Talking about the Covid-19 vaccine with your community

Covid-19 vaccination is one of the key remaining tools in controlling the pandemic, with safe and effective vaccines reducing hospitalisation and transmission, ultimately saving lives. We are seeing the impact that vaccines make– hospitals are less pressured than they have been during the pandemic, even when rates rise.

There are still many people who are not yet protected against Covid-19 and this means people are getting unnecessarily unwell and the most vulnerable individuals, whose vaccines may not be as effective as for others, face restrictions on their day-to-day lives.

Hundreds of people continue to come forward every week for their vaccinations. Appointments and walk-ins for first and second doses remain available at our vaccine centres and some pharmacies and GP practices.

We can all support vaccine uptake through constructive conversation and by offering practical assistance to:

• improve understanding of the importance of vaccination
• increase confidence in the safety of the vaccine
• improve access to vaccination

Trusted community figures and leaders are uniquely placed to talk directly with communities to help understand concerns around vaccination, share information and address misinformation. Therefore, this resource page has been developed to accompany the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire COVID-19 Vaccination Conversations development session to support you to undertake effective, positive conversations with members of your community. This will in turn support them to make an informed choice about the COVID-19 vaccine.

See our Covid-19 information page for key messages and information on eligibility and availability. You can find information about where the sites are on our vaccination site page.

Literacy, language, confidence, or access to technology issues can present hurdles to booking a vaccination appointment. Any support that you can offer people in overcoming these hurdles can make a huge difference.  

You could help them navigate the booking system or, if they wish, make the appointment on their behalf whilst you are with them. You could support with booking appointments on their behalf via the NHS website or by calling 119.

If residents have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, they can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.

British Sign Language videos about vaccinations are also available from Notts Deaf Society.

A familiar face and trusted voice is uniquely placed to have a conversation with those who are uncertain about vaccination and help them make an informed choice. We know this kind of discussion can be daunting and we hope to support you in approaching these conversations with some useful resources.

• Conversations are a key tool in improving vaccine uptake and confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.

• It’s not about being an expert, it’s about being willing to ask open questions, listening to and acknowledging concerns to build up trust and acting to identify appropriate next steps for the individual.

• Remember you are making a difference talking about the COVID-19 vaccine positively, even if the person doesn’t change their mind.

• You are not responsible for choices that other people make and are supporting them to make their own informed decisions

This flow chart summarises the guided conversations element of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire COVID-19 Vaccination Conversations Development Session.

Please find a mobile-friendly resource that summarises how to approach having an informed conversation about the COVID-19 vaccine and brings together key information and signposting links from this page. You can download the resource here.

• Make an appointment through the NHS Website or by calling 119
• Find a vaccination walk in centre through the NHS Website
• View the mobile vaccination schedule to see if there are any sessions planned near you

Book a free taxi to a vaccination centre (Nottingham City only) or help residents plan their journey using Traveline.

Anyone can walk in and chat with a registered healthcare professional with expertise in the Covid-19 vaccination without any obligation of getting a jab.

You can also visit our vaccination centres to chat with a doctor or nurse about the vaccine, with no expectation for you to have a vaccine whilst you are there.

We have a number of pharmacies and GP practices offering the jab. These can be booked onto via the NHS website or 119. You can find a list of the sites here.

For wider guidance on COVID-19 and measures you can take to stay safe, visit the Government website

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Information for pregnant women: COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding FAQs | RCOG

Official NHS leaflet on Covid-19 vaccination, pregnancy and breastfeeding: COVID-19 vaccination: women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Official NHS leaflet for young people about COVID vaccination (12-17 years): COVID-19 vaccination: resources for children and young people aged 12 to 17 years – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Official NHS leaflets for parents and schools about COVID vaccination: COVID-19 vaccination: resources for schools and parents – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A short film to support people with a learning disability and autistic people to get the Covid-19 vaccination, busting the myths, showing how easy it is to get your vaccination and top tips for staying safe.

• To access our series of COVID-19 video content in British Sign Language, please click here
• Braille versions of this information are available on request through contacting the Engagement Team at: nnccg.team.engagement@nhs.net or calling or texting 07385 360071.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered on this page, you may be able to find what you are looking for on the ICB frequently asked questions and information page.

There is a vaccines queries hotline for the public, covered by Nottinghamshire County Council – you can phone 0300 500 80 80 with any questions about vaccines (but you can’t book via this number).