Is there a way to find out which vaccination group you're in?

[MangoM]

I was wondering if there's a way to check which vaccination group you're in. I'm 38 but I think I should be group 6 as I'm on long term medication for ulcerative colitis and I receive the annual flu jab. I know that flu jab doesn't automatically mean I'd be in group 6 for the covid jab which is why I'm asking the question.

Up until now I've been advised from the hospital that I don't need to shield but am a higher risk of complications due to my prescription meds.

I know of a few people locally in their early 60s and lots of younger people on MN have said that they've been invited for their jab so it's making me worry that I'm not on the Group 6 list.

I know one option is to just wait and see, but we want to start trying for second baby and if I know I'll get the vaccine sooner rather than later, it would be worth waiting a few months as I'd be a high risk pregnancy even in normal times. But then on the flip side, we don't want to hold off and then find out that I won't be getting the vaccine until later in the year and waste all that time. Especially as DH and I aren't getting any younger.

So yeah, back to the original question. Does anyone know if there's a way to find out for definite which vaccination you fall into? That doesn't involve asking the GP as they've specifically said not to ask about vaccinations unless you've already been invited.

I rung my gp and asked

Do bear in mind those younger getting vaccinated may well be keyworkers. The spectrum for key workers is very wide :)

As you have underlying issues why can’t you ring the GP and find out?

I know they’ve said no but I think it’s perfectly reasonable to call and ask if you’re in group 6 or not. Perhaps call towards the back end of the day, after 3. My surgery are usually a bit more receptive round then

@Firkinhavinalaugh
To my knowledge younger people are not getting vaccinated because they are key workers. It’s because they’re CEV/CV not because they’re key workers
Healthcare people is different of course.

Thanks everyone, I'll try ringing them later today to ask.

@Bells3032
Was the receptionist able to tell you or did you have to ask to speak to a doctor/nurse?

receptionist told me.

@Frazzled2207
I’ve just seen and commented on a thread about it. I hadn’t realised the extent of the vaccinations and was just working on my own experience with local surgery were on 65 and CEV I think - we do have a higher aged demographic and I’m guessing if we were going at the speed we are with a lower age group we’d be doing the 16-50 .

The surgery has a wide area, but is ahead of the neighbouring one which hasn’t got to family members yet who are in the 60+ ages.

Another area I know is now on 1965-67 born age group.

I don’t think it’s a “mess” but I do think the speed of the roll out has meant that each centre gets x amount of vaccine to use? I’m probably wrong - spend most of my time making sure people are in a parking space and walking the right way round the one way system

I don’t get this postcode lottery. My brother is 67. He’s not had his yet.

But some places are doing 50 and even 40 year olds.

I’m not sure it’s postcode lottery over surgery registered with? I know my dm got hers in Jan, her BFF is two months older and wasn’t offered hers until a couple of weeks ago.

BFF decided she didn’t like the Drs surgery she and DM were registered with (who knows why) and is registered at another surgery.

The was super pissed off that DM got hers first and made all sorts of snide comments about how she just be more vulnerable and soon to depart . Both in same postcode which borders two different areas fo two different surgeries (but can be registered at either).

Ultimately dms surgery were quicker off the mark than BFF surgery.

Also I think the earlier Pfizer jabs got everyone ahead of they had the ability to keep it? Now AZ is here that can go anywhere but Pfizer can still only go to centres able to store it.

Do bear in mind those younger getting vaccinated may well be keyworkers

Where are key workers then in the priority list-I didn’t think that was a thing? Health workers, yes.

@Howshouldibehave
They’re aren’t unless they are in group 6. Though some surgeries are prioritising teachers etc for the reserve lists at the end of the day. There is no priority group for KWs (yet)

@Howshouldibehave

This was taken from the gov website so only using their language:

COVID-19 vaccination
If you’re matched to a role, you’ll be classed as a key worker for the duration of your time working in adult social care.

We’re currently vaccinating frontline health and social care workers and the most vulnerable. If you’re matched to a role, you would be included in your local COVID-19 vaccine deployment programme. Your local authority will provide more information.

I phoned and asked at about 5pm just before the surgery closed. Receptionist told me I was group 6 but couldn’t tell me why as she didn’t have access to that info. She did offer to book me in there and then which I accepted. I also asked if I could have the Pfizer and she booked me into the hospital hub rather than the surgery so I could.

I had a text from my surgery completely out of the blue to book mine.

I'm 51 and have absolutely no conditions but I am obese so I can only think that's what's put me in group 6.

My DH is older than me at nearly 60 and has diabetes and he hasn't had his text yet .

I'm guessing he has been moved up as well and will get it soon though.

I was so surprised I thought it was a scam at first.

I have a friend in her 30s with UC and she has an appointment for next week.

I emailed our surgery to ask and they texted me back. It's also on my electronic surgery medical file in patient access under 'Problems' if your practise provides those.

@Firkinhavinalaugh
Health and social care workers are indeed in a priority group (1/2 I think so already offered a jab)

Key workers includes people such as teachers, a much wider group of council workers, transport/infrastructure workers, waste disposal people, anyone working in food distribution. That’s millions of people. They are not in a priority group.

@Firkinhavinalaugh
Not forgetting police officers, firefighters etc. All key workers and in the main not getting vaccinated.

I know someone with UC who had theirs yesterday. Late 30s

As I said, just using the govs use of keyworker - not mine! Taken directly from gov.uk

www.gov.uk/guidance/short-term-paid-work-in-adult-social-care

Perhaps the govt definition of “keyworkers” is different from the general populations “keyworkers”. As I say I’ve just been using the govt definition. I’m sorry if it’s caused confusion, but it’s the most recent bit of literature I was reading as I’ve been applying for those roles (NOT to get the vaccine I might add )

• At out centre if there have been any left over, I know that the surgery have been suggesting local non healthcare “key”workers. That may well be happening elsewhere if there are no shows.

Either way, local authorities have been putting forward suggestions (as the link says at the bottom) so perhaps area demographics have been taken into account and some of those in those roles have been put forward.

I don’t knew, it was always just a suggestion and the fact that you never really know someone’s medical records unless they divulge them to you - as a volunteer i shouldnt be asking or judging as someone else has made that call

However it is undeniable that different areas seem to have different vax paths they are following and there is no doubt that no one in the other groups should be done prior to the priority groups.

I have been vaxxed but it was a case of it going in the bin or me. I was literally feet from the nurse as I had been all day. It would have been criminal to let it go in the bin IMHO. Others may disagree but this was at the end of the day after a 10 hour period of jabbing. The other one went to a local teacher who had been suggested by a couple of people.

• how is it that apple devices change the words/spelling from what you have written to their own specific words - making you look ridiculous - sorry for the spelling mistakes!

@Frazzled2207 it must be local authorities making these calls as the firefighters and the police I know have had 1st vax. The teachers have been told they are in a priority group but not told when?

We are in south east and near Kent variant when it started so perhaps this was put in the plan early on to help with that?

(Obviously that worked out well didn’t it🤦‍♀️)

Keyworkers have never been prioritised.

Carers and healthcare workers have.