Should I just book a Covid booster even though I’m not due one?

[TattiePants]

For weeks I’ve been receiving texts telling me to book my autumn booster. I’m not 50, no medical conditions, job not relevant, not a carer etc. About a month ago after receiving yet another text, I called my GP to ask why I was getting them. Two people checked over my records and confirmed there was no medical reason for the text and the texts weren’t coming from the GP.

Since then I’ve had more texts, emails and now a letter inviting me for a booster. Someone somewhere really wants me to have it so do I just go ahead and book it? I’ll book online but when I turn up at the vaccination centre will I be asked for proof?

They ask for your date of birth but that’s probably just to verify it’s the person on the list.
Can you block the texts? Is it that you feel hassled or you want the injection?

At my vaccination centre you would be asked why, at under 50, you qualify for a booster. If you didn’t have a valid reason ie clinically at risk or sharing a household with somebody immunosuppressed for instance, you would be refused a vaccine.

I can just ignore the texts but I’m happy to have the booster if I can. @AppleDumplingWithCustard how much detail do they ask? If I said medical reasons would they ask for further details?

Well I can’t speak for all vaccine centres but certainly at ours we would ask further questions about the precise nature of the medical or social condition/circumstance that made you eligible.

If you want it, I’d just take the letter with the invitation to book to the appointment. I don’t think the booking system allows you to book unless you are eligible, so if you are able to book and have the letter, I’d just go.

I had my jab yesterday and I was quizzed about my medical condition to make sure I was eligible.

Same as the one where I volunteer.

I was just asked why I’d been invited as under 50, I just said carer but they didn’t ask anything else. So I spose I could easily have been fibbing

Tbh whether you get it or not could depend on how much vaccine they've got. If earlier appointments haven't turned up they won't want to waste it.

I’m in a similar position.

I’m not entirely sure why I’m being invited for a vaccine. I’m reluctant to waste my GP’s time by ringing them up and asking if they know why I should have one.

It does say on the letter I’ve received that it can help to bring the letter telling me to get a vaccine along to the vaccination appointment, so I suppose I’ll do that if I do try booking an appointment.

Just book it if you want to have it. I had the same issue. My letters / texts / emails all said that due to a medical condition that made me more vulnerable i was eligible. I'm not aware of one at all. I called my GP because I was a bit worried about a condition I might have that I don't know about and they told me (after I was on hold for AGES) they didn't have time to check! So I made an appointment, took the letter and told the vax centre the full truth and they gave me it.

Just book it if you want it. Keep some of the texts inviting you, and the letters, and take them with you when you go.

@Pleasepleasepleaseno fortunately my GP surgery spent the time checking my records but like you, I was worried something had been added to my records that I hadn’t been told. I’ve booked a slot for tomorrow am so will take the letter along just in case. I’ve avoided Covid this long, fingers crossed I can avoid it for a bit longer!

I have cancer so qualify for additional Covid jabs. I have no hair at the moment so it’s pretty obvious but even when I had hair I’ve never been asked anything about why I qualify. I’m under 50.

.@TattiePants what happened when you went to the vaccination centre? We’re you asked for proof? I’m in a similar circumstance.

@trrk I was asked why I was having it and I just said due to medical reasons and I wasn't asked anything else. I had taken the letter along with me just in case.