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Original poster

Getting vaccinated tomorrow! Grateful but confused?

76 replies

DiscombobulatedAf · 01/02/2021 18:51

So I’m officially booked in to get my vaccine tomorrow! I received a message out of the blue and got it booked in. I’m just confused about why I’m getting it now? Sounds silly but I’m young (under 30) and not shielding so not exactly a priority. I definitely thought my mum would get it before me. Has anyone else been in this position?

OP posts:
evouk · 01/02/2021 19:53

Just go and worst case scenario you get turned away. It is odd though

Original poster
DiscombobulatedAf · 01/02/2021 19:53

It may be a mistake but at this point if I don't show up it may go In the bin. It may be selfish but I’d rather benefit from a mistake instead of seeing it go to waste

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 01/02/2021 19:57

When I asked if you are at a London clinic, I meant a London GP practice. Which would suggest you're one of the people mentioned in the Guardian article. If you are in Cardiff or Runcorn, less likely to be that error.

Original poster
DiscombobulatedAf · 01/02/2021 20:00

Ah ok, yes my gp is based in London

OP posts:
Greyingmumto3 · 01/02/2021 20:00

Mines a text message so no website address
I haven’t clicked on the link so nothing booked unlike op .
I think I’ll try calling my doctors tomorrow.

Greyingmumto3 · 01/02/2021 20:03

Sorry I didn’t see your reply before I typed.
Since I haven’t booked anything yet I won’t be wasting anyone’s time or vaccine. I’m going to call my doctor tomorrow.
I am in London so very likely it’s a mistake

Updatemate · 01/02/2021 20:03

The link is a website address. If you copy the information ext message, paste it in to WhatsApp and then open up WhatsApp web on the device with antivirus software in you can click it on there

Crampon · 01/02/2021 20:07

@evouk

Just go and worst case scenario you get turned away. It is odd though
Or burgled. Do any of you receiving these letters live alone?
gettingfedupagain · 01/02/2021 20:07

A message that says it's from NHS-no reply can be faked and even turn up in the same message string.
I've had scam text messages from "Argos" that confirmed an order I hadn't made. They had the same sender name as the genuine Argos ones I'd received and appeared in the same message string as genuine ones but it was a scam.

OP knows that this was an error, it's on her conscience if she goes ahead without trying to correct it (if it's too late to offer it to someone actually vulnerable then I'd still rather she had it than it went to waste)

CrocodilesCry · 01/02/2021 20:10

But if you're not in the age groups or CEV group to get vaccinated, you shouldn't be able to book?

It's obviously an error if not a scam. Can you call your GP in the morning?

Were you definitely on this page to make the booking?
www.nhs.uk/book-a-coronavirus-vaccination/do-you-have-an-nhs-number

Original poster
DiscombobulatedAf · 01/02/2021 20:25

No I was taken to a page that mentioned my local testing centre like a previous poster. If it’s genuine then I get vaccinated and feel better knowing I’m less of a risk to others. If it turns out to be a scam then I’ll have lost 30 minutes of my day which isn’t the end of the world

OP posts:
ScrapThatThen · 01/02/2021 20:29

Yes, just explain that you realise it might be a mistake but didn't want to waste the appointment.

Original poster
DiscombobulatedAf · 01/02/2021 20:34

Good advice @ScrapThatThen I will mention that it may be a mistake. If they decide they want to give to someone vulnerable then that’s fair enough

OP posts:
AnneElliott · 01/02/2021 21:45

I got my invite via a text message, but I'm ECV so was expecting it.

Do you get offered a flu jab?

Original poster
DiscombobulatedAf · 02/02/2021 13:09

So turns out it wasn’t a scam! Currently in the waiting area with 16 people to go before it’s my turn

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 02/02/2021 13:25

Do you work in finance for a hospital?

Wingingit15 · 02/02/2021 13:26

Did they say why you’ve been out to front of the line ?

Wingingit15 · 02/02/2021 13:30

@Wingingit15

Did they say why you’ve been out to front of the line ?
*put
28Lucy28 · 02/02/2021 13:31

Maybe you put your email address down as a contact for your mum, and the jab invite is meant for her?

Updatemate · 02/02/2021 13:35

Excellent!

nevertakeabreak · 02/02/2021 14:04

Good for you. Take the vaccine. Each person vaccinated is another who will have an extra layer of protection. I would ask further though why you?

BentBastard · 02/02/2021 15:00

OPs vaccine would only have been "wasted" if she had booked but not shown up. If she had failed to book the appointment would not be lost from the system entirely, it would have been taken by someone who actually needed it.

Sorry but as someone whose ECV parents in their 70s are still waiting you need to know that nothing would have gone to waste if you hadn't have booked, it just would have gone to someone else other than you.

Updatemate · 02/02/2021 15:35

If she had failed to book the appointment would not be lost from the system entirely, it would have been taken by someone who actually needed it.

Not necessarily. A certain number of offers to book are sent out. If all of those people failed to book an appointment because they didn't want the vaccine or they felt they weren't eligible it's highly unlikely that the booking texts sent out in the next set would be able to use all of those appointments as they'd be very short notice. The hub I work at releases appointments weekly and once you get your link to book on you can book any free appointment available we often find that the day before the next block has lots of vacant slots which remain vacant, even when we send out follow up emails say "appointments available today".

Original poster
DiscombobulatedAf · 02/02/2021 15:44

I have no idea why I was picked. I asked the woman when I was being screened but she said she has no idea and I should count my blessings. So that’s that I suppose

OP posts:
Greyingmumto3 · 02/02/2021 16:42

Just to update I checked with my gp surgery . My message is genuine . Apparently a health issue I had earlier in the year has been flagged up and makes me eligible.