Vaccine

[AgonyOfDeFeet]

A friend has been given the vaccine. He's nhs, not front line, he's secretarial. He said all front line etc were offered and done first then the rest could get it. He's late 30's, no underlying health conditions. On a personal note I'm really happy he's had it, but on an nhs point of view I feel it's been prioritised wrongly as he wouldn't have been the only fit and healthy non priority person given it.

Probably the one which can only be given under specific conditions rather than out in the community. Therefore it will be best used for those on site.

In my trust, all staff with patient contact are being prioritised. I don't have patient contact (I'm a clinical researcher and can work from home as what I do is more governance and data analysis - normally I do see patients face to face but I don't have to). I would actually think that those in secretarial roles may potentially have quite a lot of patient contact as they are doing that sort of stuff while clinicians are able to do remote consultations. But that said, we've had quite a few emails in our trust saying they had leftover vaccine at the end of the day (including from those who did not show for their booked slots) and they were available to anyone who could get there in the next 2 hours. I think that sounds sensible so that it doesn't go to waste and it saves time later as those staff are now vaccinated.

I think it's a numbers games at hospitals. They are being told to get as many people vaccinated as possible in the two categories. Over 80s and NHS staff. Perhaps anong their vulnerable in patients too? (I'm not sure on that). Aren't most over 80s and care homes being vaccinated by GP surgeries? If so, it's no wonder hospitals have moved onto support staff.

I think it's a bit upsetting if you're a keyworker in other sectors who has been denied and told you're low priority but on the other hand, at the rate its going I'm sure all NHS staff will be done soon. It's one of their work perks and every jab lowers the collective suffering

That's makes a lot of sense, better to use it than waste it. Plus the more people that can get vaccinated the better.

we've had quite a few emails in our trust saying they had leftover vaccine at the end of the day

Cool, put posties, supermarket workers, teachers etc on a list in each office and have them on a text system - first x number of responses who can get there, get a vaccine.

Also worth remembering that it takes lots of different people and job roles to run the NHS. The more of them who are vaccinated, the fewer will be off work, the more efficiently it will run. I can see that there are lots of other people who are really important to making the country run (and I really think teachers should be getting it as soon as they can), but I think it also makes sense to crack on and vaccinate as many NHS as possible

I've heard anecdotally quite a lot of vaccine is being used up when its left over and they don't want to throw it away. I'd much prefer it be used to vaccinate someone even a young, healthy and superficially low risk person than chucked down the sink...