COVID vaccines for newly recruited NHS staff?

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I am starting a new job for the NHS soon. I'm clinically vulnerable (not ECV). My role is classed as frontline but it is not patient-facing, but I have read that it qualifies for the COVID vaccine.

Do you know how early I can expect to get the vaccine as a new employee? Is it something an occupational health nurse would know ( have to speak to them anyway before I start)?

I'm currently in priority group 6 so I expect to get the vaccine in the Spring/Summer anyway, but I'm just wondering whether it's likely I will get it sooner.

Sorry if this sounds cheeky.

At my Trust you would qualify now, I am not sure but you will get it pretty soon I am guessing and its not cheeky, your frontline and vulnerable so high up the list

@Jenasaurus

At my Trust you would qualify now, I am not sure but you will get it pretty soon I am guessing and its not cheeky, your frontline and vulnerable so high up the list

Do you think it's something I could ask occupational health about or would they not know?

I am not yet an NHS employee as I am just waiting on references and my appointment with occupational health before I can receive my start date so I presume I would have to wait until I officially start?

Definitely ask occupational health if you have an appointment with them coming up anyway. If they don't knownits likely they will be able to tell you who/when to ask. And dont feel cheeky! Its a totally good question!

My new starter on Monday (new to NhS) was vaccinated on day 2 of employment. Once he had his employee number on day 1 it was booked. My trust have nearly done everyone so plenty of availability.

My trust is vaccinating all staff now so I would imagine you would get it straightaway here.

Also at my Trust they are vaccinating all staff. I guess you would just book an appointment on your first day and go to the soonest available appointment. I don't know if occupational health know that, I would expect so.

Thank you everyone. That's great to hear that they are vaccinating all staff now. I will ask occupational health when I speak to them. :)

I work for a pharmacy so have qualified since around 7 Jan. Had mine last week alongside other health workers. I think they're still working round everyone who qualifies and has been working throughout, but it won't do any harm to try and get your name into the system sooner rather than later.

I asked occupational health during my appointment this morning but he didn't know, he sort of implied it would be not for quite a while yet... I have passed the OH assessment but I have to speak to my new employers about measures to put in place to reduce my risk, given we are already wearing PPE and it's not a patient-facing role I'm not really sure there is anything else they will be able to suggest.