Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Proof of ID at vaccination?

63 replies

Jennyfi · 04/02/2021 06:52

If eligible people can book their appointments via the link on the NHS site with only a DOB, postcode and name, what's to stop somebody from booking using someone else's name and "taking" that person's vaccination?

So, for example, suppose I know that "Mary Smith" next door to me hasn't been for her vaccination yet. I also happen to know her date of birth, because Mary - like most people - doesn't treat that as super secret. I go online and book in the name of "Mary Smith", using her DOB and postcode so that I can jump the queue (this is an example only! Of course I wouldn't, but somebody else might).

When I turn up to the booked appointment, how will they check whether I'm really Mary Smith or not? What happens when the real Mary Smith tries to book a few days later and finds that her records say she's already been vaccinated?

I hope they would ask for photo ID or some other proof at the appointment. Would Mary Smith be stuck never being able to get the vaccine otherwise, because her records say she's already had it?

OP posts:
toomanyplants · 04/02/2021 06:59

They asked me for photographic identification, I had driving licence with me.

ApolloandDaphne · 04/02/2021 07:05

I was told to take ID with me although they didn't ask to see it.

TeaAndBisquits · 04/02/2021 07:06

When I signed up and booked mine, I needed to provide my NHS number and also take valid photo ID.

Northernsoullover · 04/02/2021 07:07

I forgot my ID. I still managed to get my vaccine but I had to show my bank card and answer loads of questions.

Riapia · 04/02/2021 07:08

To book online you need your NHS number.

CrunchyCarrot · 04/02/2021 07:09

Hmm not great for those of us without photo ID!

inquietant · 04/02/2021 07:09

They wouldn't be insured if they didn't check it was the right person, they could be sued if someone had a reaction for example.

OppsUpsSide · 04/02/2021 07:09

You don’t need your NHS number to book online

Original poster
Jennyfi · 04/02/2021 07:11

I hope they do start asking to see it, although I realise this will probably slow things down a bit. While it probably isn't easy to impersonate 80-year-old Mary Smith, when they open the vaccines up to other groups I can see people trying to defraud the system and jump the queue.

It's not so much the queue jumping I'm bothered about, but that people might be stuck in a limbo of not being able to get the vaccine. They haven't tested whether it's safe to give additional doses, have they? So if your records say you got it - but in fact you didn't - they won't be able to take your word for that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jennyfi · 04/02/2021 07:13

Oops, x-posted, it sounds as though they are asking to see it! Although as @CrunchyCarrot says, it's not great for someone without any photo ID then.

OP posts:
PinkTonic · 04/02/2021 07:55

@OppsUpsSide

You don’t need your NHS number to book online
I needed mine at the vaccination centre.
skylarkdescending · 04/02/2021 07:57

Not first hand but in my area there were reports of people booking and receiving jabs via a council link even though they weren't in the priority group yet 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ilikewinter · 04/02/2021 07:58

I needed my NHS number and photo id, plus proof of employment at the vaccination centre.

Wankerchief · 04/02/2021 08:00

I don't have photo id nor do many other people.
Should we not be allowed it?

DinosaurDiana · 04/02/2021 08:02

We are not checking ID at the vaccination centres.
But if you did this you wouldn’t get called back for your second vaccine, Mary would.

peridito · 04/02/2021 08:08

Perfectly simple to get NHS number on line

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/

no ID requested when had mine

ifonly4 · 04/02/2021 08:11

I qualified through work and the system I worked with (vaccinating both healthcare and elderly) I was asked to take my NHS card and either work badge or payslip. I had to show both forms of ID before I was vaccinated.

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 08:16

My priority appointment was arranged on the phone. My GP surgery called me. So someone else would have to know exactly when it was to take my appointment. If you make an appointment on receiving a letter/email someone else getting your appointment would have to involve intercepting your post/email.

AlisonWhatsTheMatter · 04/02/2021 08:24

The paperwork asked for photo ID but I was never asked to show it at the hospital. I just needed to give the nurse the QR code which was on the confirmation email, she then asked me name, date of birth and address.

The 11 week appointment was written on a card and confirmation email sent through immediately.

mootymoo · 04/02/2021 09:07

Here they are checking id

Rillington · 04/02/2021 09:11

No ID checking when I went for mine or when my parents went to their appointments at a separate centre.

gisbons · 04/02/2021 09:16

@OppsUpsSide

You don’t need your NHS number to book online
No, you don’t.

You can input your NHS number or your name, sex, DOB and postcode.

At the vaccination itself you need your booking reference and sometimes your NHS number.

teenagetantrums · 04/02/2021 09:42

I wasn't asked for any I'd.

covetingthepreciousthings · 04/02/2021 10:06

What if you don't have photo ID? What are they accepting instead?

Rillington · 04/02/2021 10:07

I was just asked my name and date of birth. Not asked for address or NHS number or booking reference number.

Swipe left for the next trending thread