Turned away for Covid Booster

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

I'm a disabled woman of 51 years old. I qualify for the Flu jab every year because of some of my conditions.

For the past few weeks, I've hear via TV that 33 million people (or so, if I've got that right) will qualify for the new Covid booster.

Went online and was asked various questions. One being Am I a carer for a disabled person? (No, but I am a disabled person, so good to know they would qualify)

No, I'm not a healthcare worker - that was the next question. Yes, I'm at risk (as previously mentioned, I'm in the flu jab category) I am not CEV and it did not ask me if I was. I simply thought I was eligible as my GP mentioned I would be, and advised me to get the flu jab and Covid jabs separately.

All good. Booked in for 11.30 today. Turned up and was told I wasn't entitled, was a time waster and had my form aggressively crossed out in front of me and was asked to leave. I apologised profusely and said I was sorry I'd gotten it wrong. I certainly did not attempt to jump any queues or be disingenuous in any way.

Went away and sat in my car and cried. Had a deeper look into the criteria and it says 51 to 64 year old will be invited later in Autumn, but if you presented with high risk (even without evidence) you'd likely still be given the jab, if they had stock and essentially you'd be getting it soon anyway.

Again, I will reiterate that I did not attempt to jump any queue. I genuinely thought I was eligible.

AIBU to think that a carer of my disabled self wouldn't have been turned away?

Worried now that I maybe turned away tomorrow from my appointment but I certainly will not feel any sense of shame if I do.

I booked through the NHS website and selected 'I think I am CV'

Although i am asthmatic on four different meds I didn't receive a text but assumed the booking wouldn't go through if I didn't fit the criteria.

I hope I get mine
am 61 and ticked the regularly looks after a disabled person
as I do

That doesn’t sound right OP. I’m in group 6 for people who get the flu jab and I had my booster today.

Thanks. I also have a high BMI (thanks, disabilities)

I'm sure it will all sort itself out when the booster rollout gets going in earnest. Think I was just unfortunate today in getting a particularly difficult person.

I had mine last a week, I didn’t realise there was an actual criteria to getting it, so was a bit surprised when I was questioned to within an inch of my life when I arrived. Did think it was a bit odd that I was about 20 years younger than everyone else there.

I'm really sorry to hear that you were treated so badly. The information and booking system is very unclear, I'm sure lots of people are getting it "wrong".

I wasn't sure if I am eligible for a booster, went to my surgery to ask and the lovely receptionist read through lots of information on her screen and was also confused. She has booked me in, said she'll get my GP to check with my consultant, and will confirm if it can go ahead.

Why can't everyone have the same helpful service?

Honestly, this sounds terrible. If you weren’t eligible, it shouldn’t have let you book. And after letting you book, for goodness sake what a waste of a slot to turn you away. And to do it so unkindly when it was a genuine mistake (or actually not a mistake, because you have been advised by a clinician to get the jab) is outrageous.

I cannot understand how they could be so unkind. Try to let your mind be calm and not dwell on this. I really can’t see that you did anything wrong, and I am also someone who cares about following rules that are essentially about fairness.

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll be fine. I didn't start this thread ro scaremonger, just completely perplexed. I'm on high dose DuoResp Spiromax and other inhalers. Have also had steroids regularly.

yes me too. I am immuno compromised and was sent a letter from the GP telling me to book and then could not as the website said i was not eligible. (I am 49).

I experimented and when i put in that i am a carer for a disabled person (technically true as DS1 has a range of SEN and disabilities, although we do not claim PIP or anything else for him (he i 13) it said i could book. But I shut the website down at that point because I thought if he were not officially registered as disabled (not sure, although he has a marker on his file due to his issues) then I was not doing the right thing to claim it for this purpose.

It's not really early days though. We are not far shy of 3 years for this and why on earth is anyone who wishes to be jabbed being turned away when we know there is a new wave percolating? it's simply mad.

Oh I’ve just been sent an appointment and don’t even know if I’ve getting covid and flu, or just flu! It says “and/or” on the letter and even my GP didn’t know. I get a flu jab as I’m asthmatic but wasn’t in any of the priority groups for covid jabs so suspect it’s just the flu jab but it would be nice to know as the last covid booster made me feel rotten!

I've booked mine after getting a text and an email yesterday. But it is telling me I have to bring "proof" of my eligibility which is a little bonkers. I'm only 31 but I have MS. Guess I'll just bring my folder of doctors and hospital letters with me 🤣
I'm sorry you had such an awful experience, they had absolutely no right to speak to you in that way and they should be utterly ashamed of themselves 💕

Thank you so much for this. It means the world to me that I've had so much kindness and understanding.

I've had a lot of gaslighting from healthcare professionals before I had some of my diagnoses. It just brings it right back and makes me retreat even more than my Autistic self already does.

I go to hospital 3 times a week for treatment. I figure at least that I'm protecting myself in that sense. I'm being admitted on Sunday for a procedure. As you say, why not get as many jabs in arms for those who are willing?

I'll contact my local pharmacy again as they know me and are very kind.

I got the text too book but the age criteria wasn't coming up on the website so I went to the local drop in centre. When I got there they asked to see the text and ushered me into the queue. No other checks

OOh. Good advice. I might try that.

Our vaccine clinic asked for the criteria to be the same for flu and covid vaccination. But it was refused

@RainbowZebraWarrior - I am extra sad for you that given you have to go to hospital three times a week this wasn’t sorted for you. You were doing the right thing.

Some hospitals are offering jabs to patients as well as staff, it might be worth asking?

Sorry you have had this experience. My mum has had hers. She is early 60s and entitled to a flu jab but not hugely vulnerable. Unfortunately there can be variation on understanding.

I’d complain OP. I had this with my first booster, absolutely vicious person at the entrance wanting to know my whole medical history to justify why I was there because “I looked too young”. I’d been invited by my GP to have one. I asked for her name so I could add it to a complaint and she refused to give it but begrudgingly let me in telling me the doctor would just refuse me when I got into the booth. He didn’t say a word about it. I’ve been invited again and am dreading it happening again.

You give some people a little bit of power…

I live in the U.S. At the beginning of the pandemic I remember MN readers saying that American's wouldn't get tested, vaccinated, treated etc because of the high cost here and so we were all going to die - or something crazy.

This is how it went; tests are free. They give handfuls away for free. Or you can go to any clinic and have them test you - for free.

All vaccines and boosters are free and frequent. I've never heard of anyone getting turned away.

If you get a positive test you can go on-line and get some anti-viral medication called Paxlovid sent to the drug store of your choice. We all did, including my normally healthy son in his mid-30's.

The treatment here is fantastic. Last year my BIL was in the ICU for 7 months with covid. He was on full life support, including ECMO. After 6 months he was given a new set of lungs. He's home, doing fine and monitored closely. Besides the health insurance deductible, it didn't cost them anything financially. Employer stepped up as well.

They push flu shots here to everyone, every year. I'm sorry you were treated like this.

I have a health condition - not one that puts me at very high risk but I was in the 6th cohort originally I think. I had a text a few days ago to book mine. You’ll probably get one soon

I’m pleased your family had that experience @BlodynGwyn, unfortunately as you will know millions of Americans are uninsured.

@RainbowZebraWarrior - local friendly pharmacy sounds like a good plan. Good luck. Hope the procedure goes well.

I booked online (38, CEV) and they didn't ask me anything when I got there! Was the youngest as well

Thank you. I'll ask my consultant on Sunday. Again, I'm so grateful for the advice and kindness.