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Original poster

Wouldn't a "standby" vaccine list be a great idea?

50 replies

RaspberryCoulis · 08/01/2021 21:21

DH and I were talking about this earlier. We're both in our later 40s so not in the priority group to get the vaccine.

However, we're also both able to drive, and working at home. As the vaccine gets rolled out, there are inevitably going to be missed appointments, and space vaccine "left over" at the end of a shift in a GP surgery or vaccination station.

So wouldn't it be an amazing idea to have a standby list of people who are prepared to drop everything and go within a certain radius immediately?

Phone rings at 7.30pm - Hello Mrs Raspberry, we have spare vaccine at the High Street surgery, it's yours if you can get here in the next 20 minutes?

I'd certainly be up for that. Certainly it's what's been happening with the Pfizer given the storage issues, they've been giving spare doses to hospital staff. But once they're all vaccinated, open it up to the public?

OP posts:
Lemonpiano · 08/01/2021 21:23

I mean, clearly it would be amazing for the two of you, so it's an ingenious plan in that respect. Otherwise no.

Original poster
RaspberryCoulis · 08/01/2021 21:24

But it would work for huge numbers of people who have that flexibility to take appointments at very short notice, but who aren't in the priority groups.

OP posts:
SendMeHome · 08/01/2021 21:24

I think they are doing this with other people on the priority list?

I don’t think they have 20 minutes for it, though. FIL has been told that if he can get to his doctors within 10 mins, he can be on the waitlist for missed appointments. They live about five minutes away by foot. He’s in his mid 70s.

It’s not a bad idea though! I used to live literally a few minutes from my doctors so I could have been there really fast.

testingtesting321 · 08/01/2021 21:25

My GP sent this exact thing by text to me yesterday, to have me on the stand by list in case they have spare vaccines at short notice and can call me to get me in. I am an NHS worker though so they are obviously doing it but still prioritising in the correct order.

CindersCatsSister · 08/01/2021 21:26

Good thinking! It’s already happening for Heath care workers - we get the call at the end of the clinic.

Original poster
RaspberryCoulis · 08/01/2021 21:26

Obviously people on the priority lists should get it first.

But if it's a choice between giving it to a random punter or chucking it in the bin, the random punter should get it.

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 08/01/2021 21:26

Not sure there is any 'leftover'. I know several over 80s still waiting for the call, and they haven't even vaccinated all the medical staff. I mean, I really don't think there are staff just waiting around for people to show up.
Maybe in six months, but by then hopefully you'd have got yours anyway.

Mousehole10 · 08/01/2021 21:27

I would love for this to happen. It wouldn’t affect others on the priority list because vaccine would be wasted otherwise. Just a list you can put yourself into and the first person to answer and can go gets it. I’m on mat leave, I can get to the surgery in less than 5 minutes.

Daisy829 · 08/01/2021 21:30

Yes I read they are doing this in Israel. People queue up in the day & any left over vaccines are administered. Great idea.

Fruggalo · 08/01/2021 21:32

I know they’re doing this - the first one to come off the line has a limited shelf life once out of the freeEr. Half an hour before it expires and depending on any no-shows, they ring round the local the local care homes (for workers) and hcps. That’s how my friend got one.

BiarritzCrackers · 08/01/2021 21:34

They are doing that in Israel, giving out leftover vaccine at the end of the day. People show up and get doses, after the scheduled patients have had theirs, rather than have it wasted. Possibly one of the reasons they are so far ahead of the rest of the world! (although there are lots of reasons).

Phyz · 08/01/2021 21:35

Most people in priority groups could jump in the car and go get vaccinated at a minutes notice! Why would you not put them on the reserve list? The priority groups are not all old people in care homes you know! I would happily sit outside the surgery every day on the off chance there was a spare.

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 08/01/2021 21:36

A standby list is sensible, but it should be based on the priority list. If you mean GP based vaccination, then they will know patients by age and which patients have been asked to shield. And many of those will be able to get to the practice rapidly and it is right that they get the call.

But as more vaccine with longer fridge life become available, then need might fall away considerably anyhow

Iliketeaagain · 08/01/2021 21:36

I actually think this might eventually happen. It's already happening in hubs that were vaccinating - healthcare workers on a "standby list" as it means the vaccines don't go to waste. Or offer to staff nearby who can get there quickly.

Staff in the hubs just work their way down the standby list until some can come, as I understand it.

If a vial is opened and has a couple of doses left, it seems madness to just waste it if there are some who could get to it within 20-30 minutes.

With all the will in the world, there will be people who miss their appointment, people who turn up and decide against it (yes that happens) so may as well use it for people who are ready and willing to get to a hub quickly.

tootyfruitypickle · 08/01/2021 21:38

I agree most people on priority list could probably get to surgeries fast!

I live 3 mins jog from mine - but I think they are planning to have centres in churches etc so probably academic.

Also I presume by a certain point in a day they can see how many missed appts they have so can start calling round

helpfulperson · 08/01/2021 21:41

This is already happening. They are trying to ensure every single dose is being used. It's why you hear about NHS admin staff being vaccinated. They do it with flu vaccines as well.

fizzybootlace · 08/01/2021 21:41

DH is CEV and is on the list with the GP as we are minutes away. Hoping for a call asap!

I expect he'll get an appointment soon anyway but the sooner the better.

bitheby · 08/01/2021 21:45

They're doing this with healthcare staff if they have some left over.

Staffy1 · 08/01/2021 21:53

Yes, good idea. If it's a choice of wasting them, as it would be with the Pfizer which have to be used quickly or binned, or giving them to anyone available, the latter is obviously the better choice.

Butterbean11 · 08/01/2021 22:04

What @Daisy829 said, was just about to say the same.

Thedutchessofhastings · 08/01/2021 22:12

This is happening. My DM got one this way - she had half an hour to get there.

Original poster
RaspberryCoulis · 08/01/2021 22:18

Brilliant that this is already happening. Wasting vaccine just can't be allowed.

OP posts:
Athinginitself · 08/01/2021 22:19

Its happening already, if you work in the nhs and so are in the next priority group down from +80s/care home they are ringing people and saying can you get here in an hour, it happened to a friend today, usually at the end of the day when people havent shown for appointments.

ThreeFeetTall · 08/01/2021 22:23

I read they did this with police officers when there was some vaccine leftover.

ProudAuntie76 · 08/01/2021 22:27

Vaccines are NOT getting wasted. That’s just not happening. I can’t believe people think that’s a “thing” - leftovers go to staff or patients in for other issues.