Vaccine queue jumping making me feel angry

[Snog]

SIL has been vaccinated already- she is a healthy 40 year old, works from home, no caring responsibilities.

It's made me feel surprisingly angry. I'm not clear how she managed it at this point. On a personal level I like SIL so am pleased for her but god I feel angry at the injustice.

I know some people have picked up "spare" doses but surely even the spare doses should be managed according to health priorities? Eg at least finding someone in groups 1-9 to vaccinate if not in groups 1-4.

AIBU to feel angry about this?

[quote QueenPawPaws]@TansyViolet ahhh makes sense. Finally got mine booked for next week! I'm 36 but CEV[/quote]
Brilliant news!!!

Really, realky pleased for you 👏🏻

Do you know which you're having?

@Snog

My point is it's not hard to find someone in groups 1-9 for a spare dose.

Sometimes it is actually. I work with the vulnerable groups. No way would we be able to get them to the surgery with an hours notice.

Sooner it’s in someone’s arm than in the bin.

This has happened in my family too, and my daughter who has severe asthma was really upset that a younger family member who has no health conditions was given a 'spare' vaccine by her GP dad.

However, it's still such early days and the emergence of the new vaccine, which is potentially more widely effective, has put a different perspective on things. No point in rushing to get ahead of the queue for a vaccine that may turn out to offer the poorest protection in the long run.

@SueEllenMishke

It was a "spare " dose at the end of the day

There's your answer then....

Is this going to be new stick to beat people with? I've seen a few posts on this already.
Hope it's not going to go the same way key worker/schools issue did.

A pharmacist was interviewed on Sky yesterday, his pharmacy is doing 1000 vaccines a week and will be going up to 5000 as soon as he gets enough vaccine. When asked about the "spare" doses he said it isn't a problem, they have a list of eligible people and no need to waste doses, he said they are allowed to go down a category to give it so as currently they are doing the top 4 categories I take it that means they can take people from category 5.

So it can be done without giving it to 40 year olds.

’I have the opposite rage that our hospital are forced to throw away spare doses rather than use them to start the second doses for vulnerable staff. They are being monitored to make sure no one gets a second dose( mandated nationally)’

I’ve heard of this happening too.

Administration of the vaccine is the only thing this government has got almost 100% right during the pandemic. I want all doses to be used, and if a small number of people get theirs early, better than waste.

A relative who works nhs has explained this to me. She works in local hub.

They have their list of say 100.

Expectation is 70-100 will turn up based on current take up. There is time slots. 8-12. 1-5

They have a list of next patients down who don't already have an apt. (All apts are booked 2 weeks in advance in 2 week blocks)

At end of first clinic they ring people for number of doses available on the list and invite them in for 5.30.
They then do the same at 4pm for any afternoon no shows.

She said what they were finding then is any no shows are 4pm the doses were wasted.

The hub is in a town centre and it was agreed to offer it to anyone working in town buildings and they've managed to do quite a number of supermarket, bus and taxi staff (who we have to admit are at high risk of exposure) . So basically at 5pm it's grab whoever and how ever many for any doses that would be binned.

It's certainly far better than binning it.

She said that can be anywhere from 1-10 doses a day. That's 1 hub.

Imagine how much would be wasted if this happened nationally daily.

Sometimes it is actually. I work with the vulnerable groups. No way would we be able to get them to the surgery with an hours notice.

Well the 1 - 9 groups cover over 50s, do you really think they couldn't find people who could attend, obviously some vulnerable people will have issues but plenty don't.

to tip for anyone wanting to be vaccinated and low on priority, if you volunteer for a local vaccination centre and make sure you are there at end of day you stand a high chance of eventually being vaccinated. I know a few people volunteering and any spare at end of day is given to unvaccinated volunteers. Also gets you doing something useful. If you are worried about being indoors with lots of people you can be on car parking duty!

One of the vaccines expires quickly so spares need used up by who can get there on time, rather than being dumped. You have no idea where your SIL is on the priority list. You couldn't do unless you were her health care professional. And giving it to anyone at short notice is better than it needing binned.

Our centre has been calling the local police at the end of the day and asking for them to send whoever is free for theirs. Brilliant idea. These officers, in the main, will be healthy and younger so way down the list.

OP you're being silly. I'd rather in goes in anyone than goes in the bin!

I would like them to phone the bus depot!

@vdbfamily

I have the opposite rage that our hospital are forced to throw away spare doses rather than use them to start the second doses for vulnerable staff. They are being monitored to make sure no one gets a second dose( mandated nationally) so if they cannot find anyone else to vaccinate they bin them. Every evening we get a knock on office door and I say we are all done but awaiting second dose and every evening it is a no.

That’s infuriating. What’s the consequence if you just went ahead with second doses anyway? (With the alternative being the bin)

I think they should extend this so second doses can be given to NHS staff rather than waste a spare does.

@Snog

Surely it's the case that her vaccination may have some at the cost of someone else's life?

2 options:

1. She is a health and social care worker and therefore in a priority group (whether you agree she should be or not)
2. Had she not had her vaccine it would have been thrown away.

"wastage" vaccines re given to those we can find - the alternative is we throw them away. We don't have time to make a list of the 6 people we see outside and then work out who is most priority, or to check its genuine. It is simple - we have a spare vaccine, do you want it?

@GhoulWithADragonTattoo

I think they should extend this so second doses can be given to NHS staff rather than waste a spare does.

You'd think that would be a complete no brainer wouldn't you?

But, as others have said, hospital trusts are monitoring/being monitored and saying no!

@GhoulWithADragonTattoo

I think they should extend this so second doses can be given to NHS staff rather than waste a spare does.

Hospitals are doing this. GP practices and some clinics can't risk it I guess for fear of removal of licences but I doubt they'll do that to hospitals!

Sorry that should be "my hospitals" are doing this, as in the ones in my trust. I appreciate different trusts may not do.

I suspect a big fuss will be made in the press about this very soon, action will be demanded.
And the result will be vaccine in the bin.

Let's hope not.

Agree there are many reasons why she could have got it totally legitimately and sensibly. If I was at GP for something else at 5.25pm and they offered it to me I'd say yes please and thank you so much.

@Snog

Surely it's the case that her vaccination may have some at the cost of someone else's life?

Oh for Christ's sake

Have you heard yourself?

No this is what we should be getting really angry about.

I have the opposite rage that our hospital are forced to throw away spare doses rather than use them to start the second doses for vulnerable staff. They are being monitored to make sure no one gets a second dose( mandated nationally) so if they cannot find anyone else to vaccinate they bin them. Every evening we get a knock on office door and I say we are all done but awaiting second dose and every evening it is a no.

My parents are in their 60s and they can't leave the house quickly! I once phoned my mum in a panic because I was stuck in traffic and asked her to pick up dd2 (5 minutes drive from her house) and her response was "but I don't have any shoes on"! Honestly she'd never make it for a time linked vaccine

The idea of the SIL just hanging around the vaccine centre in a shady way has really made me laugh. If anyone wants me I'll be opening the door at our local GP surgery!

I can understand in principle it should go to first vaccines first but practically on the ground waste is worse than giving a second dose or first to non priority group. I feel heartbroken for GPs throwing vaccines away rather than vaccinating their own staff 2nd dose.