To be slightly cheered by everything about the vaccine process

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Everything from the science that got us here in the first place,
the booking system-straightforward and I didn’t have to prove I wasn’t a robot 5 times (unlike when booking a test!),
the fact that they are galloping through the categories
and especially the volunteers at the hubs. Cheery, efficient, reassuring.
Brilliant. Well done everyone involved.

@Iknowwhatudidlastsummer I think the scientists behind the various vaccines deserve all the gushing and praise tbh considering what they’ve managed to do in such a short space of time.
Nobody here has suggested it’s a magic bullet or a cure all but go ahead, enjoy being negative and miserable! I just wish people wouldn’t try to bring down positive threads with their perceived superiority about the situation.

Great post OP.
The vaccine roll out does seem to be going well, my auntie is a volunteer. It’s still going to be a long road but the fact that we can see results is heartening. Let’s hope the new variants don’t cause too much chaos and the fact that tweaks to vaccines and boosters are being worked on will make a difference too.

@Pukkatea

It's a benefit of having the NHS, which is built in a way to make it perfect for such a rollout, compared to say the US where nothing is centralised. I dislike that the Serco shambles test and trace got the label 'NHS' but the government is taking the credit for the vaccine program, which actually IS being done by the NHS.

I was going to post something similar, @Pukkatea, but you put it much more succinctly than I could.

I had my first vaccination nearly 3 weeks ago. I was surprised that people in my role were included, tbh, as we're all WFH and not seeing clients F2F. It was incredibly well organised, all the staff were cheerful and helpful and no-one moaned about the wait, which was about 40 minutes. Quite the opposite, in fact, people were chatting away while waiting.

My only slight gripe was that I couldn't get a slot at any of the 4 hospitals within 15 miles, and had to drive 32 miles, but it was a pleasant cross-country drive and the furthest I've been from home in ages, so I even enjoyed the journey.

I think it's going really well, and am quite looking forward to my trip to the far side of the county for my second shot in 5 weeks' time. I take my hat off to everyone involved, they've done a fantastic job.

@Iknowwhatudidlastsummer

You can also ignore the foreign press and foreign analyses from foreign experts and stick to our good old DM and stay cheerful.

Makes life easier I suppose, we are doing SO great indeed.

I don’t read the DM. I’m talking purely from my own experience and that of people I know. Well aware this isn’t a magic ticket out, especially if other countries aren’t having such a good experience. But let’s face it-not much else is going well right now so let’s be grateful for what is.

I'm working at the big new centre at Westfield in Stratford...and I've rarely been so proud at work. It was set up virtually overnight and it's running like clockwork. There have been no queues and everyone is so happy and grateful to be receiving it.

Gawd bless the NHS. Thank god they didn't outsource it to Serco or whoever.

@GintyMcGinty

It's a shambles where I am. (Scotland, Fife)

They are way behind.
They've massively overbooked and are now sending out cancellations
People have been standing in queues for 3-4 hours.
Then turned away cause they've run out.

So jealous of England just now.

I am also in Fife and completely agree with this. Particularly with the horrific snow we currently have.

@ThePluckOfTheCoward

This is very timely as I got a call yesterday afternoon offering me a Covid jab today. I am mid sixties and wasn't expecting to get the vaccination for a few weeks yet (in Kent) so was very pleased to be offered the chance for my first jab. I have been feeling a bit down the last month, missing human contact and this has really lifted my spirits.

I'm back home after having my jab and it very well organised and cheerful. I'm so grateful and feeling a bit more optimistic today.

Kent seems to be quick

My dad was done beg jan

Fiancé a week ago

Me this week

They were fab when I had mine
My joy is just because in maybe 3/4 weeks time I might be able to go to the shops and get my own food, or milk when I run out
That's all I want!

Totally agree, have taken family members for the vaccination, can’t thank the volunteers enough for their help. So cheerful, so helpful. In and out in 20 minutes ( including the 15 min wait after)

@Thesaltandthesea

If it was just the snow I'd forgive them but the problems are far, far deeper and they've learned nothing since they made a pigs breakfast of the flu vaccinations before xmas.

Our bad luck to be in the 3rd worst health board in the worst performing nation eh.

I've had my first jab. It was very efficient and the marshals and nurses were very cheery though it's clear they are working long hours. It was an emotional experience!!

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

Even the WHO have said the 12 week gap looks like the right call. Which is good to hear.

...and what on earth does Roger Daltrey know about immunisation?

It’s the first thing I’ve felt has been well done all along and it is giving me some positivity. I wish they were doing the second dose on the schedule of the research though

YANBU
IF you live in England.... otherwise YABU

You can't have everything. The 12 week interval will allow more people to have a degree of protection
It is the right decision from a population perspective, even though individuals might personally want something different. It is the only way out of the mess that we find ourselves in.

@mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork

What is depressing is that, in my area at least (outer NE London), they seem to have plenty of spare appointments as people are either not booking or cancelling (I assume). I am 66 and got a text today to invite me to book an appointment. I went online and found I was offered tomorrow morning and every appt slot was available! My sister went a week ago (same vaccine venue) and there was no queue, only a few people being vaccinated and lots of idle vaccinators. I am beginning to wonder if enough people will be vaccinated in the end to make the difference required for us to resume some form of normal life/work.

In NW London there's no queues, no noticeable spaces, no waiting. All working well. When you get the text, the spaces available are very soon but I assumed that's efficiency?

ViciousJackdaw

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

Even the WHO have said the 12 week gap looks like the right call. Which is good to hear.

...and what on earth does Roger Daltrey know about immunisation?

It is an official recommendation by WHO not any individuals decision or opinion. They are recommending a gap between 8 to 12 weeks

Agreed, OP. Dh and I had ours on different days - fantastically well organised both times.

@elastamum

You can't have everything. The 12 week interval will allow more people to have a degree of protection It is the right decision from a population perspective, even though individuals might personally want something different. It is the only way out of the mess that we find ourselves in.

You are right in the overall reasoning for the decision. Though with AZ they have found it is more effective with a longer gap before second dose. So a bit of a win win situation. The new data will be available soon. However they did have small group data of this before the 12 week schedule was announced.

@Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

ViciousJackdaw

Truelymadlydeeplysomeonesmum

Even the WHO have said the 12 week gap looks like the right call. Which is good to hear.

...and what on earth does Roger Daltrey know about immunisation?

It is an official recommendation by WHO not any individuals decision or opinion. They are recommending a gap between 8 to 12 weeks

Roger Daltrey is lead singer of the band, The Who. The PP was joking (I hope )

What a lovely post OP.
Thank you.I am 70 and had mine today.It was flawless, very well organised.I waited 3 minutes to be seen to.
I can honestly say i didn't feel a thing.I asked her when she was going to give me the vaccine !
I am so grateful to the scientists, Doctors and the NHS.
Please have the vaccine and help us get out of this awful pandemic

Roger Daltrey is lead singer of the band, The Who. The PP was joking (I hope smile)

Sorry I am old enough to know that too

In Greater Manchester. I had mine last week and was amazed that they're onto the 65 and over category already! 20 minutes walk from home and the whole event ran quickly and efficiently. Everyone involved was so cheerful. It was busy even at the end of the day. A doctor was on hand to answer any questions in the 15 minute waiting area.

Great thread. So happy about what a great job is being done, can't wait for my turn (but might be a while as under 50 - just) x