Any advice to request vaccine ASAP

[Bessica1970]

Please let me start by saying I am not wanting to jump ahead of the elderly, but please bear with me. We have been told that ECV can be invited now for the vaccine and I’m ECV.
We’ve also been told not to phone drs (and recorded message on dr website states they will not discuss vaccine appointments). Does anyone know how I can flag to the powers that be that I am working each day with students face to face in school, so that I can at least be one of the first ECV to be called?
To be clear I have chosen to continue working as I’m a Head of Year and feel that my vulnerable students need me. I could work from home, but I fought to be allowed in.
I’m really asking I suppose, I’d there a way of talking to a real person to explain my situation?
If you don’t want to give details on here because ransoms might decide to follow your tips too I understand.
I do not want to skip ahead of the higher groups - but would really like to be early in my group.

I absolutely don’t think that I am more ‘deserving’ or special"

But that's exactly what you are saying?!

OP I just wanted to say that I think some of these replies are really bitter and mean-spirited. I don’t think you sound entitled, and although maybe the bureaucracy would make it more of a pain than it’s worth, I do wish people in your situation* were relatively prioritised within the existing groups.

*working ftf in a way which makes proper social distancing or other covid prevention strategies challenging. I don’t think the fact that you’re voluntarily not shielding, in order to do your job properly, changes this.

Hope you get your appointment soon.

"I do have a consultant, so might contact them"

Yes, it's not like they have any other work to be getting on with instead of being contacted (probably by many many people) asking to jump the queue.

Read the fucking room!

Sorry that was quite aggressive. I'm just so tired of people being so self centred and (literally!) thinking they are more important than others.

@pinbinpin

ECV = extremely clinically vulnerable - aka shielding - people in category 4

The people WFH I am referring to are WFH because they can - because they are normal office workers - not because they are shielding.

Head of A&E needs to have a word - NHS admin staff working at home are being vaccinated now in our trust, and a London trust I am working with (the IT workers)

Who would he have a word with? All the posters on here are saying you need to wait your turn, and not chase up your turn. Why shouldn’t he wait to be called up? Or are we saying that the call up process will have no mistakes or omissions ever?

I had some sympathy for your position (not that I thought you should do anything other than wait), right up until you said it was your choice to go in to work.

I absolutely don’t think that I am more ‘deserving’ or special

You absolutely do

@Bessica1970

I had no intention of phoning my gp to take up their time after hearing their messages (I had phoned to give them my bp readings) so those who assume I would be doing that have misunderstood.

Instead you are taking up their time by sending them a letter.

I'm still waiting for my turn and I work in care. Luckly all the residents have had theirs.

It’s also a bit galling that people in the lowest risk groups are getting the vaccine because their family or friends work in a gp practice, so they are called in a short notice for left over vaccines.

But teaching staff, who were literally forbidden by the DfE to wear masks even though they’re less than 2m from their front row, are expected to suck it up for many more months. It makes no sense, and I don’t think people should be vilified for feeling a bit aggrieved.

You have chosen to go to work so I see no reason why you are more deserving than anyone else in your area in group 4 so wait your turn .

If you were moved up the queue it means that someone else had lost their place to you.

@Lemons1571

It’s also a bit galling that people in the lowest risk groups are getting the vaccine because their family or friends work in a gp practice, so they are called in a short notice for left over vaccines.

But teaching staff, who were literally forbidden by the DfE to wear masks even though they’re less than 2m from their front row, are expected to suck it up for many more months. It makes no sense, and I don’t think people should be vilified for feeling a bit aggrieved.

At our centre we literally have minutes between knowing how many spares we have and having to give them before everyone finishes for the night. We grab people from the street now all the staff and volunteers are done. There wouldn't be time to ring family.

So if the op hangs around a vaccine hub at say 4pm, is she likely to get a vaccine after a few days?

The problem is that there will be thousands like you who all have a valid (and many with not-so-valid) reasons for wanting the vaccine ahead of others in their group. You might think "oh I'm just one person, it won't matter if I ask", but I would bet money there are thousands of people thinking the exact same thing.

The NHS doesn't have the resources to assess everyone's needs at an individual level right now. Just wait until you receive your letter.

Some areas are calling the local nick or fire station for spare end-of-the-day jabs. Emergency services are likely to get the highest occupational priority, and are really good at getting to places within minutes.

To be clear I have chosen to continue working as I’m a Head of Year and feel that my vulnerable students need me. I could work from home, but I fought to be allowed in.
No, and that was a pretty stupid thing to do. Plus much help would you be to your students if you were seriously unwell.

@Lemons1571

So if the op hangs around a vaccine hub at say 4pm, is she likely to get a vaccine after a few days?

I've no idea how any other centres are using their leftovers.

I think she'd be better working from home.

@Lemons1571
I don’t understand this. Surely when she’s had two doses of the vaccine and waited an appropriate time afterwards, she can stop shielding and follow the national guidance?
No I am ECV, we still need to shield as the vaccine is thought to be less effective for us as the majority of ECV have compromised immunity.

It's a shame that occupation isn't also noted because obviously a CEV teacher should be ahead of a CEV person able to lockdown. I hope you get your turn very soon.

There are millions of people in the same situation as you Just have a bit of Patience and wait till you hear with your Appointment like the rest of us Essensial workers have too

Op - we have just started inviting our group 4s so I expect you'll get your call imminently. Hold tight, it will come.

@AlwaysLatte the op is choosing not to shield. She can work from home on full pay.

@MyDcAreMarvel

To be clear I have chosen to continue working as I’m a Head of Year and feel that my vulnerable students need me. I could work from home, but I fought to be allowed in. No, and that was a pretty stupid thing to do. Plus much help would you be to your students if you were seriously unwell.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions huh

I do think teachers should be prioritised. Just email your GP and explain the situation offering to be on a reserve list to go at short notice. (I am working closely with a booking team and this would be fine with us). Problem is the searches will only pick up your clinical vulnerability and probably not your occupational vulnerability.