To call GP and ask this?

[flobberdobberr]

WIBU to call GP and ask politely if they could give me a ring if any spare vaccines left at the end of the day and say I could be there quickly.

Background
•I am not trying to cut in line or anything, I've just heard of this happening first hand.
•I'm in the clinically vulnerable category but not clinically extremely vulnerable. I don't think I would survive it due to my circs though.
• I don't want to come across as cheeky. But if vaccines are going to waste I'd rather I had one so my kids can go back to school without fear when they open.
• Having worked in GP surgeries before, I know that they will have lists printed off of who to call, but it might be hard to fill last minute gaps.

Genuine opinions because I'm probably just a bit desperate and won't call if it's really cheeky. Would just accept that I'm being a cheeky fucker and shouldn't be so selfish.

[ApolloandDaphne]

I wouldn't. I think they will be using spare vaccine to give to those on the priority list. I know my 80yo DM was called on Tuesday and told if she could get to the surgery that afternoon she could get the spare vaccine for that day, if not she would get an appointment for Friday.

[flobberdobberr]

It's nice to hear they are doing that Apollo. That's enough clarification for me to know they aren't going spare and people that need them are being called up. Cheers

[Cheesypea]

I think if you call up and say I can be at the surgery in x minutes, as a back up if they have any cancellations? it would be ok??? Better still do you have any routine appointments where you can bring up the subject?

[sofiaaaaaa]

Honestly I think other people would be seen as a higher priority so it’s likely to be a “hell no” response

[Cheesypea]

Oh ok

[Cheesypea]

Yes you could be put firmly in your place.

[smoothchange]

No. They have enough people to deal with phoning needlessly right now. It's taking time away from the admin staff that they desperately need to get things organised for the people next in line. They will already have plans for any leftover vaccines, they don't need random people to offer to take it off their hands.

[RuthW]

Please don't. We are fed up with people ringing. In the very rare event we have a dose spare, patients from the same group or next group are rung. It's well planned though so barely happens.

[GoodbyeH]

No harm in asking. The worst they will say to you is No. So it's worth a shot if you really want it. I can't say if they would do it or not but you can always ask!

[Thisyearcandoone]

I know loads of people having spares in my local area, not what you know it's who you know!

[Etinox]

Send a v short letter with your name NHS number and phone number and how quickly you can get there. That way you’re not clogging up the phone lines.

[Minnie16889]

My surgery have an automated message telling people NOT TO call up about the covid vaccine, they will call people as and when they are due it

I can imagine doctor surgeries increasingly frustrated with people calling to ask if they can he considered, you will be 1 of hundreds calling to ask the same thing.

[FoxtrotSkarloey]

YABU, they already have reserve lists.

[AnnaSW1]

Ours has sent out a text to all patients specifically saying not to call them about this

[OscarWildesCat]

YABU

[Rosebud21]

YABU

[cinammonbuns]

I called the gp for something else and they have a recorded message saying to stop calling them about vaccines. They hopefully are not going to waste as they’re ill call those in the priority groups up

[sofiaaaaaa]

Yes, I would assume they have a system in place for no-show appointments, presumably they’ll continue working down the current list they have with the grouping priority system. If you’re in a high priority group it may be okay, but if you’re not they may not be able to accommodate you just yet

[mynameiscalypso]

My dad had his last week and was chatting to the GP who gave it - she said they hadn't wasted a single vaccine yet and didn't know any other surgeries who had. They have generally thought it all through and planned well so they're not waiting for people to ring them up on the off chance.

[Changeisneeded]

I work for a trust that had an supply of vaccine that was going to go to waste and they offered them out to people in category 1-9 a few hours later they put up an email apologising and explaining that the injections can only be offered to those who are over 70 or extremely clinically vulnerable so whilst I think it does happen they are trying to focus it on to the priority groups

[Shrivelled]

Would just accept that I'm being a cheeky fucker and shouldn't be so selfish.

Yes that. I’m high risk with a serious underlying health condition (not CEV) and wouldn’t dream of doing what you’re suggesting. Just wait your turn to be called like everyone else. If GPs want to call and offer the vaccine to someone at the end of the day then they have a whole database of patients and their contact details to hand.

[Toddlerteaplease]

No. Why are you more important than anyone else who is CEV?

[MrDarcysMa]

[Shrivelled]

My GPs answerphone explicitly asks patients not to call asking for the vaccine as it‘s wasting so much of their time. Pretty much everyone in the top high priority groups are at home waiting for the vaccine now and the GPs have their phone numbers to hand. Seriously just wait your turn.