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?

Bless you and thank you for your shared comprehension ❤

Consider it a lucky escape maybe?

I think it depends where you go. I had my covid jab at my GP surgery last weekend. I am a 44

Sorry, it posted too soon.

44 year old carer with no health conditions myself. No questions were asked. For my first Covid jab, I was nowhere near amongst the earliest group of people who got vaccinated but I did attempt to get one earlier than my age group due to my carer status. The hospital I went to was extremely funny about this and almost refused to vaccinate me.

I was in group 6 before but not shielding, received the text saying to book but not asked to take any evidence, won’t be very pleased if I’m turned away 🤷‍♀️

You poor thing. Definitely put in a formal complaint, it's terrible that they treated you so poorly.

My GP claims I'm not entitled to either. Been entitled to a flu jab since 2014. The only difference between 2014 and this year is now my lung condition doesn't have a name.

NHS website says I'm entitled to a covid booster and the Boots website says I'm entitled to a flu jab.

I'm wondering if individual experiences are based on the postcode.
I literally was just my name, address date of birth and was waved in.
I have moderate asthma, age 46.

*asked my name etc.

I went to a walk in today (34). They only asked my dob, nhs number and name and then whether I was vulnerable. I said yes and they gave it to me. I also took my prescription and invite email etc as suggested on the website but they didn’t need to see it!

53, no health conditions, not a carer- went to a walk in 10 days ago and had my booster. My ego was flattered as I was the youngest there by a large margin - felt like a teenager!!!!

I'm the same age as you, op. I've just booked a Covid jab and flu jab for next weekend. The receptionist offers me the Covid jab - I had rung up to book the flu jab.

You are NOT wrong or unreasonable, and you should complain about the horrendously rude woman at the GP.

I'm sorry you were upset.

I am 70 and have only in the last 2 weeks been contacted for both jabs. I have had them both (on different days) My DIL has multiple health problems and was contacted at the same time, she is 40.
I think a lot depends on your postcode and if they have plenty at the "walk-ins"
I had a dreadful (quite unexpected) bad reaction to my covid booster!

We also have a Covid bus in our high street offering vaccines to anyone agreed over 50, no appointment needed.

Some people let their power go to their head. She made a mistake and she was unkind in the bargain.

*aged over 50

Rules seem to be different in different areas across the UK!

Ah that is really shit op, there was really no need for them to be so rude whatever the circumstances but I would have thought you would qualify now too.
I am mid 40's and my only real vulnerability is that I am obese with high blood pressure and I had my flu and covid jabs last week after being invited to get them. I really can't understand how I qualified now but you don't.

Wow. That’s awful and now I’m wondering if the same will happen to me. I was invited by text two weeks ago to book my covid jab and when I called to book it, they suggested I could get flu shot at the same time. I said ok, don’t mind being double jabbed.

Im disabled and under 50. Not CEV…although I was CEV until midway through the pandemic when they changed the guidelines on steroid medications, bumping me out just in time for the vaccine roll out.

My DH is well over 50..and when he asked this past Thursday where was his text? The surgery said his age group would be later in the month. So I think this is a case of them changing the guidelines midway and blaming the hapless patients for it. Well I’m up on Tuesday for covid + flu, so fingers crossed I’m not sent away like you were! Xx

Try talking to your GPS surgery. They sent me a link to book.

I got an email and text telling me I was eligible for a covid vaccine this autumn, but when I went online and tried to book, the online system said I wasn’t eligible. It’s all very confusing.

I’m surprised you weren’t eligible from what you say, but regardless there was no need for them to be so rude about it.

Looking at this thread, it seems to be a bit of a lottery about whether people are able to get the vaccine or not!

I've had this, really hacked me off. Told by text to book, booked, got there, told not eligible.

I got a text and email inviting me to book a covid booster as I'm entitled. I am certainly not entitled. I have no relevant health conditions, not a carer or health care worked. I assume someone has ticked the wrong box somewhere and I'm ignoring it.

Crikey. It does seem to be a bit of a mess this time round.

Like a PP, I was group 6 last time. They really haven't used anything like the same criteria / language. Questions are worded differently online. It's all so ambiguous.

Have begun complaint process.

Anyone who had a text or email invite might want to double check. I was getting turned away like OP. Thankfully I work in a school which I mentioned when the nurse asked what I did and she let me have it as a front line worker.

I would have been annoyed taking time off work to not get it done.

Have you had a text or email from nhs england that youre eligible to book now? i did and got the jab last saturday, i'm 32, no diabetes etc just very overweight.

I’ve had one and still can’t book an appointment.