Recording a vaccine received elsewhere on my GP records and NHS app

We have received a high number of requests to enter details of a COVID vaccine onto our patients’ GP records and the NHS app.  We appreciate that this is a confusing situation.  Unfortunately, there is some conflicting information about this both in the media and within other parts of the NHS.  Currently, it is not possible for us to record details of COVID vaccines in such a way that it will appear on the NHS app.  The vaccine information which appears on the NHS App is taken from the IT systems used in the vaccine centres around the country, not a patient’s GP records.  

Vaccines received in the UK

If you have had a vaccine in the UK, but it is not showing on the NHS App, it’s likely that there has been some kind of problem at the vaccine clinic.  Either it was not entered correctly onto the IT system, or the IT system has failed to upload it onto the NHS App.  If you are in this situation, please contact the centre where you received your COVID vaccine and give them your full name, date of birth, NHS number and any details you have of your vaccine (a photo of the vaccine card would be ideal).  

If your vaccine record is missing information or is wrong:

1. Call 119.
2. Select option 1 (England).
3. Select option 4 (To report an issue with your COVID vaccination record).
4. Ask to speak to the Vaccination Data Resolution Service (VDRS). You should get a call back within 21 days.

Vaccines received outside the UK

If you received either one or both of your vaccine doses outside of the UK, we can enter this onto your GP record.  It would be useful for us to have this information on your health records, and you can send it to us by submitting an E-consultation asking for administrative help on our website.  You can attach a photo of any documents you have relating to the vaccine (including the manufacturer and the date it was given).  However, at present, this information will not appear on the NHS app.  This may change but that would require changes to the NHS App and it is outside of our control here at North Road West.  In order to provide evidence that you have had a vaccine abroad (for example, to an employer), you will need to show whatever proof you have from the country where you had the vaccine.

There is now a way to update the NHS app with Vaccines received outside of the UK. There is a service which allows you to book an appointment to show evidence for any coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had outside of England. This is so the NHS can securely update your vaccination record. The service is available for booking in Devon via the link below and is available at Greendale Vaccination Centre, Exeter.

 The criteria is as follows:

 are aged 18 years old or over

• have an NHS number
• have received one of these MHRA-approved vaccines outside of England - Oxford/AstraZeneca (Vaxzevira), Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty), Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) or Moderna (Spikevax)

Appointments can be booked via;

Tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had abroad - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

While many restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 has not gone away so it's important we remain cautious. By practising key behaviours we can continue to protect ourselves and others and help stop the virus spreading.

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from: 

• the NHS App which you can download from app stores 

• the NHS website 

• 119 - by requesting a paper letter

You will need to register to use the online services, if you have not already. It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified.

If you cannot access the online services, and you have had both doses of the vaccine, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel outside the UK in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take up to 7 working days for the letter to arrive.

This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status. Please do not contact the practice about your COVID-19 vaccination status unless you have been advised to by the 119 service.

When you're planning your travel, you should check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is enough time to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status before you are due to travel.

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