AIBU to accept vaccine invite? (Not on priority list)

[PicardsFlute]

I’m 38. No underlying conditions. Not in any priority groups (that I’m aware of...). Last night I received a Covid vaccine invite by text, from the hospital where I had my baby five years ago - I’ve checked pretty thoroughly and it seems to be legit, but I’m utterly clueless as to why I’ve received it! I’m totally racking my brains but can’t think of anything besides a really bad chest infection a couple of years ago that I was prescribed an inhaler for... but that feels unlikely.

In the course of investigating whether it was a scam I went through the whole booking process and now have two appointments scheduled for both doses! I phoned my GP this morning and they’ve confirmed that I’m not on any priority lists - the receptionist was as confused as I am.

I also called the hospital number provided on the booking form, but the lady on the phone said she doesn’t have access to the reasons why invites have been sent - she did however say that if I have a valid invite then I’m eligible to use it... but it’s very weird, and feels all wrong.

So - what do I do?! I’m obviously v happy to be vaccinated when my turn comes, but it feels really unfair to be vaccinated ahead of others who need it more. On the other hand, I don’t want to be recorded as having declined the vaccine, now that I’ve accidentally booked via an official invite link!

AIBU to attend the appointments, or should I try and cancel them...? Help!

@MolotovMocktail

I don’t understand all this talk of people who are vulnerable still waiting for the vaccine. If you are in a vulnerable group you can book the vaccine online. It is extremely easy, nobody vulnerable should be waiting for a vaccine (in the UK).

Group 6 people cannot book online, being flagged for being a member of that group and invitation for jabs in England are being managed by their GP practice. So there are plenty of people in group 6 who are still waiting for an invite. (or more worryingly, have been miscoded by their GP practice, so don't know that their invite is not on the way).

@PicardsFlute I think I had my baby at the same hospital. Also had my invite by text last night. I was told they have capacity and are working through their list of recent patients in priority. I had a c-section and I know another male who had an operation there and was invited too. Did you have c-sections?

@WonderWomansPants Oh! That’s very interesting indeed - yes, emergency C section. That must be it! Thank you so much for solving the mystery!!

@PicardsFlute happy to help! I was scratching my head at first too. Very happy they have the capacity for us.

@TheVeryHungryTortoise Thank you so much for the insider info - really helpful! As you say, the invite came direct from the hospital rather than via my GP :)

I was same situation
just get it done

Glad it's clarified.

Is this about vaccinating parents first?

@PicardsFlute @WonderWomansPants my friend also had an emergency C section and has recently been invited for hers (St T's hospital if that makes any difference?).

@SuperDuperJezebel Snap! Must be the same list. Still very odd, mind! I guess they must have capacity from the hospital vaccine supply and are working through recent surgery patients on the basis that priority groups are being scheduled via GPs and it would add complexity to cross over. I can’t even begin to imagine how complicated it all must be to administer.

Just have it. We will all get it eventually.

@Cassilis It seems to be a list of recent surgery patients at a particular hospital, rather than parents (I believe). I’m assuming the hospital have taken the view that past surgery increases Covid risk in some way - but obviously, I don’t know that for certain.

[quote PicardsFlute]@SuperDuperJezebel Snap! Must be the same list. Still very odd, mind! I guess they must have capacity from the hospital vaccine supply and are working through recent surgery patients on the basis that priority groups are being scheduled via GPs and it would add complexity to cross over. I can’t even begin to imagine how complicated it all must be to administer.[/quote]
How long ago was yours? Hers was 4 years ago and I had a v difficult labour but no emcs a few weeks later, wondering if I'll get an invite too or if its only those who had a c section. Guess I'll find out!

@SuperDuperJezebel Five years ago. An earlier poster mentioned that a male friend who had been through surgery at the same hospital had also been invited, so it seems like it may be surgery/hospital treatment rather than pregnancy-related - but that’s obviously guesswork on my part, and other conditions may well feed into the prioritisation within that hospital list. The NHS moves in mysterious ways...

@picardsflute it does - I'll just have to be patient!