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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Turned away from my booster

97 replies

Refusedmybooster · 09/12/2021 21:08

New rules started yesterday, anyone can have booster as long as they had their second jab at least 91 days ago.
Went onto NHS website and booked for this morning. I'm at 5 and a half months post second jab.
Turned up today and was turned away as I wasn't yet at 6 months.
I read out the guidance on the NHS website.
I showed that I had booked through the correct channels.
Computer says no.
They want us to have a vaccine and then say no.
What a joke.
(Name change but long standing mumsnetter)

OP posts:
Busybee5000 · 09/12/2021 23:41

@ChargingBuck

You haven't been refused your booster. You can have it in a couple of weeks.

First world problems huh? "The third phase of a multi-billion pound national rollout of a health-preserving, society-protecting & potentially life-saving free vaccine has caused me a minor personal inconvenience. How do I lodge my complaint?"

The point is that the government are actively encouraging people to get boosters and badging it as “ the new way out of this” and people are going to the centre and being refused, even when the rules have been changed. So they have been refused.
PickAChew · 09/12/2021 23:43

You did well, then. Booked my booster mid November for this Saturday.

Flowersupnorth · 09/12/2021 23:49

I was turned away today too, I was sent a text yesterday inviting me to book, followed link and made an appointment using my NHS number for today. Waited 1.5hrs (had a time slot but seemed to be running late). I sat down for jab and after putting in my info a red box appeared on the screen saying I could not have it. A supervisor came over and explained as my first two were AZ, and the booster they had in was Moderna it was still 6 months. She felt that the rules might be updated by the weekend. I think I will wait now until January to try again. I presume the system has not had chance to catch up with the new time frames. I felt bad for taking up an appointment but thought I was doing the right thing getting the booster as soon as possible!

BogRollBOGOF · 09/12/2021 23:51

I've managed to get mine at 40 bang on 6m. I was concerned that with the rules changing this week that demand would suddenly soar.

It's bonkers that the system is letting people book appointments then they're being turned away when they turn up.
Then there's all the media guilting over getting vaccinated/ boosted.

Xmasprrssiehelp · 09/12/2021 23:58

I am 33 and has mine today. It’s a bit of a postcode lottery at the minute. I live in a high vaccine area (93% of the over 12 have had at least one dose. And we are on 45% booster rates!)

I was invited by my gp, a lot of vaccine is being held back for the reluctant over 40s at the minute. And getting spoiled.

The (northern extremely poor) town I grew up in has an appalling vaccine uptake rate and they was giving walk in boosters in the local supermarket yesterday as it was about to get wasted.

whitehorsesdonotlie · 10/12/2021 00:09

@HereComesTheSun12

I got called early for first doses as I'm asthmatic on steroid inhalers. 2nd dose was in May but I've only been able to book a booster by virtue of a recent significant birthday. It's a joke - still got to wait another week as nothing available in this area.
All asthmatics are on steroid inhalers - they're the first line of defence. I wasn't called early for vaccine, despite being asthmatic.
Rememberallball · 10/12/2021 00:32

@whitehorsesdonotlie, it all depends on which steroid inhaler and the doses you’re on. I’m on a high dose steroid inhaler and also take oral steroids for another medical condition, the combination of the two put me in the CEV category back at the start of Covid management.

chesirecat99 · 10/12/2021 00:33

@gospelsinger

I got turned away today too. I don't know my NHS number.
You can get your NHS number here, @gospelsinger.
chesirecat99 · 10/12/2021 00:33

Oops, didn't past the link, here it is @gospelsinger:

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

2WeeksTillChristmas · 10/12/2021 00:48

The computers at the centres haven't yet updated, so they cant physically do anything until the computers are updated

No idea how long that will take

Cookerhood · 10/12/2021 07:59

The red flags can be ignored, they don't stop them from jabbing you. It's crazy, the whole thing. People at vaccinations centres need to be properly briefed. AFAIK the Moderna thing is nonsense, so are all the other excuses. As I said above, we are jabbing all comers. We just ignore the red flags saying it's not 182 days.

Gretaburley · 10/12/2021 08:04

In France anyone over 18 and more than 5 months past 2nd vaccine can book a booster.
Anyone over 65 can walk in without an appointment and get their booster.
It's amazingly well organised and the vaccine certificate with qr code is printed off and given to you before you leave.

sashh · 10/12/2021 08:16

@3peassuit

I’ve had my booster as I’m main carer to my clinically vulnerable daughter. DD, with a weakened immune system, has been unable to book hers. I don’t understand this.
I had that with the first jabs, my carer got his a month before me, but I was sheltering o it made sense that he, who is travelling on public transport, going in to shops etc got the jab as I couldn't really get it unless it was from him.

I had my booster yesterday.

londonrach · 10/12/2021 08:19

You can't be seen before six months in my local area. It won't let you book in. Dont think what the gov been muttering counts yet for the over 40s. I got mine but only at the 6 month time

StealthPolarBear · 10/12/2021 08:21

Me too

ichundich · 10/12/2021 08:21

What I don't understand is why this isn't even reported by the media, since it seems to be happening up and down the country.

phishy · 10/12/2021 08:24

@KaycePollard

I'm at 5 and a half months post second jab.

I think you misunderstood. You can book from 5 months after your second vaccination, but you can't have an appointment until the 6th month. So you can book a month in advance, but still need to wait 6 months.

But it may be that the computer systems are still being re-calibrated - to cover over 60 million people is a huge job.

Nope, you've misunderstood. OP is right.
ChargingBuck · 10/12/2021 08:45

@theemperorhasnoclothes

I was turned away a few weeks ago - it's madness.

It's all very well saying first world problems, but the number of parents of kids in schools who are catching it and getting very ill is going up, fast. The 40+ will be taking up the hospital beds and putting strain on the NHS. Omicron is multiplying fast, it's not waiting for the vaccination centres to 'communicate' better.

Every single person knows you should be able to get a booster if 3 months plus and over 40 now. It's ridiculous anyone in this group is being turned away.

sites near me that previously did walk ins have stopped doing walk ins and there are no appointments.

It seems virtually impossible to get a booster even if eligible. I'm going to try at the last remaining walk-in within a 45 min drive of me tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Illogical, captain!

Vaccination centres are busy. For every arm not being jabbed today, there is another arm already standing in the queue. Another arm will take the place of those advised to come back later, so the same volume of population innoculation is happening, whether that includes the inconvenienced PP here or not.
The 'multifying fast' argument doesn't hold water - Omicron doesn't care what your name is or when your 'turn' is - volume is what counts.

tallduckandhandsome · 10/12/2021 08:58

Vaccination centres are busy. For every arm not being jabbed today, there is another arm already standing in the queue. Another arm will take the place of those advised to come back later, so the same volume of population innoculation is happening, whether that includes the inconvenienced PP here or not.

I don't think that's true. My vaccination centre was open for walk-ins but the only people coming in were those who had appointments.

Gladioli23 · 10/12/2021 09:04

This was likely caused by a paperwork issue: the government and JCVI recommended it but the paperwork to get it all finalised wasn't finished until last night.

Someone up thread said Pfizer only was 3 months: it was actually just that the paperwork allowing Pfizer to be issued at 3 months was sorted out earlier than the Moderna. Both have now been sorted out so hopefully this problem should stop happening (though realistically there may be issues today if sites weren't checking the guidance yesterday evening!).

Jacketpotato84 · 10/12/2021 09:27

It might be the old psychology of wanting something you can't have....
I know I'm being cynical but I wouldn't put it past them !
Food shortages,
Fuel
Toys for Christmas
How did the public react when they thought they may not be able to get them?

As for Boris and Carrie choosing to have a baby on a certain day to deter media from the party scandal, when they previously announced she would be a Christmas baby. Now that I don't believe.

SparklingLime · 10/12/2021 09:32

I just rang the pharmacy I’m booked at today. They said the national booking system has been updated to reflect government statements, but their pharmacy computers have not. However, if I confirm I booked via the NBS they can note this, ignore the computer warning and go ahead. I’m 40+, just under 5 months.

Tink626 · 10/12/2021 09:34

I've heard this happening near me. The guidelines have changed, the website is updated but the clinics (or some of them) haven't been approved for the booster at less than 6 months from the last vaccine. I'm booked for Sunday and will not be a happy bunny if I am turned away!

JabNotInArm · 10/12/2021 09:50

"Vaccination centres are busy. For every arm not being jabbed today, there is another arm already standing in the queue. Another arm will take the place of those advised to come back later, so the same volume of population innoculation is happening, whether that includes the inconvenienced PP here or not.
The 'multifying fast' argument doesn't hold water - Omicron doesn't care what your name is or when your 'turn' is - volume is what counts."

I know a few double jabbed people who are already not sure they need a booster. Other People who had to be dragged along for their first and second jabs. If any of these people book an appointment only to be turned away once I wonder how many of them will go back when they are "eligible" and how many just won't bother again. How many won't waste the his fare or won't have childcare options again?

JabNotInArm · 10/12/2021 09:51
  • Waste the bus fare