WIBU to turn up to a vaccination appointment that isn't mine?

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Situation is that I keep getting vaccination appointment letters for two people who haven't lived at this address for many years, if they ever did (I've never heard of them).

I've tried ringing the cancellation line, but can never get through - you just get cut off, so it's not even a case of being on hold for ages.

I've tried returning the letters to sender with a note on the front - to no avail.

I tried calling the nearest GP - they were unable to help.

Every time these people are "no shows" at their vaccination appointment, they issue a new letter with a new date and time, so yet more appointments are wasted.

In the local press today there's a story about staff being "in tears" and vaccinations going to waste due to 'no shows'.

So, having tried and failed to tell them that these people no longer live here, WIBU to turn up at the correct appointment slot, explain and see if I can get jabbed?

@Viviennemary

Write on the envelope no longer at this address and put it in a post box

The OP said in their opening post that they'd done that but the letters still keep coming. It's the NHS we're talking about - not known for their administrative efficiency!

Staff at a makeshift vaccination centre are not going to be in a position to update the medical records of a person who is not present.

Don't waste their time

@UnderHisAye

Staff at a makeshift vaccination centre are not going to be in a position to update the medical records of a person who is not present.

Don't waste their time

^^ This x 100

When I got my vaccination, turn out was low and they absolutely were vaccinating extra people. It must depend on the vaccination centre.

I don't think it's worth the effort to be honest

The vaccine centre won't let you in unless your details match those in the appointment list

The only way you might wangle a spare dose is if you were there in the last half an hour or so and there were spares going

But generally there's a list of patients waiting to be called at short notice, staff who need jabs etc

Just return to sender

Yes, I would go with all the letters and show them. Great if you can get the vaccination too, I'd consider that a reward for trying to fix the problem.

Haven't read the full thread, but I would probably turn up and say that you have called the gp etc and they are not helpful and if this person's vaccination is going to waste you are happy to take it. Worth a try if you want the jab.

Looks like Vaccinations do get binned if not used

www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/covid-19-huge-queues-as-vaccine-centre-makes-social-media-shout-out-for-people-to-come-and-get-unused-jabs-12261968

@yeOldeTrout

more vaccine doses are binned

I'm not sure about that. Don't the letters ask them to confirm attendance?

My letter certainly didn't. Actually says not to contact them if you are going to the appointment, only call them if you are cancelling or rearranging.

I appreciate it doesn't acrually say on there that they will get binned but theremust be a reason why they put a notice on SM without sending out letters.

@Hullabaloo31

They're not appointments thought are they, just an invitation to book one. So what exactly are you going to turn up to?

This must depend on where you are. I'm In Scotland and the letter was an appointment letter, rather than an invitation to go and book an appointment.

YABU and you shouldn’t be opening their post.

Whenever someone opens to her people’s post it’s always “oh it was an accident I thought it was for me” Bullshit.

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages Did you not read the OP? I've tried returning it to sender, but the letters keep coming, more appointments are missed, and more vaccine doses are binned

This is not how it works 🙄🤪

Ah I see!

But if they're running a system where they send out random appointments that they don't know a person has even received, let alone can actually attend, then they must have a lot of no-shows and a plan in place already, surely!

[quote WaltzingTilda]Haven't read the full thread, but I would probably turn up and say that you have called the gp etc and they are not helpful and if this person's vaccination is going to waste you are happy to take it. Worth a try if you want the jab.

Looks like Vaccinations do get binned if not used

www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/covid-19-huge-queues-as-vaccine-centre-makes-social-media-shout-out-for-people-to-come-and-get-unused-jabs-12261968[/quote]
They don’t bin that specific vaccine dose if the person doesn’t turn up At end of day a vial may have one or a few doses left. They may be given if people are available (eg police or teachers called in) otherwise they cannot be stored safely

In Wales you get a letter with an appointment date time and location . It really gets my goat when people read threads and reply that the poster is wrong because it’s not how things work where they live or in their experience. Just because there is a different system where other posters live doesn’t mean the OP is actually incorrect.
It’s also being reported in some parts of Wales that there are a large number of no-shows for these appointments so I think it’s really important that the database is updated so that appointments aren’t wasted because contact information is out of date.

You shouldn't be open others post.
Vaccines will not be binned.
Do not go to the vaccine centre until asked and booked in. No one will appreciate you wasting time and getting in the way.
Vaccine centres are tightly run, the moment you say you haven't got a booked appointment you'll be asked to leave.
Just wait your time to be called.

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages

I wouldn't bother, as I doubt they will do it. But it's up to you.

I struggle to believe members of NHS staff are bursting into tears at the vaccines being wasted though! Sounds like bullshit to me.

@Hullabaloo31

Ah I see!

But if they're running a system where they send out random appointments that they don't know a person has even received, let alone can actually attend, then they must have a lot of no-shows and a plan in place already, surely!

You've got it! Especially when people in Scotland have getting appointment letters the day before their appointment and a few weeks ago it transpired that lots of letters for appointments the following week either hadn't been sent out or had gone AWOL on the way (I never did hear the verdict on that one). It's such an archaic system, especially now we're into the age groups who are more likely to be at work and have childcare responsibilities and will be less able to just to go at any time of day at short notice. Not to mention that some of the centres are drive thru and they don't know how has and hasn't got a car so that's another group who've had to reschedule!

There is nothing wrong with opening misaddressed post to try and work out what to do with it.

YABU. Sorry, but surely you shouldn't just turn up to someone else's appointment, regardless of the reason.

There is nothing wrong with opening misaddressed post to try and work out what to do with it.

That's a tad different from turning up to someone else's medical appointment, though.

OP, YWNBU to pop down to the vaccine centre, and if they're not too busy, ask if they can fit you in (assuming you're now eligible). But YWBU to turn up to someone else's medical appointment as it's not your appointment and the letter wasn't even addressed to you.

Can you not just go on the NHS website and book your own appointment?

Is it possible that you can go to the vaccination centre, and to go and speak to someone there. Better to speak in person ,instead of phoning anyone. You know how you will stand then,and get things sorted one way or the other.

Yes go along and just ask if there is any slots 🌸

@RampantIvy

I doubt that they are binning AZ vaccines. Storage for them isn't as critical.

Once the vaccine is made up (which will be before people start arriving) the shelf life is very limited. I think it's about 12 hours. So if it's not all used within one vaccination session then yes, it goes to waste.