I booked for my husband to have his booster as soon as bookings went live and he went for it yesterday afternoon at a local pharmacy. No problems, no discussion of any kind - don’t think they knew whether he was there because he was entitled by age or weak immunity. Really pleased that he got the new spikevax. Then, as he was about to leave, they sent him into a second room and gave him the flu jab as well.
Only annoying thing was they wouldn’t give me either! He tried the ‘can my wife have hers as well’ - but it was a flat no because I hadn’t booked. (Because I’m 66 I was a week behind him in booking so I actually have mine today but at a centre about 8 miles away - and my flu jab is in about 10 days!). There was no queue, so it just seems slightly jobsworth that both vaccinators sat there twiddling their thumbs whilst I was sent away.
I attended my appointment yesterday as booked and the whole situation was bizarre. Whilst on Tuesday I was refused a drop in vaccine yesterday there was a separate queue for drop ins who did not have to wait as long as booked appointments! They were slipped in. Children were fast tracked once booked in. I had my letters and Covid access to antivirals letter plus Blood Cancer wrist band, nobody else was carrying letters. This did not alert anyone to alter the way they were doing things yesterday. I kept a distance in the queue to registration. There were then seats to be taken before going to the cubicle, these were set together with no spacing so I asked to sit at the end of the row where there was ample space and distance, this resulted in a quizzical look, a shrug and then I had to wait longer before going through as I had not put myself in the next place!!! Once at the cubicle it went smoothly. Plenty of questions about my status and medications then afterward through to a few socially distanced chairs for 15 minutes!!! My condition renders me immunocompromised anyway, however, since starting treatment this year my immunity is at rock bottom. I am extremely vulnerable and worse now than at the beginning when mitigation was in operation. I won’t be the only one. It is mentally exhausting and frustrating navigating a system that doesn’t allow us to feel safe although it would be relatively simple to operate. I will not be in a better situation in spring and possibly even next autumn, goodness knows what they will operate then. My flu jab is at the end of October but that operates as a 1 in 1 out at the GP surgery, very swiftly and masked.
@Lababe, thank you for the update and I am sorry it has been so challenging for you. Would you be able to tell me your diagnosis and treatment so I can add those details to our case studies that we are relaying to the NHS? You can directing email me if you would prefer. Thanks Gemma
well i had my 6th dose today at the small pharmacy i have been to for the last few. I took all sorts to prove i was due a vaccine but as they had logged it in the pat they didn’t need it. The only problem was no one had a mask on. Not the man on check in or the nurse doing the vaccines. The people before and after me were also unmasked. There was room to keep a good distance thank goodness but i was still very disappointed. Considering the vaccines at present are for the vulnerable and immunocompromised I don’t think this is good enough.
Hi @Lababe and @Chrispy sorry to hear your experiences.
The world has forgotten Covid precautions, even for Covid vaccines of the known vulnerable and with medical staff and in medical situations, I am afraid.
All we can do is to try and protect ourselves.
Take care both of you
Had my autumn booster today at local vaccine centre which is run by a group of 4 local GP surgeries. In contrast to the above experiences, everyone was wearing masks (also nice to see a sign at the front saying masks were compulsory) , just a short queue outside in the fresh air, and in each vaccination room the windows were wide open and nicely ventilated. I felt pretty safe throughout.
How wonderful! It shows it can be done too! Maybe your area could be rolled out as “best practice” so everyone can feel as safe as you have done. It is not difficult to achieve and should be done everywhere.
I got texts inviting me to book both my booster and my flu jab this week. Both coming up in the next few days and lots of availability. My part of the NHS doesn’t often get things right but they seem to have always been spot on with these things.
I booked my 6th Covid vaccination online on the NHS site. In Taunton, Somerset there was lots of choices, for days and times. I took along my evidence that I was immunosuppressed, mostly because I am not 70 yet, but wasn’t required to show it. My partner had his at the same time. Spikevax bivalent.
After having problems with third and fourth jab I booked on line to have my 5th at a village seven miles away I took everything with me but as soon as I got there it was all smoothly done didnt ask for any information so for my 6th I again booked at the same place
And had it done today again it was so easy it’s so worrying in case they refuse so I was so pleased it again went well Everyone had masks on so felt safe
I had the new vaccine so hope it’s all ok
I thought I’d add to the discussion from the Northern Ireland perspective. For all my previous five vaccinations I was contacted by letter and invited to book a vaccination. I haven’t received an invitation for my autumn booster yet but that may be due to me having had Covid in August and I think I have to wait 3 months post infection before I can get the vaccination.
On the issue of catching Covid, when I tested positive I was contacted by Health Trust within 12 hours and given the antibody treatment at our Covid specialist unit. Very impressed at how efficient everything was.
Just got back from having my autumn booster. Had absolutely no problems at the chemist. Looked up my NHS record just mentioned the 5 previous doses and gave me the Moderna.
All very well organised.
I had my 6th jab last Saturday.
My GP surgery held a clinic and all went very smoothly. They have been great throughout , I guess I’m very lucky.
I did find the after effects a bit worse this time, I have had a very upset stomach for a week but that’s a small price to pay really.
I didn’t connect this at first but I know someone who works at the surgery and they have said this has been a common response to the latest vaccine. I’m so sorry people are struggling to get what they need but hopefully this shows that sometimes things do go well.
Again I’m lucky I guess and very thankful.
Had vaccine number 6 today. I didnt recieve an invitation so i booked on the NHS app. It said to take a letter from the hospital confirming my blood cancer diagnosis but noone asked to see it. Was all very quick, done at Beverley race course. Vaccine was moderna. All the others have been Pfizer. Husband had his 5th at the ame time.
I booked my 5th direct on the NHS site as I never seem to get invitations from my GP. In the early days of Covid I was getting them direct from NHS, but since being diagnosed with blood cancer, I haven’t heard from anyone. I found out from this forum that I should be having a booster every 3 months, so I have done that for my 4th in July and now my 5th at the end of September. This forum is a wonderful resource for a country with an exhausted NHS, thank you all.
Yes Had mine plus Flu vaccination at GPs this weekend. A bit worried about both together especially as I was starting another cycle of Azacitidine on following Monday. Had 1 sore arm for a day but that was all.
