To think that the over 80’s Covid Vaccine is slow to materialise?

[Mincepie5]

I phoned the GP who signposted me to the local health board who signposted me to the GP again. No one seemed to know anything about a vaccination programme. I have emailed the local government and had a reply to thank me for my email that will usually be responded to in 15 days! Anyone in South Wales Aneurin Bevan area know what is going on with regards to this?

@DougRossIsTheBoss

Chutney I'm sorry your mum didn't get it in the first wave but a random pick of names within the risk category seems as fair as anything.

I mean if there are more people than doses then what else should they do? Alphabetical is hardly fair. Working out an order of vulnerability would take ages. I'd probably rather it was random than cronyism or who shouts loudest.

Age order, surely? It'd still seem a bit arbitrary to the oldest person who was too young to get the first batch, but it seems better than purely random which means an 81 year old might get it and a 99 year old not?

Names of all over 80’s were put in a random generator program in computer and hers didn’t come out. So it’s not really based on over 80 + how vulnerable/old it’s a simple lottery. I’m still processing this as it seems a bit weird.

Where would the manpower come from to come up with a way of ordering people based of different factors?

@Porcupineinwaiting

YABU. It's been 2 weeks.

Not even.

The first jab was given on 8th December, that's only 9 days ago.

My parents both in their 80s live in the Cwm Taff Board. I have real concerns that they'll get it before the end of next year.

DPs both due to get it at the weekend (in their 80s in Hampshire).

Re the 91 year old it was a bit different in London as the vaccine went to several hospitals first and they sent out letters to say if you want it call us. GPs are about to roll it out at vaccine clinics usually one per group of surgeries.

My parents had theirs earlier this week (Herts). A little fortunate that my mum eventually noticed they'd texted her, my dad never received an invite but was eligible when my mum called the surgery to book hers.

I think the challenge for the surgery was to make sure they had available slots three weeks later for the second injection, at first my parents couldn't book one as there was availability for the first jab but not the second.

I'm really pleased they've received their vaccinations, it's a big relief.

I should add they're 80 and 86 but not classified as medically vulnerable beyond their age.

Age order doesn't make sense either I'm afraid. Many 90 yr olds are fitter and paradoxically have longer life expectancy that 80yr olds because of the 'survivor effect' ie if you live into your 90s you likely are blessed with good genes/ lifestyle

Random selection within the age band is a reasonable strategy no more flawed than any other

All I can say is when I saw the stats celebrating 130,000 people having had the first stage of vaccination, I thought the numbers for Wales looked very low.

@Chutneymaura

Rang surgery for my 95 year old mum today. Apparently they’ve used all their first batch vaccines now do she won’t get called till the new year. Names of all over 80’s were put in a random generator program in computer and hers didn’t come out. So it’s not really based on over 80 + how vulnerable/old it’s a simple lottery. I’m still processing this as it seems a bit weird.

How much time do you think it would take to review all 80 + people and their long term health conditions to work out a priority order?

Greater Manchester here, clinics being held over the weekend to get through people as fast as they can. Massive amount of extra hours being done by medical and admin staff and volunteers to get through it. We’re specifically being told not to chase, wait your turn so on that count YABVU.

My 89 year old father is having his forst vaccine dose this Saturday and the 2nd dose 9th January. He was phoned by whichever department is organising it round here. They seem to have designated some surgeries as vaccination hubs.

Great to hear all these people who's family and neighbours have had theirs or have an appointment. Can't wait for 87 year old MIL to have hers - we've not seen her since the summer (then only outside) and DH is dying to visit. This gives me hope that she'll be getting hers soon

My dad is 85 and has underlying health conditions, he has shielded throughout and is continuing to do so. We are in London, Tier 3.

According to my GP's website, they started vaccination clinics yesterday but they are not doing it at the surgery, it is at a church hall location that will take two bus journeys and a not insignificant walk to get to.

I'm disappointed tbh, this is a large surgery that offers many services including minor surgery, diabetic clinic, respiratory clinic and on site blood tests. It also has a large amount of elderly patients that are going to find it very difficult, if not impossible to make this journey given the current Tier 3 status and the fact that these are people who are being offered the vaccine for the sole purpose of PROTECTING THEM!

@Mincepie5

My father is 83 should be regarded as a priority. It doesn’t seem that way though.

Why does he take priority over all the other 80+ year olds? Wait your turn. It will come.

And don't call the GP, you'll block the line for someone who needs medical attention.

DM is 80, she's been contacted today and due to have it bis home visit by community practice nurse. Not sure when they just said she'll be contacted in the next week.

I just read in the Guardian that 108000 in England have had the vaccine in the first week, 18000 people in Scotland and 7897 in Wales.

It's going to be a while ramping up - they can't go fron 0-100mp in one week and coverage will be very uneven a the first few months I imagine. Even with a competent government I'd expect it to take a while to get to full capability.

86 in our family got the call yesterday...

Nothing yet for my elderly parents in their late 80s with health problems. North Yorkshire.

@DougRossIsTheBoss

Age order doesn't make sense either I'm afraid. Many 90 yr olds are fitter and paradoxically have longer life expectancy that 80yr olds because of the 'survivor effect' ie if you live into your 90s you likely are blessed with good genes/ lifestyle

Random selection within the age band is a reasonable strategy no more flawed than any other

Are you sure that's true even for Covid outcomes? I looked it up and it looks like chances of death are significantly higher at 90 than 80, but the only information I could find was from April so perhaps that's no longer thought to be true?

Catmads would you not move he'll and high water to get him wherever if it's offered? Or indeed get him a taxi. I know I would if it were my dad.

My 87 year old Dad had a text from his surgery last Saturday afternoon asking him to respond ASAP if he wanted the vaccine so that an appointment time could be arranged. I went to help him out with it as it was a bit of a faff for someone who isn’t very good with technology.
He’s not heard anything in reply yet though.

My 85 year old mother is registered at a different surgery and so far hasn’t been contacted.

The vaccine has just been released you need to be a bit patient.

To be honest the real issue is how it's being issued. There are more vulnerable people than the over 80s who have more need for protection (for example because they're children can't otherwise go to school) who aren't being prioritised.

People have mentioned here and elsewhere that they can't wait for elderly relatives to be vaccinated so they can see them - I'm not saying this in a judgemental way, I'd go and see them too, but legally presumably you'll still only be able to do so in the ways allowed by your/their tier?