask you to bring your NHS number with you. You can find your NHS number on most correspondence from your GP surgery, hospital consultant, or on the NHS app (if registered).

You can also use the NHS Find Your NHS Number service.

COVID-19 vaccination Q&A for parents/carers of 12-17 year olds

On Thursday 4 November, Bedford Borough Council invited parents and carers of children aged 12-17 to a virtual Q&A session to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine.

The event, hosted by Senior Public Health Officer, Dr Foyeke Tolani, was an opportunity for parents and carers of 12-17 year olds to hear from local GP Dr Vijay Nayar and the Chief Officer for Public Health, Dr Ian Brown about the COVID vaccine for this age group and ask questions.

You can watch a recording of the session here.

View a transcript of the questions and answers at the session here.

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB)

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for the vaccination programme for Bedford Borough.

There is lots of local information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Bedford Borough on the BLMK ICB's website, including frequently asked questions and about receiving your vaccine.

For detailed information about the approved COVID-19 vaccine go to the NHS website where most of your questions should be answered.

Please contact BLMK ICB by writing to blmkicb.contactus@nhs.net if you have any queries about the vaccination programme in Bedford Borough.