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Original poster

Vaccine drive WWYD?

34 replies

margaritasbythesea · 19/01/2021 10:14

I am fortunate enough to have been offered the Pfizer vaccine due to my job.

The vaccine center is a two-hour drive away, each way. DH doesn't want me to drive back afterwards by myself because it might not be safe if I am unwell. I also have an injured foot and am really not sure about the driving myself. He is a worrier, but to be fair the NHS website says that you can drive, "If you feel well enough," and I have no idea if I will or not. The problem is that we have two young children that we wouldn't be able to leave while we go, so we would be four in the car. I am concerned we will be told off for this.

There is a bus but this involves two hours there and back and a three hour wait in the destination and obviously we're not supposed to be doing that and there won't be anything open to do. I know we're allowed to travel for medical reasons but I'm mainly worried about not being able to go for a pee for 7 hours if nothing is open. There is a Tesco that looks a walkable distance but I am sure they wouldn't be pleased if I hung around there too long. I also am recovering from badly torn tendons in my foot and I don't really want to be on foot for three hours to be honest. Rehab has been very slow and a complete nightmare with lots of setbacks.

Wwyd? Go the four of us in the car and risk being told that we shouldn't have all travelled but avoid hanging around and foot problems or go on the bus and just hope it's not raining and there's somewhere to pee and maybe sit down? More to the point, I am a but confused about which one would be more closely adhering to the rules. Neither quite fit.

I am in Wales, which is all in tier 4, if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
smashedadvocado · 19/01/2021 10:18

It's most likely if you are unlucky to experience any symptoms it won't be immediately post jab but in the following hours. I'd just drive myself.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 19/01/2021 10:26

I’d get DH to drive and take the kids. Use your foot as an excuse if you need to. DH will be taking me as I won’t be safe to drive due to my needle phobia.

PregnantGotCovid · 19/01/2021 10:31

Get Dh to drive you.

PinkDaffodil2 · 19/01/2021 10:34

All go together surely - take evidence of your vaccine appointment and maybe a copy of a hospital letter about your foot if you’re worried about being stopped, but it seems the safest way to do it. It would be a pain to catch covid on your way to or from the appointment!
I don’t drive so DH drive me and DD an horn round trip to get mine at the last minute as I was on a reserve list, it didn’t even cross my mind we might be challenged if stopped.

GhostPepperTears · 19/01/2021 11:08

TBH I'd just drive myself but I also don't think you'd be UR to have your DH drive you, even with the kids accompanying you.

anniegun · 19/01/2021 11:18

Drive - and if you feel unwell rest up until you are OK

Calmandmeasured1 · 19/01/2021 11:27

Under the circumstances I would wait until a nearer vaccination centre opens up or you are able to go to a GP surgery for it.

If you all go you will all need the loo and you will need to either take drinks and snacks with you or buy food while out. There is no point in increasing the number of contacts for the staff in Tesco unnecessarily.

Chickenfingers · 19/01/2021 11:38

2 hour drive just for the vaccine? No chance, I'd wait until there's one closer to home.

namesnamesnamesnames · 19/01/2021 11:40

I'm interested about other things you want to drive to - don't you ever want to go somewhere that distance on your own? Pre-covid I mean?

PrivateHall · 19/01/2021 11:42

I would definitely enquire if there is an option locally. Perhaps your GP keeps a register of eligible people who can arrive last minute to use up leftovers? It would be worth enquiring anyway.

If there is no local option, then definitely get DH to drive you due to your foot injury.

DianaT1969 · 19/01/2021 11:44

DH to drive you with DC in car. If stopped, he's taking a temporarily disabled person to have the vaccine.
Or wait until a nearer vaccine centre opens if you aren't working in the community.

namesnamesnamesnames · 19/01/2021 11:46

I have just read the part about your foot problems, I missed that previously. Yes, I agree with seeing if there is somewhere more local. Good luck!

Cattitudes · 19/01/2021 11:53

OP might need to wait a long time to qualify without her job qualification. We took driver and children too young to be left. 2hrs is a long time if you are feeling unwell. Do see if a more local centre is an option but otherwise I would see it as a legitimate reason to all travel. You could check with employer/tweet the police to ask.

Cattitudes · 19/01/2021 11:58

Our GP has been clear don't call us, we will call you. OP's work might want her vaccinated and back out in the community before she could access one locally.

movingonup20 · 19/01/2021 12:01

Wait a week. More centres are opening

SillyOldMummy · 19/01/2021 12:03

Drive yourself, very very unlikely you will be unwell

safariboot · 19/01/2021 12:04

Go with the four in the car.

I have a history of fainting after injections. I will absolutely not be driving myself to a 'drive through' vaccine centre. I don't know what I'll do if nothing else is offered.

roundturnandtwohalfhitches · 19/01/2021 12:06

Just get DH to drive you with the kids. It's perfectly permissible as it's an essential journey and only you are getting out of the car.

Haffiana · 19/01/2021 13:41

DH drives, and explain to any overzealous Welsh traffic cop that you are going for your vaccine.

It is allowed, which a 10 second google would have told you.
abuhb.nhs.wales/news/news/important-information-for-patients-travelling-to-hospital-appointments/

Original poster
margaritasbythesea · 19/01/2021 14:07

I wanted to drive myself but don't want to be hard arsed about it for the sake of it and worry DH so I wanted to guage opinion. I don't think either thing does fit the rules terribly well, despite having googled them. And it is the overzealous I am worried about so wanted to see opinion rather than fact.

No plans for a nearer centre any time soon. Rural life! I give hands on care to vulnerable children but not in a hospital or care home.

Thanks for your responses. I'll have another chat with DH tonight.

OP posts:
Cattitudes · 19/01/2021 16:26

@SillyOldMummy

Drive yourself, very very unlikely you will be unwell
Lots of people have had some reaction, they make you wait 15 minutes to check for severe reactions. You are very unlikely to have a severe reaction but you might feel tired, sick, feverish or achey. Which is of course fine if the other option is covid, but probably not as great if you have to drive yourself 2hrs home.
lljkk · 19/01/2021 17:54

I wouldn't wait for it to be offered closer. Is your GP surgery closer than 2 hours away.

boxingdayclearout · 19/01/2021 18:55

I had to drive fir 90 minutes to get the vaccine. Didn't even cross my mind that I'd not be well enough to drive home. You will be absolutely fine!!! Seriously don't worry

starfish4 · 19/01/2021 19:47

In a similar position for different reasons. Unexpectedly offered the vaccine about 30 mins away in the evening. There's meant to be parking, back of hospital, but it's in an area I wouldn't feel safe if I had to park a few streets away. DH is desperate for the vaccine himself and doesn't want me delaying (and I'm looking forward to getting it for some immunity even though I'll have to be careful for months) He agrees area isn't that safe, so said he'll come with me - as we've been no further than 3 miles for a few weeks, it doesn't feel right. Having written this, it's the one time I'm going to be selfish and let us break/twist restrictions.

Frazzled2207 · 19/01/2021 19:54

if you're eligible for the vaccine then your gp hub should be able to offer it within a few weeks so I'd ask them and probably wait