Vaccination at GPs’ surgeries

If you are interested in getting vaccinated by a general practitioner, discuss your options directly with them. In such a case you should not register via the Central Reservation System at registrace.mzcr.cz.

Who do general practitioners vaccinate?

1

Criterion

patients older than 14

Patients under 14 can only be vaccinated by a paediatrician or it is possible to register them at selected vaccination centres. You can find the list of these on the web page uzis.cz under the heading ” Children (5 – 15 years)”.

TIP

If a patient has registered for vaccination through the Central Reservation System, i.e. via registrace.mzcr.cz, they cannot also be registered with a general practitioner!

2

Criterion If the patient fulfils the condition of Criterion 1

primarily patients registered with the general practitioner (GP) as a provider of primary care, i.e. their own registered patients

As of 1 May 2021, it is possible for a GP to also vaccinate patients for whom they are not the registered provider. This possibility streamlines vaccination – general practitioners can arrange among themselves for the vaccination of patients (e.g. those in higher age categories waiting for their own GP who does not yet have vaccines available and is not providing vaccinations). At the same time it allows for the use of vaccine doses a GP has at their disposal but who does not have any of their own patients that are interested.

patients who have not yet been vaccinated elsewhere

immobile patients who cannot get to a vaccination centre, as part of house call services

What vaccines do general practitioners use??

General practitioners (GPs) currently vaccinate with the vaccines Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna) and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

For second doses, the same vaccine as the first dose is primarily chosen; if it is unavailable, any mRNA vaccine can be used (Spikevax or Comirnaty). The interval for administration of the second dose is 22–43 days after application of the first dose for Spikevax (Moderna) and 19–42 days for Comirnaty (Pfizer). If the second dose is administered later for any reason, it is not a problem. Even in such a case, a certificate will be generated and the vaccination will be effective and valid. Only a single dose of vaccine is not however sufficiently effective. We therefore recommend completing the vaccination process as soon as possible.

Booster shots are recommended for all those for whom it has been 5 months (2 months for Janssen) since completion of the basic vaccination scheme and for whom a booster shot has been approved (currently for those over 12). A booster is particularly recommended for people over 50 years of age and persons with a high risk of infection or a severe case.

Once this period had elapsed, a text message or e-mail will be sent out to alert patients of the opportunity to receive a booster.

High-risk groups include those in long-term inpatient care or old-age homes, as well as the chronically ill who are at risk of a severe case of COVID-19, health professionals and social workers. Re-vaccination is also recommended for persons with weakened immune systems. This could be patients on cancer treatment, those who have had an organ or stem cell transplant, and so forth. Such people can come receive a third dose just four weeks after completing vaccination.

Any of the mRNA vaccines can be used (Spikevax or Comirnaty). For a booster shot of Spikevax, a half dosage is used (0.25 ml = 50 micrograms) compared to the first and second doses. An additional vaccine dose (a third dose sooner than 5 months from the second dose) can be administered for persons with severely reduced immune systems – consult your doctor for their recommendation – by a specialist or your general practitioner (this concerns e.g. transplant patients, those on long-term immunosuppressive therapy, in cancer treatment, etc.).

Starting 15 February 2022, the validity of the Vaccination Certificate for all those over 18 years of age is being reduced to 270 days (9 months) from the start of validity of the certificate on vaccination under the basic scheme! In order to extend the validity it is necessary to have a booster shot administered, otherwise the certificate will cease to be valid after nine months. After a booster shot has been provided, the validity of the certificate shall automatically be extended for, at present, an indefinite period.

How do people interested in getting vaccinated register with a general practitioner?

General practitioners vaccinate patients who express an interest in being vaccinated and patients whom the GPs actively call upon to be vaccinated because they fall into any of the appropriate categories according to the priorities set by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. In view of the need to monitor the progress of covid-19 vaccination, it is desirable that general practitioners enter all patients who have expressed an interest in vaccination into the Vaccination List in the Infectious Disease Information System ISIN OČKO.

How does registration work for those interested in getting vaccinated by a GP?

Individual doctor’s offices make vaccination appointments using their own systems – it is necessary to contact your general practitioner. It is always necessary to make a vaccination appointment and if possible stick to it – application is always tied to the number of doses the doctor has at their disposal for that day.

How do vaccination orders for GP offices work?

General practitioners order vaccines from a joint distributor (the company Avenier), which delivers them to doctor’s offices as needed every week on the office’s delivery day. This currently allows medical practitioners to make ongoing appointments for patients to vaccinate them against COVID-19.

*Diagnoses and states of health with a high risk of a serious case of Covid-19

For these persons it is particularly important they get their basic vaccination early and a booster shot as soon as it is possible!

Haematology-oncology patients outside the intensive therapy interval; haematology patients with an immunodeficiency (innate, acquired or therapy-induced) or with significant thrombophilia. The vaccinating physician or specialist haematologist decides on the suitability of the vaccination.

Patients with solid tumours who are undergoing anticancer treatment or have it planned or whose treatment ended less than 12 months previously. It is advisable for oncology patients to seek a recommendation from their oncologist with regard to Covid-19 vaccination.

Serious acute or long-term heart disease (the patient is under the care of a specialised outpatient unit, for example, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, valve defects, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary circulation disease or conditions after pulmonary embolisms).

Serious long-term pulmonary illnesses (the patient is under the care of a specialised outpatient unit or is being treated with the administration of oxygen at home).

Patients with diabetes treated with insulin or orally administered PAD antidiabetic medicines.

People with obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m²).

People with high blood pressure treated with two or more medicines.

Patients with any other serious illnesses that increase the risk of the occurrence of a severe case of Covid-19 on the basis of a clinical decision reached by the attending physician and/or general practitioner. Patients under the care of specialist units should request the unit’s recommendation for a Covid-19 vaccination.