1st cock up in vaccination rollout

[CKBJ]

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!

I don't think this is anything like the first cock-up. Neighbours who are 84 and 92 had appointments for late December only for them to be cancelled at the last minute because the surgery's vaccine supply had run out.

Honestly with staffing ,logistics, procedures ,supply chain and having 66 million people to organise .
If anyone thinks they will get it 100% right they have no idea of the challenge involved.

@cathyandclare, my parents in the SE haven't been done yet- I suspect bigger hospitals got it first (logistics) and more rural areas are waiting. (And one is both over 80 and CEV)

@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?

The trouble is that this is only the latest in a long, long line of cock-ups by this government, and when you outsource these functions the likelihood of mistakes seems to increase massively.

What about the children? Won't somebody please think of the children!!!

Your post is as if you have been waiting for this.

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?

It's very depressing. The situation is desperate but we have hope things are going to get better and people just can't resist trying to drag everyone down.

@Arobase

Believe me I am no fan of this government and how they have handled the crisis. But when it comes to the vaccine roll out, so far they have done a lot better than most countries on something that is extremely difficult. We (and the media) are only making the job more difficult by jumping on every slight misstep and carping on about it not being perfect - to get this done quickly it won't be perfect for everyone.

The letter does reference the choice to use a gp service. There are about 1000 GP sites and 10 mass sites at the moment.

Hospitals are now just doing staff. As was the plan.

Exactly. It seems as though there is criticism that there isn’t a chauffeur driven service to everyone’s door.

If we want mass vaccinations quickly, we all have to make some effort. And that may mean people may have to give up a day’s work to take their elderly parent to a vaccination centre. It is hardly too much to ask.

What a nasty OP - gleefully rubbing their hands over this.

I really despair of some people, along with those who are outraged by the inconvenience of an appointment.

Some people have a really belligerent “Why should I?” attitude to life.

The big hospital in my area is running drop in sessions for its staff and over 80s attending outpatients. Flooded out with friends and family of staff, meanwhile over 85s and healthcare workers not cheating the system haven’t been contacted yet.

@Eyewhisker

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.

Couldn't agree more!!!! Mass vaccination centres are the best way of getting everyone done quickly and efficiently, and there's less admin/logistical issues that will slow down the process.

I told my mum her appointment was to be viewed like a Martini - any time, any place, anywhere - and I 'll get her there!

Showing my age there!

I am getting sick of these stirrers. People are on edge give us a break!

@ChikiTIKI - the vaccine isn’t being given to the under 16’s

It's a communication cock up rather than a logistics cock up but anyone who has ever managed a project knows communication is 9/10 of the battle.

@Mousehole10

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

Agree with you.

My mother's 84. She lives on the South Coast. If she's offered an apt next week 300 miles up country or so I'll take a days' leave to bet her there. 90 miles to mother; 300 for vac, 300 to her home, 90 back to mine. And op - I'll be chuffing grateful.

People are not shielding because of age. Older age was never something on the shielding list. "Shielding" is a very specific list of medical conditions.

Exactly Roses - our old people have had their second vaccines now, and we would have driven all day and night to get them there for it. Getting them vaccinated was the top priority for the family

Lots of people demanding they have the vaccine at home here, people who are able to drive or have relatives who can drive them.

I actually don't think it's a cock up - many people travel 90 minutes to specialist hospital appointments, especially those who are on the shielding list.

I know people 70+ who have been offered vaccinations when Matt Hancock said today one third of over 80s have had the vaccine. Maybe they are panicking about not having done all the over 80s and rushed this.

@ancientgran it's so they don't waste vaccines and possibly the number of over 80s in your area who have been vaccinated is much higher than 1/3.