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Covid

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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:

MRex · 04/02/2021 10:11

Even if they didn't ask for ID (which they did for DP and DPIL), do you really think they wouldn't notice a 30 year old pretending to be 80? It's a matter of months for everyone to get vaccinated, there wouldn't be any point to this.

LemonTT · 04/02/2021 10:16

All sites were asked to ensure they were doing checks this week. Everyone cognisant that journos are swarming around ready to pick holes to grab a few headlines and reader froths.

It is a mass programme, putting in more and more barriers to satisfy the DM will be counterproductive

That being said they can do checks on staff group eligibility and I hope they take action against the pisstakers.

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 10:21

I also think someone would have to be quite devious to get a vaccine fraudulently. They'd have to know when the appointment was get there before you too or book an appointment before you and know if/when you'd been contacted and other details about you plus it would have to be believable they were in the same demographic.

Original poster

Jennyfi · 04/02/2021 10:24

@MRex

I think they'd certainly notice 30 year old Queue-Jumping Quintilla pretending to be 80 (which I guess nobody's done so far!) but with younger age groups being vaccinated soon it could be a problem. They might not notice her pretending to be her 45-year-old neighbour, or pretending to be 30-year-old Jane Bloggs who's a teacher or whatever criteria might be used to order the remaining groups.

I think it would be awful - and pointless - for somebody to do this, but we've already seen that some people have tried to jump the queue by illegally using the NHS staff booking link etc. I'm not really bothered about somebody queue-jumping, but more about what happens to the person whose ID they stole? If your records say you've been vaccinated, I doubt they're going to give you another jab just because you say that wasn't you.

(Although, as @DinosaurDiana pointed out, the second-dose letter would go to the actual intended person, not to Queue-Jumping Quintilla!)

OP posts:

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 10:32

I was quite surprised I was offered a priority vaccine really. The explanation was that it was because I've had cancer. I'm not overly invested in it but then I've had cancer so I appreciate I've a somewhat different perception of risk compared to a lot of people. My reaction to a phone call in the evening was 'Wow! I did not expect that. Yes, I'm available at that time'(which was pretty short notice).i had been mothering before about the amount of research and counter indications but I had no strong feeling one way or another. When I was offered it I felt like I'd won some sort of lottery and though, 'Sod it!' to any reservations I might have had. Felt the same way about a lot of my cancer treatment really, the side effects can be terrible, obviously, so it's all about taking big risks in orders the mortal danger of the cancer. Similarly with Covid. But if something happens such as my vaccine been taken from me and me forfitting it I'd muse about it perhaps being beneficial to me somehow as in I might have reacted badly if I'd had it at that time.

DenisetheMenace · 04/02/2021 10:34

Happy to be corrected but don’t you need a written invitation to book online, be that letter, e-mail or text.
Sufficient proof?

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 10:36

Sorry, about the typos in my above post. Want to say, though, I think in life there are times we often get through things by the skin of out teeth! I'm not about to worry about people taking vaccines from me fraudulently.

DoctorYang · 04/02/2021 10:42

I had to take photographic ID to get mine plus proof of employment.

Original poster

Jennyfi · 04/02/2021 10:45

@pensivepigeon - I'm glad you did get your vaccine, and I think that's a very good way to look at things!

There are so many questions with a mass rollout like this - like what happens to people without photo ID - and I might be worrying needlessly. I hope I am!

(@DenisetheMenace if you're in an eligible group but your letter hasn't arrived yet, you can make your own booking online. If you're not in an eligible group it doesn't let you book. I think the service is there to allow for people whose letter got lost in the post etc!)

OP posts:

MRex · 04/02/2021 10:46

Most people so far seem to have had a text or phonecall. DH doesn't look female and would be called up before me, so I'm also not concerned about anyone pretending to be me.

Bbq1 · 04/02/2021 10:58

I needed photo Id and my NHS number so you thankfully can't fake your identity. What a horrible thingti do.

shinynewapple2021 · 04/02/2021 11:03

I was vaccinated due to my job and I had to show my employees letter and work ID .

HunterHearstHelmsley · 04/02/2021 11:04

@OppsUpsSide

You don’t need your NHS number to book online

Depends on the area. Where I live I did need my NHS number and couldn't progress my booking without it.

LindaEllen · 04/02/2021 11:06

@CrunchyCarrot

Hmm not great for those of us without photo ID!

Everyone should have some form of photo ID. You might need it for many reasons. It's pretty irresponsible not to have some.

Xenia · 04/02/2021 11:12

I think you might need an NHS number for one which most people don't tell others so it is not as commonly known as your date of birth. Not everyone has photoID particularly a lot of older people with no driving licence or passport like my neighbour.

The Government said it would do everyone over the age even if illegally here I think so I am not even 100% sure you need an NHS number to get one.

Loads of people have no photo ID as they don't drive or go abroad and why should they have it? It is a human rights issue that you don't need it in the UK by law. We are free people not state controlled chattels.

JulesJules · 04/02/2021 11:26

I had my first dose yesterday, no id needed. I'd booked online, and it said you'd need the booking no. but didn't mention that you would need your NHS no. too. I had to get mine via text while I was waiting as I hadn't brought it with me.

Having said that, the old man in front of me hadn't got his NHS no and had actually come on the wrong day as well, but they still gave him the vaccination.

gisbons · 04/02/2021 12:49

@HunterHearstHelmsley The NHS booking website is a national site and you do not need your NHS number to use it.

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 12:55

@gisbons

The NHS booking website is a national site and you do not need your NHS number to use it.

But let's say someone has managed to book a test in your name before you have. It's going to be found out isn't it? You'd complain to the relevant body and get your vaccine.

Ilovemaisie · 04/02/2021 12:56

Really you could just say you are someone else for any medical related appointment as you don't have to show id at the doctors or hospital.

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 13:03

@Ilovemaisie I know, this went through my mind when I was having treatment for breast cancer. But then I thought who would choose to have my treatment voluntarily unless the had exactly the same thing wrong with them? Treatments are tailored to the individual even mass vaccinations to an extent. Imagine you had an allergic reaction, you would have to be fraudulent again to get that treated.

Lysistratathereindeer · 04/02/2021 13:11

@LindaEllen So the estimated 4 million people in the UK without photo id (as it's not required here!) should be expected to fork out £75 for a passport to get the vaccine? Do you realise how ridiculous that sounds and how unaffordable that is for the many people who don't have one as they can't afford to go abroad?

CrunchyCarrot · 04/02/2021 13:12

@LindaEllen Everyone should have some form of photo ID. You might need it for many reasons. It's pretty irresponsible not to have some.

Thanks for the unwanted judgement.

I find it very hard to get any because I am largely house-bound due to disability. I was hoping to go out to get a photo done last year just before the first lockdown as I couldn't open another bank account with my partner unless I had ID. I don't drive and my passport expired long ago. So unfortunately that got put on hold.

TeeBee · 04/02/2021 13:24

Those without photo ID, you can apply for a citizen card.

pensivepigeon · 04/02/2021 13:26

@CrunchyCarrot, I think the NHS, thankfully, are generally aware of this issue amongst different demographics. A lot of patients will be in the same boat. I'm assuming you've had no ID issues concerning NHS treatment, though?

CrunchyCarrot · 04/02/2021 13:38

@pensivepigeon I'm assuming you've had no ID issues concerning NHS treatment, though?

Good point, I haven't had any issues with treatment. I'm sure vaccinators have to make some kind of provision for those with no photo ID.

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