To have expected a booster

[JabNotInArm]

Name changed for this as outing.

I'm 37. I live in the south east, in an area with good vaccine uptake and one of the highest % of boosters administered. Virtually everyone I know was offered first and second doses of the Covid vaccine before they were officially rolled out because of excellent work by the GP surgeries/local PCNs.

I received a text last week from my GP (via the group coordinating the booster programme) asking me to book my booster. The text had a link to follow which wasn't for the National booking system but to book at a local venue being used exclusively for patients at this group of surgeries. I had to enter my DOB, then was allowed to select a time and date.

My appointment was today. I had a c section 5 weeks ago and recovery has been slow. I can't drive yet and I've only been out on my own once so this was quite a big milestone for me. I arranged for my mum to have my baby and my dad drive me to the venue.

At the venue they checked my 2nd dose had been at least 6 months ago, ticked my name of the list and gave me a QR code for the vaccinator to scan to bring up my details. Sat down, sleeve rolled up, ready to go and the vaccinator said he had to check with his manager as I am under 40. She refused to give me the booster. He was clearly keen to just jab me so spoke to her 3 times. She refused. So I was there, ready to go, in a quiet venue on a Wednesday afternoon, after listening to Boris fucking Johnson bang on about our amazing booster roll out, and they turned me away.

I was glad I had my mask on as I was so close to tears and felt completely embarrassed.

The thing that really got me is that he ended saying they're opening eligibility up to my age group next week so I can come along to a walk in at the same place next week. Realistically I can't attend a drop in with a baby, I'll need to book an appointment arrange childcare (or take the baby with me) and sort another lift as I'll have no car until after Christmas.

I'm keen to get my booster when I can, but what annoys me is that I could have been nervous about needles or hesitant about vaccines and that experience could have put me off going back.

AIBU to think I should have just been given my booster and that they should be following the spirit of the vaccine guidelines (which I've lost track of now anyway) rather than sticking rigidly to the "rules"? I appreciate there is a mismatch between political narrative on vaccines ("we're offering them to all over 18s") and the reality on the ground but there are times discretion should be used.

The reason they will have turned you away is because the government announced jabs for all without actually arranging for the legal mechanism for that to be sorted at the time they announced it. It's been sorted out now for one vaccine type but not another. Until that comes out you'd have to be personally prescribed it by a doctor (like a medication at the GPs) and many sites don't have the capability of doing that.

It's poor, but it's the government not sorting legal mechanisms to be timed with their announcements, not the vaccination centres.

Thanks @Gladioli23 - perhaps the lack of a prescriber on site is the issue then. It's odd as the vaccinator was looking for a way to justify giving it to me - asking about ways I might be vulnerable (new baby), or whether I was a carer. I actually help out a relative who is CEV and was having chemo until recently so thought about mentioning that (it isn't something they were aware of), but it's an informal arrangement so didn't feel right. Presumably that would have ticked a box though

Seems crazy as you were there and willing.
I couldn’t get booster 🤷‍♀️ Well over 40 but the NHS site seems to have blipped and lost all trace of first two vaccines. !!! Doctors have a record but NHS site hasn’t. I am high risk too! . Spent 7 weeks trying everything but getting a computer says no. So in end just went for first vaccine again !! Well third for me but first on my NHS record. I had no choice. Was over 7 months since last vaccine and I was terrified of my reduce immunity.

@Highfivemum - that's absolutely awful! Will you have "2nd" and "booster" again too? Presumably you'll have to if vaccine passports etc are required? At least you'll have Uber antibodies!

[quote JabNotInArm]@Highfivemum - that's absolutely awful! Will you have "2nd" and "booster" again too? Presumably you'll have to if vaccine passports etc are required? At least you'll have Uber antibodies![/quote]
I had to book a second when I booked the first. I will delay it a bit and then have it done. If they introduce passports I am stuck cis even though I have my little blue card to say I am doubled vax I only am showing one on the NHS site. Such a mess

I'm now hoping DD doesn't get turned away on Saturday, she's not at the 6 month mark till the 25th but had an invite from the GP so is booked in at the GP hub, she's 18 so evidently not 40! She qualifies due to an immunosuppressed household member. (Though her twin brother hasn't had his invite yet)

@JabNotInArm

Thanks *@Gladioli23* - perhaps the lack of a prescriber on site is the issue then. It's odd as the vaccinator was looking for a way to justify giving it to me - asking about ways I might be vulnerable (new baby), or whether I was a carer. I actually help out a relative who is CEV and was having chemo until recently so thought about mentioning that (it isn't something they were aware of), but it's an informal arrangement so didn't feel right. Presumably that would have ticked a box though

Yes, so the ways of offering the booster without a prescriber on site is that you have to fall into Cohorts 1-10 currently, which includes people who are clinically vulnerable and carers. So looking after someone who is CEV is absolutely a reason to be allowed a booster.

I'm a bit confused by the comments of turning away people who aren't yet 6 months after their second. The guidance is now on the NHS site that you can book after 2 and will be offered appointment dates after 3.

I booked mine this week and go on Dec 13th, however it won't be 6 months until Jan 6th. So by the sound of it I've just wasted an appointment as I'll be turned away despite being 46 and more than 3 months post jab?

@DanielRicciardosSmile

I'm a bit confused by the comments of turning away people who aren't yet 6 months after their second. The guidance is now on the NHS site that you can book after 2 and will be offered appointment dates after 3.

I booked mine this week and go on Dec 13th, however it won't be 6 months until Jan 6th. So by the sound of it I've just wasted an appointment as I'll be turned away despite being 46 and more than 3 months post jab?

The paperwork is in the process of being changed - and will be done by 13th December. So this should be fine.

Thankyou @Gladioli23.