Some feedback on having the Vaccine

[Hobbesmanc]

Firstly I just feel incredibly privileged to have been offered the vaccine through work and that I am fortunate through geography to have a really proactive local vaccine centre

I though it might be useful to post some observations about the process and administration of the vaccine. I had mine along with a number of colleagues early this week at our local Trust which has three vax stations each doing five min slots from 8-8 mon - fri and 8-4 weekends. Our employer (Social Care) had registered details of staff with CQC and they issued an on-line link for staff to book.

All very easy - although the take up across our sites has been lower than I would expect. Also although the process seemed easy. I did observe a few issues when I was waiting for and having the vax. Early this week, everyone was interviewed by a clinician and anyone even hinting at an allergy ("well I did get a rash after eating some mussels in Fuengirola last year,.....) was turned away. Also people didn't have their paperwork and consent letters complete or had no ID. You need you NHS number

Finally, this Trust were booking you in for the next one exactly three weeks forward- so make sure you can attend that date.

Jab was pain free and I had maybe 24 hours of very low level ache. There's a compulsory 15 minute observation session after before yo can leave

I'm also having mine through work and feel very lucky. Can't wait to get mine on the 31st.

I have terrible gluten and dairy intolerances.
Can’t say they give me a rash though

The area where our jabs are being given is crawling with security guards. Is yours the same?!

I suspect people turning up without their NHS numbers is going to be a big problem. Most people have no idea what it is.

PLEASE PLEASE can you provide more details about registering through the CQC and the CQC providing a link?

I’m a nurse in senior management of a nursing home and not a single care home in our local authority has had its staff vaccinated yet as we have been told that it all has to happen through the Local Authority. The Local Authority have since admitted to me that the are unsure how to book with the hospital hub. The CQC is a national organisation so it would hopefully mean it’s easy enough to book through them.

Please can you PM me the link as we are completely desperate and at our wits end?

@Toddlerteaplease

I suspect people turning up without their NHS numbers is going to be a big problem. Most people have no idea what it is.

Once you can be done at your own GP, that issue might fall away (as they'll be updating practice notes as well as any central return for this jab) and can cross check then.

Otherwise, roll on cat 4 and the CEV, who all have their number to hand as it's on every shielding letter.

@Toddlerteaplease

I suspect people turning up without their NHS numbers is going to be a big problem. Most people have no idea what it is.

General consensus is call your GP- but mine wouldn't give out over the phone. However it is on your prescriptions. It wasn't preventing the admin of the vax - but delaying the queue.

My DM had been offered the vaccine, the practice nurse is coming to her home to do it!

@Toddlerteaplease

The area where our jabs are being given is crawling with security guards. Is yours the same?!

No Not at all. There were no visible signs of any none clinical staff. There were signs through the Trust grounds and a dedicated car park. You wait in a gazebo in the car park and get summoned one by one- check with a nurse, then a pharmacist or clinician. Third stop to log your details and book stage two, then quick jab and a further stop in a big waiting room with social distancing. Staff time the 15 mins until you are allowed to leave

@ProudAuntie76

PLEASE PLEASE can you provide more details about registering through the CQC and the CQC providing a link?

I’m a nurse in senior management of a nursing home and not a single care home in our local authority has had its staff vaccinated yet as we have been told that it all has to happen through the Local Authority. The Local Authority have since admitted to me that the are unsure how to book with the hospital hub. The CQC is a national organisation so it would hopefully mean it’s easy enough to book through them.

Please can you PM me the link as we are completely desperate and at our wits end?

Gosh- you must be worried about your residents. I presume our Head Office HR team provided the data to CQC as the slots were specifically for Social Care staff- Home Care workers and the vax centre is at the local NHS hospital.

The Link was issued through the Commissioning Team within the LA but isn't transferable if that makes sense. I'm so sorry your staff haven't had it yet- maybe the HR leads in your organisation meed to be shouting out. Are you near one of the NHS Hub hospitals?

I really hope you get an update soon. Huge Hugs

I had mine through work (NHS) and didn't need my NHS number.

Gosh- you must be worried about your residents. I presume our Head Office HR team provided the data to CQC as the slots were specifically for Social Care staff- Home Care workers and the vax centre is at the local NHS hospital.

The Link was issued through the Commissioning Team within the LA but isn't transferable if that makes sense. I'm so sorry your staff haven't had it yet- maybe the HR leads in your organisation meed to be shouting out. Are you near one of the NHS Hub hospitals?

I really hope you get an update soon. Huge Hugs

Thanks, I thought we’d been overlooked by CQC but from your update that isn’t the case.

It’s the fact the LA haven’t issued any of us with a link that’s the issue. I thought you were saying CQC provided a link.

It’s a nightmare. We are equidistant from two hospital hubs. We are also funded by two LAs. Neither have started vaccinating health and social care staff yet. Just over 80s not in a care home and NHS staff seem to be getting the bulk most days. Just booking and knowing we are on the list to get it soon would be a huge relief. We feel overlooked and forgotten about yet again.

@raviolidreaming

I had mine through work (NHS) and didn't need my NHS number.

There was a separate Vax clinic for Care Home and Community staff and NHS employees although at busy times they were diverting the queues between them.. I'm guessing it makes it easy to update your GP records.

I got mine on Tuesday (I work in a hospital) and my side effects were a little worse than I expected. I felt tired and had a headache for a full day after. My throat is sore and I have swollen glands but I was told to expect this. Feel much better today.

@ProudAuntie76
I don’t understand your concern. It’s not like it’s going to change anything for a very long time.
People can still get the virus even if vaccinated
The desperation in your posts seem to suggest that you can breathe a sigh of relief once everyone in the care home has had it..as if you’ve reached a place of safety
I honestly don’t think that will be the case
I hope the residents aren’t forced into having this, some might have allergies, immune diseases, some might not be able to speak up for themselves. It’s not a one size fits all and the system could be open to abuse

[quote Dowser]@ProudAuntie76
I don’t understand your concern. It’s not like it’s going to change anything for a very long time.
People can still get the virus even if vaccinated
The desperation in your posts seem to suggest that you can breathe a sigh of relief once everyone in the care home has had it..as if you’ve reached a place of safety
I honestly don’t think that will be the case
I hope the residents aren’t forced into having this, some might have allergies, immune diseases, some might not be able to speak up for themselves. It’s not a one size fits all and the system could be open to abuse[/quote]
I’m talking about vaccinating the staff which is currently the first part of the roll out.

All our residents have to give consent for any procedure. They are free not to consent. Those who are not able consent have to go through the extremely complex MCA DoLs process and Best Interests. No one will be “open to abuse” .

You’d be desperate too if you’d been running a care home through a pandemic. Whilst there’s no current proof the Pfizer vaccine stops transmission, it appears it reduces or negates viral load in the vast majority of cases. This will have a significant positive impact. All our staff with children or partners in high risk professions have been worried about being asymptomatic (test turnarounds are inconsistent and tests frequently go missing or are inconclusive) but transmitting to our residents, this will give some reassurance that should this happen it would at least be a reduced load and less likely to kill. We’ve twice had to deal with outbreaks and sadly lost several residents to Covid.

[quote Dowser]@ProudAuntie76
I don’t understand your concern. It’s not like it’s going to change anything for a very long time.
People can still get the virus even if vaccinated
The desperation in your posts seem to suggest that you can breathe a sigh of relief once everyone in the care home has had it..as if you’ve reached a place of safety
I honestly don’t think that will be the case
I hope the residents aren’t forced into having this, some might have allergies, immune diseases, some might not be able to speak up for themselves. It’s not a one size fits all and the system could be open to abuse[/quote]
Its a massive game changer for providers of Health and Social Care. The whole pandemic has been an incredible stressful challenge, juggling staff sickness and self isolating, PPE crises and above all the safety of vulnerable service users.

Yes we will still need to continue with PPE and weekly testing regimes but the transmission rates will be massively reduced and we're advised there is a 96% protection

Of course no service user or patient can be coerced into accepting the vaccine- there are safeguarding mechanisms in place to protect them. But I suspect most will want it if they eligible.

And whilst its not mandatory for care staff, I suspect that employers will be looking at ways to enforce vaccination for care staff in high risk areas- just as the NHS currently does with mandatory immunisations such as TB and Hep B for staff in certain locations

Glad you managed to get your vaccines. Has everyone had to provide photo id, as i dont drive i don't have a licence and my passport is expired, but the photo is clearly still me.
I have my nhs number, consent form, proof of employment letter, work badge with no photo. Birth cert if needed.
Do you think that will be ok, if its just to see like ness will be suffice.
What id have you all needed,

@Hobbesmanc

Thank you for sharing

@Hobbesmanc

Thanks for the insight Into the process.

Were you given any information about what happens next? I.e. does having the vaccination mean that anything changes in your daily life? Or those coming into contact with you? Are there any situations re.distancing, masking, etc etc where you will be able to say “it’s okay, I’ve been vaccinated, I don’t need to do XYZ any more.” ?

Or is the success or otherwise of the vaccination program going to be measured at a much higher level only - when new case rates start to fall etc?

@pinkkoala

Glad you managed to get your vaccines. Has everyone had to provide photo id, as i dont drive i don't have a licence and my passport is expired, but the photo is clearly still me. I have my nhs number, consent form, proof of employment letter, work badge with no photo. Birth cert if needed. Do you think that will be ok, if its just to see like ness will be suffice. What id have you all needed,

Morning- I took my Driving License plus the letter from my Employer and the QR code I was sent when I booked my slot. But No one asked to see any of these and in fact I was asked to fill in a totally new form. However a colleague was asked for ID and another one was asked about her employer.

[quote miimblemomble]@Hobbesmanc

Thanks for the insight Into the process.

Were you given any information about what happens next? I.e. does having the vaccination mean that anything changes in your daily life? Or those coming into contact with you? Are there any situations re.distancing, masking, etc etc where you will be able to say “it’s okay, I’ve been vaccinated, I don’t need to do XYZ any more.” ?

Or is the success or otherwise of the vaccination program going to be measured at a much higher level only - when new case rates start to fall etc?[/quote]
There wasn't any guidance given - but the clinician who jabbed me issued a credit card size card with the number of the vaccination and the date - she said to keep it safe as there is no phone ap to prove vax status at the moment - but it doesn't have any identifying detail on it?

We have been told that even if we've had the second vax. PPE and the weekly testing regime are to continue.

They are saying that it’s taking too long for staff to enter patients details into the system when people have had the vaccine, so it makes sense if everyone can provide their nhs number to make it quicker. They say a lot more people have had the vaccine than been made public due to delays entering into the central system.

Hobbesmanc, i don't have driving licence as don't drive, so thats a no go. My passport expired 4 years ago but you can see its clearly still me. I have all the other bits, nhs number, consent form, letter of employment confirmation, birth cert.
Are you nhs or care staff, did you have to go to a hospital or gp hub and did you have to go when you were off, could you make appointments yourself or did your employer just book you and a few others to go together.

@pinkkoala

Hobbesmanc, i don't have driving licence as don't drive, so thats a no go. My passport expired 4 years ago but you can see its clearly still me. I have all the other bits, nhs number, consent form, letter of employment confirmation, birth cert. Are you nhs or care staff, did you have to go to a hospital or gp hub and did you have to go when you were off, could you make appointments yourself or did your employer just book you and a few others to go together.

Our HR lead sent out the link from the Local Authority and issued letters to everyone. We then had to book our own slot. HR requested evidence we attended

I don't think you should get worried about ID - the consent form and NHS number seemed the most important

Good luck xx