GPs need information about vaccine supply, with as much notice as possible says RCGP

Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs and our teams have prepared incredibly hard to facilitate the Covid-19 vaccination programme roll-out in general practice. This has been no mean feat given the logistical challenges associated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine – and we’ve played a huge part in already vaccinating hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable patients against this dreadful virus.

“Now we need information about the supply we already have in the country, and about when future supply is expected to arrive. Every vaccination site needs to know when their next supplies are arriving, with as much notice as possible, so that they can make necessary and feasible preparations to ensure the roll-out is as smooth and efficient as it can be. This includes being able to give patients as much notice as possible about their appointment, which will likely increase uptake.

“It’s also important we see comprehensive data on vaccinations – including how many have been given, to which groups, and how many, if any, have been unused – so that issues can be identified and addressed.

“It is vital that the Covid-19 vaccination programme is successful. We will be working closely with NHSE and the four governments of the UK to raise our members’ issues and concerns as they arise and to ensure that these are resolved quickly. Ultimately, vaccines only work when people have them and we would urge patients to come forward for their vaccine when they are invited to.”

Further information

RCGP Press office – 020 3188 7633/7494/7574

Out of hours: 0203 188 7659 

press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editor

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 52,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.