Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

Surprised with the vaccine text! Any advice is much appreciated.

62 replies

2boysand1princess · 12/02/2021 18:20

So I’m 40. Healthy BMI, mild asthma (more childhood asthma which only fares up with a bad cold/flu and easily fixed with inhalers)
I work in education, but not a classroom teacher or TA. I’m a consultant in a very large academy.
So, I got my text! Feel bad as mum and dad still not had their vaccines yet. Both under 70 and no health conditions.
In my area lots of teachers have been or are being vaccinated. My son’s school staff have all been done. They all got the Pfizer though. I’ve been invited to my GP surgery, so expect will be given the Oxford.
2 quick questions;
Do you think I’ve been offered it because I work in schools or because I’m registered as asthmatic and always offered the flu vaccine (never actually had the flu jab though)
And lastly, those of you who have had the Oxford vaccine, what were your side effects? Bit nervous as last time I had a vaccination was when I was a kid!
Thanks in advance Flowers

OP posts:
UserID779 · 12/02/2021 18:23

I could have written this exact post! I have very mild asthma too but I’m otherwise healthy and under the age of 50.

I was very surprised too.

UserID779 · 12/02/2021 18:24

Also I am never even offered the flu vaccination.

Br1ll1ant · 12/02/2021 18:26

My DP had the pfizer at their GP, so don’t assume it’ll be Oxford?

Incrediblytired · 12/02/2021 18:28

Sounds like asthma, which is massively varying by area...some people with very mild asthma being offered and others been told that if they haven’t recently been hospitalised they can’t have it...it seems a postcode lottery.

I’m pleased for you but cross with the government for the way they are treating asthmatics

imnottoofussed · 12/02/2021 18:31

My gps is currently contacting over 40's who have pre existing conditions and eligible for the flu jab. So they seem to be ahead of the national average. Maybe not as many people in the higher categories in your area.

AnneLovesGilbert · 12/02/2021 18:32

I was speaking to my sister who lives abroad and told me 4 of her friends, early 30s, no risk factors as far as she knows and they’ve been friends since primary, have had it already as they’re teachers. I told her that wasn’t a criteria yet in England but she was adamant. Odd.

Lovestonap · 12/02/2021 18:34

My mum's booked for next Thursday 😊 she was one of the biggest doom mongers going, predicting that she wouldn't be getting a vaccine til May time. Hah!

Tigger001 · 12/02/2021 18:35

It is probably due to your asthma and you being on the flu jab list.

It's good news though and don't feel bad, just pop along and get it done, I didn't even feel it and luckily no side effects.

Lovestonap · 12/02/2021 18:36

God sorry, thought this was the good news thread Blush

Ch3rish · 12/02/2021 18:37

@AnneLovesGilbert

I was speaking to my sister who lives abroad and told me 4 of her friends, early 30s, no risk factors as far as she knows and they’ve been friends since primary, have had it already as they’re teachers. I told her that wasn’t a criteria yet in England but she was adamant. Odd.
Other countries may have different criteria, it's quite possible that in some places some professions are bumped up the order.

Are you doubting your sister or does she not believe that teachers aren't a priority group in England?

From all i've read different places are doing things slightly differently and are at different stages on the priority list. It seems that you can expect comparability across all of the hundreds(thousands?) Of vaccine centres

pipsqueakbollock · 12/02/2021 18:38

Lol. I came here tonight to write your post but you beat me to it.
I got the text today. 44, healthy BMI, allergy asthma but I take Fostair. I think it might be linked to the asthma pump ?

I also get offered Flu jab (and take it) every year. I also work in a secondary school but not teaching.

I am so relieved as I am a single mum and I hate going into work. The kids break all the rules! Zero details of vaccine at work though.

I haven't even read about the vaccine as I thought I would be getting it next year !

Original poster
2boysand1princess · 12/02/2021 18:40

I’m always offered the flu vaccine, yet I’ve never taken the offer up as never felt at risk of complications from the flu.
I’m just shocked I’ve been invited for the covid vaccine. I’m even more shocked at how many teachers have been offered it in my area already, which of course is a good thing!
Excited, but nervous!
Is it true that there seems to be more side effects associated with the Oxford vaccine?

OP posts:
xmouse · 12/02/2021 18:41

I'm priority group 9. Got call from GP yesterday and having jab tomorrow.🤷‍♀️ I have no other health conditions eg asthma. I think they must just working down list to fill the spaces ASAP. And so Boris can meet his target of course!

Chloemol · 12/02/2021 18:43

My guess is because you are registered as asthmatic. They are doing cohort 6 now 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions

Original poster
2boysand1princess · 12/02/2021 18:44

Oh I’m so glad that you have also received the text!
Sounds like there’s a few of us now in our situation (young, low risk, but mild asthma and work in schools)
Weird thing is I don’t even use a steroid inhaler. Only have a blue ventolin inhaler just in case I need it which is rare. That’s why I’m thinking I’ve mainly been offered the vaccine due to my job.

OP posts:
Lemons1571 · 12/02/2021 18:45

DH is a teacher, CV but not group 6, late 40’s and no sign of a vaccine yet. It’s fine for now, but I’m very scared if he’s still unvaccinated when all the kids are sent back into classrooms Sad

Hobbes8 · 12/02/2021 18:45

It’s probably the asthma putting you (not necessarily correctly) in cohort 6, which a lot of places are starting to invite. GPs aren’t the best source of info for what job people do - if the govt ever decide to vaccinate teachers they’ll presumably go via the local authority to collate the info on who is eligible, as they have for social care.

I work in healthcare and know lots of people who have had the vaccine - mostly v mild side effects. Go for it!

Original poster
2boysand1princess · 12/02/2021 18:46

My DS school staff have all been offered it, and not all have asthma. That’s a primary school. I work in secondaries.

OP posts:
notreallybotheredaboutausernam · 12/02/2021 18:47

This is great, the more people vaccinated the better. However it does annoy me a bit (the organisation of it, not OP or anyone else receiving it), as my DP hasn't had it yet. He's a nurse in a hospital. And yes, he does work sometimes on covid wards. What are they playing at?

NoKingDingaLingTitsInAbsentia · 12/02/2021 18:52

This is good news! There's another thread about covid jabs for asthmatics and a few have just started getting notifications.

NoKingDingaLingTitsInAbsentia · 12/02/2021 18:53

@notreallybotheredaboutausernam

This is great, the more people vaccinated the better. However it does annoy me a bit (the organisation of it, not OP or anyone else receiving it), as my DP hasn't had it yet. He's a nurse in a hospital. And yes, he does work sometimes on covid wards. What are they playing at?
Has your DP tried booking himself online? It asks if you are in healthcare. I wouldn't necessarily wait for my workplace to sort it....well, I'm not that patient Grin
Original poster
2boysand1princess · 12/02/2021 18:53

Yeah, that’s not acceptable. His risk is obviously very great. I do think it varies so much on the area you are in. Could he call his GP and enquire when it’s his turn? He may have been overlooked or not added to the list. I personally would chase it up as there seems to be plenty of vaccines about.

OP posts:
DavidsSchitt · 12/02/2021 18:54

"I’ve been invited to my GP surgery, so expect will be given the Oxford."

Our surgeries are giving out Pfizer

I've got a heart condition and not been contacted yet Sad

Original poster
2boysand1princess · 12/02/2021 18:59

This one of the reasons I feel so guilty. I really hope you get the vaccine very soon.
My parents are 64 and 67 and I feel they should be getting it before me, but they still haven’t been called either.

OP posts:
notreallybotheredaboutausernam · 12/02/2021 19:03

@2boysand1princess

Yeah, that’s not acceptable. His risk is obviously very great. I do think it varies so much on the area you are in. Could he call his GP and enquire when it’s his turn? He may have been overlooked or not added to the list. I personally would chase it up as there seems to be plenty of vaccines about.
It's done through work. He has the code to book but there aren't enough slots. We've been told not to ring our gps. I'm not actually sure if he's registered at one actually!