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Original poster

1st cock up in vaccination rollout

218 replies

CKBJ · 10/01/2021 18:10

Being reported in the media that many over 80s received their letters yesterday, supposedly those living up to 40mins away from one of the 7 vaccine centres, but when they book appointments they are instructed to travel very far. No where does it state in the letter patients won’t be penalised if they don’t book one at one of the 7 centres and if they wait their gp practice will contact them for a local appointment. This is causing a lot of anxiety in people who are already likely to be shielding and potentially put them at risk by them trying to travel to one of the centres. Surely the letter template should have been reviewed and this issue picked up!

OP posts:
Lemonpiano · 10/01/2021 18:13

Yes, but it wasn't. Now it's being addressed. Hopefully they will improve their communication so as to avoid being embarrassed again if nothing else.

dementedpixie · 10/01/2021 18:13

Theres another thread about this

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-55605149 this is the news article about it

Mousehole10 · 10/01/2021 18:13

not exactly a huge cock up. Some people are just waiting for every little thing that goes wrong!

Pomegranatespompom · 10/01/2021 18:15

Agree @Mousehole10

Original poster
CKBJ · 10/01/2021 18:16

Well we don’t want any cock ups! This is far too important to get it wrong/delayed/poor communication as many people as possible need to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

OP posts:
Crazycatlady83 · 10/01/2021 18:17

But some people will be happy to travel, have friends / family who can help them get there so hardly a huge cock up!

Lots of people wanted the Army to get involved, for vaccine centres to be set up etc., Now this is done, lots of people want it just done at GPs. I’m not sure the Government can win whatever they do!

Abracadabra12345 · 10/01/2021 18:18

@Mousehole10

not exactly a huge cock up. Some people are just waiting for every little thing that goes wrong!
Yes, the media will be circling like vultures. This is a huge logistical challenge and you’d think everyone would be pulling together on this but....nah.
Drinkarsefeck · 10/01/2021 18:21

I don't think this is a cock up, if they are able to travel and get the vaccine more quickly then that's great, if they can't they will be done locally later. I know I'd do my damndest to make sure my parents got there if it were me, it will speed things up for all the following groups the quicker we can get through them.

Nomoresleeps · 10/01/2021 18:24

I think this is a big cock-up. Some elderly people with health conditions and shielding are thinking they have to travel 40 minutes on a train to a city centre for the vaccination with no explanation on what to do if they can’t. My elderly parents would be very anxious and upset about this if they received such a letter.

Doingthingsdifferently · 10/01/2021 18:25

Very easy to criticise isn't it. This is the largest logistical challenge of our generation - and every step there is the media and people like the OP waiting to crow about minor errors - could we not try and pull together and get this done?

Mousehole10 · 10/01/2021 18:25

@Drinkarsefeck

I don't think this is a cock up, if they are able to travel and get the vaccine more quickly then that's great, if they can't they will be done locally later. I know I'd do my damndest to make sure my parents got there if it were me, it will speed things up for all the following groups the quicker we can get through them.
Exactly, these vaccination centres are open and if people can get to them they should, rather than waiting for their local gp who may be weeks behind. I’d make every effort to get my elderly relatives to one if they had an appointment there. As it happens mine had theirs before Christmas because the UK has been very efficient at the vaccine rollout out!
Mousehole10 · 10/01/2021 18:27

@Nomoresleeps

I think this is a big cock-up. Some elderly people with health conditions and shielding are thinking they have to travel 40 minutes on a train to a city centre for the vaccination with no explanation on what to do if they can’t. My elderly parents would be very anxious and upset about this if they received such a letter.
I would hope they would talk to you about it and you would help them book and get to an appointment.
IcedPurple · 10/01/2021 18:27

@CKBJ

Well we don’t want any cock ups! This is far too important to get it wrong/delayed/poor communication as many people as possible need to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
This is a massive logistical operation. Mistakes happen. This probably isn't the first and almost certainly won't be the last. Your gleeful rush to the computer kind of disproves your first sentence.
Lindy2 · 10/01/2021 18:27

So they're being offered vaccine appointments but they are at centres that they have to travel to. Now that's been realised they are being offered the vaccine more locally.

To me this is a complete non story. A slight admin mix up that's already being fixed.

It seems really distasteful that some people just can't wait to complain and moan about every possible thing. How about they use some of their time to actually appreciate the huge amount of time and effort from many many people to get this mammoth task organised.

Nomoresleeps · 10/01/2021 18:30

Well the vaccine rollout hasn’t been very efficient in my area as yet (South Wales.)

Frazzled2207 · 10/01/2021 18:32

I don’t quite get who is being invited though if it is being run by gp surgeries (as well). I know many over 80s who have either had it on been told they will soon, either at their local surgery or nearby.
Is it possibly going to people whose gp surgery is not doing it? I wouldn’t blame people for wanting to wait to have it closer to home. I can’t imagine many 80+ will be able to travel far independently, that said I would def take my parents any distance if needed

thatgingergirl · 10/01/2021 18:36

My mum got her letter yesterday. It does tell her she may also be contacted by local NHS and she can choose to use that.

cathyandclare · 10/01/2021 18:37

@Nomoresleeps

Well the vaccine rollout hasn’t been very efficient in my area as yet (South Wales.)
Totally agree, Wales are slower, I don't know of any over eighties vaccinated. Drakeford said it's not a sprint today, but speed really is of the essence to get as many vulnerable people done as possible.

Really frustrating, my parents are in Swansea and able to travel to a regional centre ( over 80 but mobile) but haven't been offered anything, whereas friends in London and the SE have had 2.

cathyandclare · 10/01/2021 18:38

Wales IS slower- apologies no excuse for poor grammar even in the unprecedented times Grin

Ineedalargeone · 10/01/2021 18:38

A minor blip..... let's not forget how much further ahead we are with vaccine roll out that most other countries!

MarcelineMissouri · 10/01/2021 18:39

@Lindy2

So they're being offered vaccine appointments but they are at centres that they have to travel to. Now that's been realised they are being offered the vaccine more locally.

To me this is a complete non story. A slight admin mix up that's already being fixed.

It seems really distasteful that some people just can't wait to complain and moan about every possible thing. How about they use some of their time to actually appreciate the huge amount of time and effort from many many people to get this mammoth task organised.

100% this.
PenguinIce · 10/01/2021 18:40

@Doingthingsdifferently

Very easy to criticise isn't it. This is the largest logistical challenge of our generation - and every step there is the media and people like the OP waiting to crow about minor errors - could we not try and pull together and get this done?
Agree!

Easiest thing in the world is to criticise others op!

Orf1abc · 10/01/2021 18:41

My neighbour got invited to a centre ninety minutes bus ride away. She said she'd rather continue staying at home!

Mumsnut · 10/01/2021 18:43

This is like JVT’s curry. A total non story

Eyewhisker · 10/01/2021 18:44

I find this complaint ridiculous. Vaccinating at mass centres speeds up vaccinations compared to having it in dribs and drabs from local GPs. It would be a shame if the mass vaccinations stopped because of these complaints. I’d be willing to drive my dad to anywhere to be vaccinated and I’m sure most others would do too, especially if they can have it quicker.

Insisting on only having local vaccinations will cost lives.

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