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Original poster

I am so annoyed with my GP

128 replies

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:22

I've asked them twice if I could have a Covid jab this autumn, and they said point blank no. Last year, I had the jab in November. I'm 60+, have pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Guess what? I started to feel a bit shivery this morning and I now feel like I've got the flu coming on, so I did a test just to be on the safe side. Bright red positive. Damn - and I saw one of my friends yesterday evening, who is in the middle of chemotherapy.

I am so cross.

OP posts:
pinkdelight · 08/12/2023 16:27

Don't you sign up and book online if you're entitled to the jab on the nhs? My son gets it and we've never had to go via GP. It's all automated. If you're not in a qualifying category, you can pay for a jab, it's not that much and would've been worth it in your situation.

WhereIsBebèsChambre · 08/12/2023 16:30

I thought jab didn't stop you getting it, just less severe symptoms?

Spacecowboys · 08/12/2023 16:31

Sounds as though you aren’t eligible for a covid vaccine on the nhs, which isn’t the fault of your gp. It was never going to be financially viable for the vaccine to be free for everyone every year. They quite rightly need to prioritise older people and those who are immune suppressed/ clinically vulnerable.

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General health
Original poster
isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:34

Last year I got a text inviting me for both the covid booster and flu, and I've spoken to the surgery twice about having the boosters, and was told that pre-diabetes isn't diabetes so isn't on the at-risk list. How come I was allowed it last year then?

Earlier today, DH and I were talking about it, and we agreed I'd try again, and go private if necessary. Too bloody late now.

I'm worried I've given it to my friend.

OP posts:
LoveTheDarts · 08/12/2023 16:35

pinkdelight · 08/12/2023 16:27

Don't you sign up and book online if you're entitled to the jab on the nhs? My son gets it and we've never had to go via GP. It's all automated. If you're not in a qualifying category, you can pay for a jab, it's not that much and would've been worth it in your situation.

You can't pay for a covid jab. You have to be in one of the qualifying groups.

LoveTheDarts · 08/12/2023 16:37

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:34

Last year I got a text inviting me for both the covid booster and flu, and I've spoken to the surgery twice about having the boosters, and was told that pre-diabetes isn't diabetes so isn't on the at-risk list. How come I was allowed it last year then?

Earlier today, DH and I were talking about it, and we agreed I'd try again, and go private if necessary. Too bloody late now.

I'm worried I've given it to my friend.

They've massively reduced the list of eligible people. Only those eligible for antivirals fall into the vulnerable group now (or those that live with them)

TheGrimm · 08/12/2023 16:37

Just go into a pharmacy in future and sign you have a health need they never ask for proof get the Covid and flu at the same time.

Doubleespresso33 · 08/12/2023 16:38

You realise you can still catch and pass covid even if your jabbed?

Spacecowboys · 08/12/2023 16:39

Last autumn the eligibility was over 50’s. This year it is over 65’s ( I believe).

verrymerryberry · 08/12/2023 16:39

It's not your GPs fault if you give it to your clinically vulnerable friend.

You want the jab for the wrong reason.-So you can do as you please. that is not the point of giving it to those who are clinically vulnerable- it's to stop those people getting ill. As opposed to mass vaccinations to stop spread

Cheeseplantalltheway · 08/12/2023 16:40

Ah I'm sorry OP. I can understand why you are so concerned about your friend.

Eligibility has changed this year. Last year my husband was eligible (in his 50s) but he is not eligible this year.

Your GP practice doesn't have supplies of the vaccine for non eligible people.

CushionMountain · 08/12/2023 16:41

It's not your GP's fault. The eligibility criteria are set centrally and change with each round of boosters. When the criteria are announced each time, the surgery has to check It's records and see which of It's patients qualify.

SleepingisanArt · 08/12/2023 16:41

@isittimetoflounceyet Last year everything was different as everyone over 50 was included in the covid and flu jabs. This year they were not. I was invited for both because I'm included in 'at risk' but my husband wasn't because he isn't. My GP invited me for flu but the NHS contacted me about covid - I was able to have both together at my surgery.

Hbh17 · 08/12/2023 16:41

Last year was different - the jabs were offered to all.over 50s, inc people like me who haven't seen a doctor in years.
This year, for obvious reasons, jabs are only offered to people considered vulnerable. So it's good news that the OP was considered fit enough not to need it.
Just not a big deal, in any way.

DumpedByText · 08/12/2023 16:42

What difference would having the booster do though. It doesn't stop you catching or passing it on??

Movinghouseatlast · 08/12/2023 16:43

You can't 'go private' or pay for a Covid jab.

I want to pay for one. I've just recovered from Covid but I was in bed for 5 weeks, it was hell on earth.

When I last had it 18 months ago it was very mild as I had been vaccinated. Remember, the jab doesn't stop.you getting it it just decreases the symptoms.

The government have enough jabs for all of us but the administration of it is too expensive so they will all be thrown away. It makes me so angry. We should at least be able to choose if we want to risk getting very ill from Covid.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 08/12/2023 16:44

You weren’t eligible, so it was absolutely not the GP’s fault. You’re not unreasonable to be irritated though. Other countries have not taken such a restricted approach.

You also can’t pay for it yet, but I think you will be able to by next year.

MumblesParty · 08/12/2023 16:45

As others have said, the eligibility criteria were different this year. The last 2 boosters have only been for elderly or high risk categories. Previously all over 50s were entitled.
Did this not occur to you, or is it just easier to blame the GP?

overwhelmed2023 · 08/12/2023 16:45

I actually thought over 60 qualified but maybe not. Think you get a text if you do

Original poster
isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:46

Spacecowboys · 08/12/2023 16:31

Sounds as though you aren’t eligible for a covid vaccine on the nhs, which isn’t the fault of your gp. It was never going to be financially viable for the vaccine to be free for everyone every year. They quite rightly need to prioritise older people and those who are immune suppressed/ clinically vulnerable.

What - like me you mean? Over 60 and with several underlying health conditions?

OP posts:
Original poster
isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:47

LoveTheDarts · 08/12/2023 16:37

They've massively reduced the list of eligible people. Only those eligible for antivirals fall into the vulnerable group now (or those that live with them)

Show quote history

I'm married to someone in that category.

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 08/12/2023 16:47

Both my parents got it last year but only certain groups are getting it this year so my mum didn’t fit the bracket. She is over 60 but was told this year it’s 65.
I got mine a month ago but it’s automated so I don’t go through the gp.

Sadly the jab wouldn’t have prevented you from getting covid but may help with your symptoms. Hopefully you don’t feel too bad!

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 08/12/2023 16:48

DumpedByText · 08/12/2023 16:42

What difference would having the booster do though. It doesn't stop you catching or passing it on??

Why do people keep on saying this?

It’s not 100% effective. That doesn’t mean it’s ineffective.

It reduces the likelihood of being infected, and it reduces the likelihood of severe disease.

nocoolnamesleft · 08/12/2023 16:48

YABU to be cross at your GP. They didn't make the rules for inclusion criteria. Which are much tighter this year.