Vaccine link thread?

[Directionerforever]

I was reading a thread last night that had the link to book vaccines if you were in the right category. I can’t find it now this morning, was there a problem with it? I wanted to book in laws (70’s) this morning but I don’t want to if there is an issue. They’d probably rather catch Covid than go to an ill gotten appointment.

I've been to two hospitals this week for my vaccine. Both were totally empty which 30+ staff milling about.

If you can book please do so !

Thank you. I'm not being thick just anxious that I helped rather than caused any issues for her.

Yes, just to make it 100% crystal clear this is what happens if you aren't yet eligible and try to book.

Only those who are eligible can book.

If they can book a letter has been produced

You do not need to wait for the letter to be delivered to book

@IthinkIm my comment wasn't aimed at you, you have used the link and booked the appointment correctly, It's more people who for some reason are in a fret about waiting for a letter. I perhaps should have worded it a bit nicer but I was just a bit frustrated at the same 'but I haven't got my letter' nonsense!

@MNHQ, what's the problem with the original thread? The link, info etc is perfectly legitimate. No one is 'elbowing 80 year olds' out of the way for their own selfish wants. If your LHA is ready for you/the group you're in, you can book. If not, you can't.

Here is the link for those that need it.

Very poor thinking to remove such a thread. But penis beaker can stay for ever?

When I booked for my mum I had the pick of any day and virtually any time. Slots are not getting used up as the letters are delayed.

One of my friend's dad who is eligible won't book using the link as he feels 'suspicious' about it. And I guess many others may feel the same way 🤷‍♀️

@IthinkIm

I used it to book my grandma and I've been worrying that she'll get turned away now the thread has been pulled. She's going next Friday. She's 74.

Please tell me it'll be okay.

My mum booked last night. The link hadn’t worked for her before then, it only let her book once she was eligible. Don’t panic!

I came back to Mumsnet to thank the lady who made the original thread. It allowed my cev mum to book for tomorrow. My 6 yo just cried happy tears when he found out she has an appointment. You've made our day!

Do you get the choice of the GP surgeries/hospitals or the large vaccine hubs with this service? Or is this just the service for the hubs? I'm not eligible yet, but I'm curious to know. Some information says that people can wait to be contacted by a GP if they don't want to go to the hub (some do different vaccines), but this might be the same link for all possibilities?

If it was just me @monicagellerbing I’d just book it. But I know MIL. And I know she’d rather catch the disease than do something that she ‘isn’t allowed to do’. She puts great store in Boris and ‘the rules’. I just don’t want to create a problem for her.

If it was me I’d have booked it already!

@Thimbleberries

Do you get the choice of the GP surgeries/hospitals or the large vaccine hubs with this service? Or is this just the service for the hubs? I'm not eligible yet, but I'm curious to know. Some information says that people can wait to be contacted by a GP if they don't want to go to the hub (some do different vaccines), but this might be the same link for all possibilities?

My only option was the huge hub in Norwich. I know they’re also doing jabs locally but you have to wait to be contacted for these apparently. However another friend in another area was able to book hers through the link at her locks chemist so it’s very area dependent.

It doesn't link to the GP surgeries but it does link to a choice of venues, they are not all huge hubs.

I think it depends where you are in the country. My DM was able to go book for her local one in her town, but some people on here are saying they were only offered the big venues.

I see, thanks. I was curious as I know the GP centres here tend to use Pfizer, and the hubs tend to use AstraZeneca, and I know some people have preferences due to allergies or other reasons.

My CEV DD had just booked hers through the link, I’m so relieved I could cry.

Thanks for the reassurance. This whole pandemic has turned me into a panicking fool tbh.

I booked mine thru the shared link last night.
12 hours later I got a text from my gp offering me a far more convenient local option. So I've now cancelled the first booking. The two systems seem completely separate so for a brief period before I could do the cancellation I had two appointments booked.

I posted on that thread and MN have pulled it because of "many reports"
Why? I cannot imagine why anyone would have reported the thread?
There was no secret method for ineligible people to acquire a vaccine.
There is some useful advice on another thread about how the call up works.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4149822-moving-house-and-waiting-for-Vaccine-letter-anyone-had-this?msgid=104131461

@Whichnamepls

When I booked for my mum I had the pick of any day and virtually any time. Slots are not getting used up as the letters are delayed.

My DM's letter never arrived. Her post is now only every alternate day, and the backlog of post is immense in her town.

If she hadn't used this link, she would have missed out on the vaccination that her GP had marked her eligible for, which would have been a crying shame and not what the NHS wants.

I think the sending of a letter should be backed up with a standard automated text for those patients who have given their mobile number to their GP.

If your go has your mobile number you should also get a text. I did.

@PurpleDandelions

If your go has your mobile number you should also get a text. I did.

Maybe that is your GP/health trust? IDK there was no letter or text, but she was firmly in the correct category and someone must have marked her NHS number as eligible and so the booking system worked.

I think whoever reported the old thread must be confused with the internal hospital/social care booking system that had no checks of identity or eligibility. Probably a note should have been added to the thread instead pointing out that it was a legitimate link rather than delete the thread.

Hi all

I started the threads to encourage eligible posters to book online (or via 119), as 119 told me that you don't need to wait for a letter to book, as - and I quote - "letters can go missing or get delayed and we want as many eligible people to book as soon as they can." As the other 47 posters have said (thank you all!), it was a valid NHS link which only lets you book if you are eligible.

Some people, however, took huge umbrage with it and levelled some quite nasty personal attacks at me. Especially on the thread in AIBU. I have no idea why. Perhaps they were confusing the NHS link with the 'NHS staff booking' link which some ineligible people have managed to get hold of, I don't know.

MNHQ took down the threads and said they were "investigating behind the scenes." I've emailed them, but haven't heard a word back. I think it's a huge shame as I think we managed to get 50 people booked in at last count, a few days or weeks sooner than they would have been otherwise.

If you have booked on the NHS website then I promise you - it's fine! Have a wonderful vaccination day

It will only let you book if the letter has been generated, you don't have to have received it. My mum's letter arrived today but it was dated 22nd January, our post is really slow at the moment. I looked at the link a few days ago and it was letting me book. If you are over 70 or CEV, there's no harm looking. It's not dodgy.

@Myshinynewname

I came back to Mumsnet to thank the lady who made the original thread. It allowed my cev mum to book for tomorrow. My 6 yo just cried happy tears when he found out she has an appointment. You've made our day!

Oh wow, @Myshinynewname you are SO welcome!!