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?

That's awful that you were treated that way!

I live in the US and really miss the NHS, but in some ways we do things better here. Now anyone over the age of 12 can have the new Covid booster, and anyone over the age of 6 months can (and is encouraged to) get a flu shot every year.

I received an invitation to book via text message and email from the NHS. I’m 46 and was classed as clinically vulnerable category 6 last time. I booked via the website and it did ask about clinical vulnerability last time. I booked and had my booster this morning.

They didn’t ask for proof of anything either 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thought I'd come and give my feedback from yesterday - I booked online after getting a text. When I arrived at the centre they had a nurse who asked why I was eligible - I explained very briefly and she wrote it down on a slip of paper for me to give to the vaccinator. Actually less checks than my last booster where they asked to see the text I got inviting me.

just been, not asked anything. was a bit concerned that i would be turned away as no proof im a carer.

I agree that it is terribly ambiguous. I could not really work out if I was eligible this time (am eligible for the flu jab due to asthma).

I had a similar experience to yours for my first ever jab. They were really mean! I had had a text telling me to book, was eligible for the flu jab so assumed it was legitimate (why wouldn't I? It was from my GP) and went ahead.

Were it not for that experience last time, I could have easily booked this time and had the same experience as you. Sorry it went that way.

I can't believe people are getting turned away when they were invited to book!

I booked in my flu jab a couple of months ago for today, then a few weeks afterwards, received a text to say they would be administering covid vaccines at the same time for those who wanted it.

Turned up today, was asked if I wanted just the flu jab or both. Needles in both arms and a 15 minute sit in the car, then off I went. I was asked my name and if I was driving, and then had to answer the questions on the laminated sheet, and that was it. No proof of why I was eligible required.

It is a bit of a muddle this time round. It seems to be left up to the individual to figure it all out this time. I have been high risk/immunosuppressed right through since the first lock down, but IME the rules seem to change.

I wasn't called at all for my second jab, so I went along with DH when he went for his, showed them my original letter and after a bit of discussion they did mine too.

I got a text from my GP for the third, went along and got it, no trouble.
Got a text for the 4th and couldn't get an appointment anywhere, eventually had to go to a pharmacy miles away.

DH went on the wrong day for his booster (by mistake), but they did it anyway.

The flu jabs have been equally muddled.
I have been persistent because of my health conditions, but I can see how some people might be too unwell or exhausted to keep going.

i have never been called for any of the jabs. just booked them as soon as I could.

I don't really understand. I never thought I was clinically vulnerable but then it turned out I was in group 6, which I only assume is because of a blood clot that I had for which I was on medication.
I was invited this time as well, assume for the same reason. But it is literally the only reason it could be. I did get the vaccination but it isn't massively clear- I know quite a few people who got invites but are not quite sure why and have various underlying health conditions that presumably put them into that category. I don't think making it the patient's issue is really the right thing to do. Surely either your medical records suggest you do need it, or they don't, it shouldn't be down to individuals to try to work out which underlying health condition it might be.

I mean I don't feel clinically vulnerable and am quite healthy and fit. But who am I to judge the impact that my previous blood clot has on my susceptibility to covid now. I just don't know!

Well my 38 year old ex partner went to the same venue the next day and got boosted. His only vulnerability is a fatty liver.

I've had text from doc to got directly to the surgery next week for mine. Still a shame I was made to feel like a dick and a liar, but got there in the end.

Been interesting to read the different experiences people have had

They should have just given it to you since you went all the way there.
She most certainly didn't have to be so nasty about it.

It should be at the point where if anyone wants one, should be able to get one.

My friends & family have received letters or texts inviting them to go for their covid boosters at different times

I have not received an invite yet

So there must be a system in place

My DH is 68 and he got an email and a text inviting him to go for his Covid booster - he's going next week.

I've just turned 60 and had a text from our GP surgery inviting me for my flu and Covid jabs - I've got mine in a couple of weeks. Friends who are 51 and 53 respectively with no other health conditions have got theirs at the GP on the same day as me. DH on the other hand hasn't been invited for his flu jab yet (he's hoping they might give it to him the same time as his Covid jab). It all seems a bit random.

As many, older/vulnerable, are not having the 4th vaccine, through choice, I don't know why they just don't give it to those that want it.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/how-elderly-driving-surge-covid-28183210

That was so rude of them, OP. And surely wrong? My son and I have been called three weeks ago as he's disabled and I'm his carer.