Covid Vaccine and over 80's

[notangelinajolie]

So today, FIL who is over 80 had a phone call inviting him for the vaccine on Monday morning.
But because he is over 80 and not as fast thinking as he once was, he dithered and said he would need to ask his son or grandchildren if they could take him.
So he lost the appointment.

He doesn't know who rang him or who to call back to re arrange.
Now he is distraught because he thinks he has messed up.
How on earth are we going to get all the over 80's immunised? This scenario is going to happen over and over again isn't it?

He or you need to call his GP. They will know. My parent in SE rung yesterday, age 81, getting first dose 19th Dec and second 9th Jan. Am delighted. Hope he sorts it.

Call his GP surgery, I'm sure they will get it sorted.

Yeah I think it will be tricky with the elderly, I think most surgeries are aware of this and will be trying to factor that in.

Start with ringing GP. I’m sure if it was hospital they would try and contact again, but make sure he takes the next appointment, hard I know. I’m sure there will be others in same position.

yes i was concerned about some people will be able to get to have their vaccinations.

i am sure they will call him back op

I worried about this. I told my grandma no matter what appointment she is given to accept straight away and we will make sure she gets there.

DH (his son) has told him to ring his GP and to take whatever appintment they give him.
He is a proud independent man and usually manages life admin well so DH is reluctant to make that call for him.
Fingers crossed he has a pen and paper ready this time.

My dad lost his first chance too - he had an email to book a slot but they had all gone by the time he checked bus times. I don’t think we are worried though, there will be more slots available soon and it’s good to know they’re getting high take up.

They're already offering it to 80+ year old people in the community? This is tremendous news.
Hope your FIL gets it soon, OP.

I have an update. FIL had his first jab this morning.
His GP was no help at all - they said it was out sourced and nothing to do with them and he was told to wait for another call, which never came. Poor man sat next to the phone with pen and paper for days waiting for the phone to ring.
So last night my DD rang the sports hall where the vaccines are being given. The medical staff had finished for the day but the manager told her that people were turning up without appointments and they were being given the vaccine. No one was being turned away.
There was always going to be spare capacity due to the no shows as some elderly people can't get there.
He said if it were his dad he'd be bringing him.

A bit of a gamble we know but a huge, grateful thank you to the man whoever he was - because we would never have driven FIL across town on the off chance if he hadn't been so positive he would get the jab.
We are all feeling very relieved right now

@notangelinajolie
Oh that's brilliant news (except for the useless GP). I do worry about this kind of scenario though which is going to be common. Realistically it is going to be hard work for the organisers to get all the 80+s to come and I can see how it would be logistically easier just to jab whoever turns up and nobody would blame them for that within reason.
I hope he knows the plan for his second jab.
My own parents are younger and I know will just accept any appointment given thankfully

Glad he's had in done OP. Everywhere seems to be handling the vaccinations differently, my Uncle and Auntie had a phone call form their GP's surgery.

That is fantastic OP, hopefully the follow up will be as smooth, in the end. I will mention This to my parents and in-laws so they know to just say yes and worry about the logistics later!

Taxis are still operating. So tell your elderly relatives you'll pay for a taxi for them if you cant get there yourself or arrange for a local volunteer to take them.

If I was over 80 I think I'd try my luck too, because not all gp practises are involved yet and I'm pretty sure mine is one of the crap ones who will be last to do it.

My parents have decided taxis are too dangerous and buses are safer because they are bigger and currently pretty empty. I don’t agree but their minds are made up!

Thanks for raising this issue, OP, I could just see my Dad and SM (82) getting flustered about transport too and missing their appointments.

They’re comfortable with taxis so I’m going to recommend they say yes to their appointments as soon as they get the call and then book a taxi.

@Frazzled2207
I hope he knows the plan for his second jab

Yes, it's all arranged. They gave him a card with his next appointment in 3 weeks time. It's on the other side of town so we will take him as we don't want him risking catching Covid on the bus or in a taxi at this last hurdle.

It wouldn't work if everyone turned up like we did but I think for the few who have got their vaccines this way it's is better than it going to waste because it's been out of the freezer too long.

There is so much disparity between different health authorities, hospitals and GP's on administering these vaccines. I feel genuinely sad for all those elderly and vunerable people out there who for whatever reason are not able to be proactive in getting this vaccine or are able to sort this out for themselves.

Thats such good news Op, i'm glad it got sorted even if it was in a slightly strange way! I think surgeries will become better at sorting out the admin in a few weeks time, it is such a massive undertaking and a lot more goes into it than the flu jab