17 March 2021

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Covid-19 vaccination programme

The next phase of the KEMH Covid-19 vaccination programme will begin on 23 March 2021. This is for people who received their first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at the beginning of the vaccination rollout between 8–12 February 2021.

Again, most vaccines will be administered to eligible people at the Stanley Vaccination Centre (FIDF Hall) next week. However, the West Falkland and Outer Islands rollout will take place in early April. If you live in Camp on East Falkland it would be very helpful if you could travel into Stanley as we will happily vaccinate you whenever the vaccination centre is open.

If you fit into any of the eligible categories and have previously declined to have the vaccination, but would like to reconsider, then we encourage you to attend any of the sessions next week to receive your first dose. If you would like to speak to a medical professional first, please contact the hospital on 28000 and you will receive a call back.

What should I expect on the day?

We are asking people to attend in age related groups – see below for timings. If you previously have had contact with the Community Support Team, or are aged 90 or over, then CST has already contacted you with the date, time and location of your vaccination.

For those being vaccinated at the FIDF Hall, entry will be via the front doors into the FIDF Club.  Here, your information will be retrieved from the system. You will then be taken into the FIDF Hall where we will have multiple vaccination stations set up. You will be vaccinated by one of the healthcare team, who has undergone appropriate training, and asked to wait for 15 minutes of observation afterwards. There will be marshals guiding you at each stage.

After you receive your second dose, you will be given your completed vaccination card which proves that you have been fully immunised – it is your responsibility to keep this record safe. You will be able to ask questions on the day, but please help us by looking at the FIG vaccination FAQs in advance as your query may well have already been answered. Please find these online by visiting: https://fig.gov.fk/covid-19/vaccinations/vaccine-faq

What is the plan for residents in Camp?

We are relying on East Falklands residents to come to Stanley for vaccination and these residents can come at any point during the times that the vaccination centre is open.

FIGAS is assisting us with delivering our vaccination programme on the West and Outer Islands. This is likely to take place in the week commencing 5 April. To allow visits to be as efficient as possible, vaccinations at the Outer Islands will be administered at airstrips. 

What can I expect after I have my vaccination?

Some people have a sore arm and experience slight flu-like symptoms for 24 hours following the vaccine. If this is the case then you can take paracetamol. If you feel more unwell or are concerned then you can phone KEMH on 28000 for further advice. Evidence suggests that the second vaccine causes fewer side effects in most people than the first.

What happens if I cannot attend my vaccination as I am unwell or in quarantine?

If you are unwell at the time you are due for your vaccination, you are not expected to turn up; you can come at another time that works for you. If you are in quarantine or unwell all week then we will be arranging some catch up vaccination slots, in batches of 10, after the main vaccination sessions. Please contact KEMH reception on 28000 if this applies to you so that we can book an alternative date for your vaccination.

What happens if I am on the West or on an island, rather than in Stanley for my vaccine?

If you look at the timings below and realise you will be on the West or the Outer Islands then please get in touch on 28036 (or 28000 and leave your details). 

I had my dose later in February or March – when will I be able to have my second dose?

If you were part of a group that had your dose later due to travel, quarantine, illness or other reasons, the hospital will contact you to confirm when your second dose will be.

What happens if I leave the Falklands before the second dose?

If you have had your first dose but find that you need to leave the Islands, please speak to KEMH to inform them of your travel plans, to agree the best solution for ensuring that you receive both doses of the vaccine – it may be that you receive your second dose in the UK.

What about the press stories about the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots?

People may have seen recent media stories linking the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to blood clots, and some countries have temporarily suspended the use of the vaccine.

However, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said the evidence does not suggest that the jab causes clots. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also said there is no reason to stop using it, stating: “There is no evidence that the incidents are caused by the vaccine and it is important that vaccination campaigns continue so that we can save lives and stem severe disease from the virus.”

Throughout the pandemic, KEMH has kept in regular contact with national health bodies, including Public Health England, to ensure that we are using the most up-to-date evidence and information and this remains the case during the continuing rollout of the KEMH vaccination programme.

Timings for FIDF Hall, Stanley

KEMH is pleased to invite patients from the categories listed below to come along for the second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The hospital would be grateful if East Falklands residents could make their way into Stanley for their second vaccination; this is an enormous help. 

Please only come during this week if you had your first dose of the vaccine between 8 and 12 February 2021 inclusive, or if you have not yet had your first dose and fall within the below categories.

The Community Support Team (CST) has already written to those who they will be assisting with the second dose of the vaccine.

Tuesday 23 March

80 – 89-year olds (unless already known to the CST):           9am – 10am

75 – 79-year olds (unless already known to the CST):           10am – 11am

70 – 74-year olds (unless already known to the CST):           11am – 12:30pm

65 – 69-year olds:                                                                   1:30pm – 4:30pm

Wednesday 24 March

60 – 64-year olds:                                                                   9am – 11:30am

Under 50-year olds, with underlying medical conditions:      11:30am – 1:30pm

56 – 59-year olds:                                                                   2pm – 5pm

Thursday 25 March

50 – 55-year olds, surname starting A-H inclusive:                 8:30am – noon

50 – 55-year olds, surname starting I-Z inclusive:                   1pm – 4:30pm

Friday 26 March

45 – 49-year olds and any other remaining individuals who received their first dose between 8–12 February:  9am – 12:30pm

Under 50-year olds with a qualifying occupation/identified carer: 1pm – 4pm                                                                                                                                           

People who received their first dose of the vaccine after 12 February will be advised in due course of the date for their second dose.

In order to cover as many patients on the West and Outer Islands at once (including those who received their first dose after 12 February), FIGAS will be bringing a vaccination team to these areas during the week commencing 5 April. This schedule will be announced soon but it will likely follow the format of the delivery of the first dose in early February.