New vaccination centre opening on campus, book your vaccine today
Book your vaccinations
We’re pleased to let you know that we will be running a campus Covid-19 vaccination centre on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 June to offer students your first dose of the Pfizer BioNtech vaccine.
The vaccination centre, run in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and located in the marquee on the Green Heart (by the Teaching and Learning building) has capacity to vaccinate 2500 people in total over the two days and is part of the regional and national effort to increase capacity for vaccinations against the coronavirus.
By offering the service on campus at the end of the academic year, we are making it as easy as possible those of you eligible to get a first dose of the vaccine if you are still in Birmingham.
The majority of vaccines will be available via a bookable, appointment-based service, between 0800 to 1800 on both days to manage queues and waiting times. There will also be a walk-through offer in parallel with the bookings but there is likely to be a wait for this, therefore we recommend booking as the best way to be sure of your appointment time and getting your vaccine. You can book your appointment here.
To receive the vaccine, you will need:
• A face covering, unless you cannot wear one for a health or disability reason;
• Booking ID if you have booked an appointment;
• Student ID card;
• NHS Number.
It is expected that the whole process should take no more than 30 minutes (including the waiting time for observation after your vaccination).
International students can also get the vaccine and more information on this can be found on the booking page.
Wherever you are in the UK you can book a vaccination appointment via the NHS website.
Remember the Birmingham guidance
Along with the latest Government announcement last Monday, the city of Birmingham was also announced as an area identified for an enhanced response to tackle Covid. Fifteen wards across the city with the lowest vaccine take-up and highest Covid rates have been identified for surge vaccination and greater walk-in capacity at vaccination sites as part of the enhanced response. The 15 wards will also be offered doorstep lateral flow testing.
This also means that everyone living in the City of Birmingham should:
• Take extra care and meet people outside, rather than inside, wherever possible.
• Follow all the rules around social distancing, face coverings, washing hands, wiping surfaces and keeping windows open.
• Minimise travel into and out of the area and not take unnecessary journeys.
• Get your vaccination when it is offered to you (see above!).
• Take free twice-weekly tests (these are the lateral flow kits for people who do not have Covid symptoms) and test before you go home (see below). If positive, you must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test immediately to confirm the result – and keep using the test kits even after you have been vaccinated!
In addition Coronavirus restrictions remain in place across England meaning that you should still meet no more than 6 people (or 2 households) indoors.
Don’t forget to get tested before you go home
The Birmingham City Guidance also means that if you are leaving Birmingham for the summer vacation it is recommended that you take a PCR test three days before you to travel out of the City area.
You can book a FREE PCR test even if you have no symptoms, on the advice of Birmingham City Council Public Health Team.
There is a PCR test site on campus at the marquee outside the Sports & Fitness Centre. You can book your test here. You will be prompted: ‘Why are you asking for a test?’. Please answer: ‘I’ve been told to get a test by my local council, health protection team or healthcare professional / My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. Use the postcode B152TU and select a walk through appointment at University of Birmingham, South Gate Car Park.
You can also order a home test kit to be delivered via the post. If you test positive then you and your household must self-isolate immediately and please notify the University via this reporting form.
Thanks for your continued support in following the guidance. Whenever you are planning to return home (once tested!) have a good journey and enjoy catching up with your family and friends safely over the summer break.