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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have booked a vaccine a 2.5 hour journey away?

31 replies

VaccineRelatedArrrrrgh · 27/04/2021 16:27

Long backstory, but essentially I have been shifted repeatedly between priority groups due to unusual medical situation, was told I could book, kept getting the "computer says no".

Today I finally managed to access the booking system, and the only appointment they could offer my postcode in the next week was 60 miles away - on public transport this will take me two and a half hours each way, because said medical issues prevent me from driving. I took the slot because I feared that, if I hadnt, the whole system would glitch and eject me again.

I can afford the bus and train journeys and manage the walk the other end, but am now doubting myself - am I putting myself at MORE risk through undertaking such a long journey?

YABU Yes you were being paranoid, melodramatic and impatient, and are risking Covid from the journey and the side-effects hitting you on the journey home.

YANBU It will be nice to get out for a day after so long. You will be fine, and will feel calmer once vaccinated

OP posts:
LittleOwl153 · 27/04/2021 16:39

How old are you? Wondering how long it will be before you hit the right age category.
Seems odd as I booked a next day appointment this week admittedly at a mass vaccination centre but there were loads on offer.
I don't think I'd be putting myself through that journey - but I drive, I don't usually use public transport so that might influence my thoughts. If you've booked through the NHS system surely once you are on the system you can just change your booking... maybe look tomorrow see if things have changed and you can get more local? It might be about funding out what us available local to you though. Depending on your area and how far away that journey actually is there might be little option.

PurrBox · 27/04/2021 16:43

Have you tried calling your GP's receptionist? I was having trouble using the booking system (I think it was a glitch). I called my doctor to ask what to do, and they called me back asking if I could come in that day as they had a slot available. I felt very lucky.

Original poster
VaccineRelatedArrrrrgh · 27/04/2021 16:48

Yes, I had tried everything. GP said they couldnt help

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 27/04/2021 16:49

Did you do this online OP?

Might be worth trying to speak to someone on 119 to see if you can get more help from an actual person.

That sounds like an awful journey to put yourself through. I thought we were all supposed to have access to vaccination sights no more than 10 miles from our homes.

The system isn't without it's faults.

I was supposed to be contacted when my second jab was due but didn't hear a thing.

When I finally got my appointment I was told that a lot of people who had their first jabs around the same time as me in January hadn't been contacted to come in for a second jab.

Finfintytint · 27/04/2021 16:50

Is there anyone who can help with a lift, even if it’s just the return journey?

PeggyArmstrong · 27/04/2021 17:03

If you are doing it online it might be worth going back on to see if you can change your appt time and location.

I've c&p'd a bit of my post from a thread last month below - slightly different as I had received a letter but once I got online I would imagine it's very similar?
v
v
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I actually had to cancel my original appointment due to unrelated illness so rebooked online using my reference number from my letter and was very surprised to see that it was mostly weekend appointments that were available - maybe they leave those free or something.

So I could select an appointment for when I hoped it might be quiet and went for 1340 hrs on Sunday. I also had various options for where I could get it done but went with the original venue as it was the closest and had parking. I don't know if it's the same throughout the UK of course, it may vary.

Original poster
VaccineRelatedArrrrrgh · 27/04/2021 17:15

Just been back onto the booking website. There's a pop-up message advising everyone not to cancel, because it may be hard for them to re-book. I daren't.

OP posts:
rainbowthoughts · 27/04/2021 17:18

Are you out and about daily? Going to work etc? If so then a journey on public transport isn't much more risk than your dad to day. If you have been staying home and minimising contact with the outside world then I would say you are probably silly to take such a journey.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 27/04/2021 17:20

119 also have to cancel before they can rebook so I wouldn't bother trying them just to rebook.

Tealightsandd · 27/04/2021 17:23

If you weren't clinically vulnerable it might be different but since you are, I think it would be preferable to have a shorter journey. What did your GP actually say?

Definitely try 119. They might be able to find a closer location for you. Ask them to check before cancelling your current one (so you keep it if there's no other option).

The level of risk also depends where you are (and where you're going). Big cities like London, Birmingham, or Manchester, more risk (especially the first two with red list arrivals at their airports). Small market town or rural village, less so.

Tealightsandd · 27/04/2021 17:25

119 can check general availability in her local area without cancelling her slot.

Have you checked if there are any walk ins closer to you OP?

Original poster
VaccineRelatedArrrrrgh · 27/04/2021 17:27

I'll be travelling from a large city to a small rural pharmacy. So yes, good point about less risk there.

OP posts:
Iguessyourestuckwithme · 27/04/2021 17:46

I am having my 2nd pfizer this weekend. In between the first one I moved house 3.5hrs away by train and via London. I told the booking in person who said it was best I went back on the date provides as they dlcouldnt guarantee I'd get my dose closer to home either same vaccine or 12 week wait. So going for a day trip and spending 7 hours on a train. Totally worth it

Ireolu · 27/04/2021 18:37

I personally would book somewhere closer to home.

Alternista · 27/04/2021 18:40

There aren’t any slots nearer than 65 miles away for me at the minute. I’m hanging on for a couple of weeks in the hope it will improve.

StrawBeretMoose · 27/04/2021 18:47

I would wait, only because if you feel delicate afterwards that is a long journey to get home again by public transport. And if it is rural as you say and you just miss a bus there might be a long wait for the next one.
The vaccination campaign is pretty efficient so hopefully it won't be long until you are offered an appointment closer to home.

Frazzled2207 · 27/04/2021 18:50

I’ve been trying all day and nothing for miles but in the last hour or so a local-ish slot has come up.
Might be worth giving it a day or two and calling 119 and seeing if there are better options.

Frazzled2207 · 27/04/2021 18:53

@PurrBox

Have you tried calling your GP's receptionist? I was having trouble using the booking system (I think it was a glitch). I called my doctor to ask what to do, and they called me back asking if I could come in that day as they had a slot available. I felt very lucky.
Worth a shot but I called my gp and they said they wouldn’t offer anyone under 50 or not CEV a vaccination at all...ever!
bullyingadvice2017 · 27/04/2021 18:56

Go, itl be a day out. Make a pack up and fine something to do there after. Take paracetamol etc in case. You will be fine

HUCKMUCK · 27/04/2021 19:00

Keep the appointment but can I recommend you google your local CCG and see if they have a vaccine enquiries email address. They may possibly be able to get you into a local surgery that has some spare vaccine. It’s worth a shot but definitely don’t cancel unless you get something else. I feel for you. The system works really well about 90% of the time and I’m sorry you’ve been caught up in the tricky 10%.

Waggily · 27/04/2021 19:08

I had the same message when I tried to rebook mine and it worried me too. But I rang 119 and a really helpful lady told me the message was unnecessarily scary and booked me an appointment easily at a time convenient to me. I’m sure if you ring up, they can help. The

MadeForThis · 27/04/2021 19:18

They have to have the option to cancel and rebook. If you developed symptoms you would have to do this.

PrelovedWithValue · 27/04/2021 19:23

I would have taken it too. The system in Scotland is definitely better though, you don't have to cancel in order to see the other slots. But I was allocated a slot that would have taken me an hour and a half to get there. Had I not been able to book at a nearer center, I would absolutely have gone.

Original poster
VaccineRelatedArrrrrgh · 27/04/2021 19:49

Thank you

OP posts:
SunbathingDragon · 27/04/2021 19:54

Slots keep being released all the time so something nearer could come up.

I would go though. Right now case numbers are so low the risk of not being fully vaccinated in three months when we have opened back up again could be greater (although I suspect it’ll be November before there is likely to be a concern).