Covid-19 Vaccinations in Bicester

The GP practices in Bicester are working together to provide the COVID-19 Vaccination under the directions given to us by NHS England.

The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective and it takes a few weeks for your body to build up protection from the vaccine. Some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should lessen the severity of any infection. If you are currently pregnant, planning pregnancy in the next 2 months or breastfeeding please read the detailed information at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination

The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and two doses will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill.  Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects.  Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them.

Vaccinations are being carried out at the specially constructed Bicester Vaccination Centre, which is suitable for vaccinating a large number of patients safely and in a timely manner.  This also helps us to reduce the impact on our surgeries, but in undertaking the vaccination programme we may need to prioritise our services at certain times to urgent only cases.

When it's time for your vaccination you should go to Bicester Heritage SOUTH ENTRANCE  (cars enter via Skimmingdish Lane ONLY - further details below)

Please don't forget that you must wear a mask or face covering before entering through the fence gate, inside the Centre and while returning on the path to the exit.

Patients will be contacted by the practice to arrange their appointments.  Due to the rapid changing nature of the vaccination roll-out, this may be at short notice.

Patients will require 2 vaccinations that are between 8 and 12 weeks apart. You'll be informed of the date of your second vaccination when you are being booked in for the first OR if you're not informed of a date for the second jab then you can expect to receive a text just before it is available for you.  

When you attend for a SECOND DOSE vaccination it will take place on the date that you were advised and which is found on the appointment card you were given when attending for your first dose. Your appointment is at exactly the same time of day as your first appointment (unless we have advised you otherwise). OR if you're not informed of a date for the second jab when you're booked in for the first you can expect to receive a text just before the second one is available for you. 

Employers are expected to show appropriate flexibility to enable their workers to attend their vaccination appointments.

Unless we have requested it, you are asked NOT to contact the Practice to enquire about appointments or information on the vaccine being used.  Further information and links are below.

As you will appreciate, the urgent need to deliver COVID-19 Vaccinations means that our normal services may need to be altered or reduced at times. We continue to be grateful for your patience and understanding with this.  

Patient Prioritisation

The vaccine is being made available to patients in a prioritised order, which reflects the level of risk of serious complications should they get COVID-19.

The Centre is using both the Pzifer and Oxford Astra Zenica vaccines - which one you have will depend on our allocated vaccine on the day that you attend for your vaccination.

The current published Government’s priority for the vaccination is below.  Those highlighted in Green are the groups we are currently vaccinating

  1. residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
  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
  5. all those 65 years of age and over
  6. all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
  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. all those 40 to 49 
  11. all those 30 to 39
  12. all those 18 to 29

Where we are unable to fill the available appointments, those in the next group (which, if applicable, will be shown in Orange) may be contacted at short notice to have their vaccination.

If you are one of our registered patients aged 18 or above and seeking a vaccination then contact our surgery or book one (at a place other than the Bicester Heritage site) via the National Booking System which you can access if you click here. LATEST UPDATE ON 2nd JULY 2021: If you are already aged 18 or above and have not yet received or responded to our invitation to attend for a FIRST dose jab then please CALL THE SURGERY AS FIRST DOSE VACCINATIONS ENDED AT BICESTER HERITAGE  ON 1ST JULY 2021. The number to call is 01869 248585 (after 2pm only on any day please). SECOND DOSE VACCINATIONS CONTINUE AT BICESTER HERITAGE UNTIL THAT PHASE IS COMPLETED TOO.

Attending your vaccination appointment and what to expect

  • If you feel unwell on the day, have any of the COVID symptoms (high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) or you have been a close contact with a COVID positive case in the 14 days prior to vaccination, then please call your GP practice to advise and cancel the appointment. DO NOT ATTEND THE VACCINATION CENTRE as you will be putting other vulnerable patients and staff at risk.
  • On arrival at Bicester Heritage car parking area you will be directed to the building being used as the Vaccination Centre.
  • Please only arrive at Centre 5 /10 mins before appointment.
  • When you arrive at the venue, please enter via Skimmingdish Lane – there will be marshals on site to help direct you and manage the flow of traffic. Please follow their instructions.  Please see below for further instructions
  • Only the named patient will be able to enter the building unless you need a carer to assist you. Drivers / family members will need to remain in the car.
  • You must wear a mask or face covering inside the venue, unless you are medically exempt. This is to help protect you, the other vulnerable patients, and staff on site.
  • On arrival you will be checked in and be pre-screened with the COVID questions and clinically assessed to ensure that you are fit and well enough to be vaccinated.
  • Please wear a T-shirt or loose clothing with easy access to vaccinate your upper arm. Please keep bags/coats to a minimum.
  • You will be asked to stay for a 15 minute observation after your vaccination if you have driven to the site or you may be advised to wait for another reason.
  • It is possible that you may have some mild side effects from the vaccine and more information about side effects will be shared with you during your appointment.

How to find us

Our Vaccination Centre is at Bicester Heritage, Bicester 

Arriving by Car

Access is via the South Gate on Skimmingdish Lane.

See here for Google Maps Directions 

All vehicles must approach the entrance from the Buckingham Road Roundabout side  and TURN LEFT into the site.  On exiting TURN LEFT ONLY onto Skimmingdish Lane.

There is a patient dropping off point just inside the entrance.  (Please DO NOT drop off patients on the main road)

It is then a short walk (approx 150m) from the car park to the Vaccination Centre (VC) building.

Arriving by Foot/Cycle

If arriving by foot or cycle you should still enter via the South Gate entry point. You will need to carefully cross Skimmingdish Lane where the County Council has installed a temporary lights controlled crossing for the use of vaccination centre visitors.

Travelling to and from the Vaccination Centre by bus

The X5 bus service passes near to the Bicester Heritage site and the stop to request is the Caversfield Turn. The X5 service runs to and from Bicester Town Centre.

Vaccine Information

As information is changing constantly, for further information please visit the following websites

Most recent update of this page: 2nd July 2021

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Published: Dec 14, 2020