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Original poster

Eligible to book on NHS vaccine website - vaccinators say queue jumper

264 replies

Summerflowers209 · 24/02/2021 10:50

My dad is 63 and had his vaccine today by booking the appointment via the NHS booking link. As of yesterday over 60s became eligible. However, the vaccinators at his appointment were not impressed and said he should not have booked as he is not over 65 and he should have waited for a letter. They said he has queue jumped. Is this right? That if it allows you to book, you shouldn't unless you receive a letter?

OP posts:
likeamillpond · 27/02/2021 10:00

Ive recently booked on the NHS site.
It's given me a vaccination date, place and time, which I've accepted and taken a screenshot of.
But, ive had no confirmation email and it's given me no reference number.
I'm worried now.
I might get there and they will say you're not on our list for the day. Maybe I shouldn't turn up and just wait for a call instead Confused
I wish I hadn't done it.

likeamillpond · 27/02/2021 10:00

I'm 58

ShaunaTheSheep · 27/02/2021 10:03

Did you get a text confirmation?
Check email spam folder?

likeamillpond · 27/02/2021 10:15

Ive checked.
There have been no texts or emails.
I only have a place, dates and times (for both doses
I'm wondering if I could phone the place up and just check if I'm on the list for that date.
I don't mind if i have to wait a couple more weeks.
I just don't fancy the embarrassment of turning up only to be turned away! and I might get some horrible person (like op's dad situation) publicly accusing me of queue jumping.

WombatChocolate · 27/02/2021 10:29

I assume you’re booked via the national booking system and probably at one of the mass hubs? Or are you saying you’ve booked using a localised system?

Can anyone verify if they received email confirmation or text or a reminder in the morning?

When you say all you have is the time, date and location, in what format have you got that info? Can you take a screenshot of it? I really dont think it would let you book if you aren’t eligible.

Unless you’ve answered questions about being a career etc inaccurately, it has let you book based on DOB, and assuming you entered it correctly, if it’s let you through, it’s fine.

Boulshired · 27/02/2021 10:31

On the nhs site you can check your booking, DP thought he was all sorted, took screenshots but never got texts/emails, he had missed his final confirm/accept button.

JabbaTheNutt · 27/02/2021 10:40

@Boulshired

On the nhs site you can check your booking, DP thought he was all sorted, took screenshots but never got texts/emails, he had missed his final confirm/accept button.
@likeamillpond My husband did just this, "booked" both doses and took screenshot But he hadn't clicked the confirm button so no reference number or email confirmation. Luckily the centre accepted his screenshot printout and gave him his shot, then he went online and booked the second dose PROPERLY. It would be safer to assume that you haven't booked and redo it tlrather than risk being turned away
JabbaTheNutt · 27/02/2021 10:43

@likeamillpond When I booked mine online, I got email and text confirmation within a minute

likeamillpond · 27/02/2021 11:08

Ok. So I must have not pressed Confirm.
So I went on the NHS gov website and went on manage my bookings and it says
You have failed to attend/book your vaccination and to book again.

WombatChocolate · 27/02/2021 11:11

Like a millpond, so did you go through and manage to do it?
Interested to know if the system is allowing 58 year olds through now too. Please let us know. Hope it works for you.

NotSorry · 27/02/2021 11:46

@WombatChocolate

I assume you’re booked via the national booking system and probably at one of the mass hubs? Or are you saying you’ve booked using a localised system?

Can anyone verify if they received email confirmation or text or a reminder in the morning?

When you say all you have is the time, date and location, in what format have you got that info? Can you take a screenshot of it? I really dont think it would let you book if you aren’t eligible.

Unless you’ve answered questions about being a career etc inaccurately, it has let you book based on DOB, and assuming you entered it correctly, if it’s let you through, it’s fine.

Husband has his this afternoon and we haven’t had a reminder
DinosaurDiana · 27/02/2021 11:49

My DH is 59 and registered as a carer with the GP. It won’t let me book him.

Puddstalk · 28/02/2021 09:32

I booked an appointment after reading this thread - I’m 60 - now worried I will be turned away....wondering if I should cancel?

WombatChocolate · 28/02/2021 09:39

Don’t cancel.
Check you’ve got a confirmation message and take it with you on your phone. They are unlikely to ask to see it but you’ll have it if needed.
It won’t let you book unless eligible.
Assuming you didn’t declare yourself a career when you’re not or lie about your DOB, it really will only let you through when you qualify. Go and get it and help the queue move forwards.

sunnydaleslayer · 28/02/2021 09:40

My mum and dad (both 60) did the same and had no issues at all. If the government have opened up the link to over 60s then the staff at the vaccination centres should keep abreast of this and not be so rude.

WombatChocolate · 28/02/2021 09:44

Oh and if in doubt (or others) look at nhs England vaccine site...it’s been updated today to say 60-63s are eligible with lots of comments from Stephen Powis.

It says people will get letters but you dont have to wait for a letter and can book on the national system.

It would be good if they updated the front page on the actual booking site to no longer say 64 and over, but that always seems to happen last. It’s probably a way to stagger the bookings as otherwise all 60-63 would try at once, but if word gets out gradually, it is more manageable for the system...that’s the only thing I can think, because that front page which days ‘you can only use this system if you are eligible and ages X ‘ is nearly always behind the reality of what the system is actually allowing.

ancientgran · 28/02/2021 09:45

@unmarkedbythat

Being a vaccinator is a really good thing, I'm grateful to people who are doing it. But they are not gatekeepers, they are not there to pass moral judgement and argue with people who have been able to book. If they had concerns they should raise them with their line management, not be unpleasant and rude to people who have booked in perfectly legitimately.
A friend of mine got questioned at length by a vaccinator. He is young and healthy but works in health care. He said he wasn't outright told he didn't qualify but lots of questions and umms and tuts and made him feel uncomfortable. He had an appointment so no need for it. Give some people a little bit of power and they go mad with it.
Soontobe60 · 28/02/2021 09:48

@Puddstalk

I booked an appointment after reading this thread - I’m 60 - now worried I will be turned away....wondering if I should cancel?
I went for mine yesterday - no issues at all. I’m 61. There were lots of people younger than me and no one was questioned at the door.
Puddstalk · 28/02/2021 10:06

Thanks for the replies - they have helped and I now feel better about going - I have the confirmation email and text.

Puddstalk · 28/02/2021 10:51

Thanks for this - just took a screen shot of the NHS page to take with me just in case!

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 28/02/2021 10:55

If money is no issue....

Meet the super-rich skipping the queue for a vaccine vacation

www.standard.co.uk/insider/are-the-superrich-skipping-the-vaccine-queue-b921226.html

OneEpisode · 28/02/2021 10:57

I queue jumped DH. I had a text (GP) and responded to it (clicked through) and was vaccinated same day. He had a letter from the National service which took ages to arrive. He is in a higher priority group than me but I’ve had my vaccine and his isn’t till later today. It’s just the way it is. They are using up the vaccine as fast as they receive it, and fill in spaces with people that can come, so none is wasted, that’s important.

Thiswontendwell · 28/02/2021 11:14

I think it must vary depending on where you live. My DB has severe learning disabilities. His GP knows that he should be given the vaccine now and says he’s on their list but nothing yet despite my (polite) requests....
But DB is also 60 - so I have been trying to book him thru the NHS website. And it keeps saying he’s not eligible.
It’s driving me mad! I have had the vaccine (frontline NHS clinician) - indeed I have second dose in three weeks. My sister (aged 63 who is extremely safely WFH) has had hers this morning in London. But my gorgeous DB with multiple carers, some health issues etc. is still waiting!!!! (In NE England)
To slightly quote Jo Whiley - I would give up my second jab in a heartbeat!!!

WaitingForNormality · 28/02/2021 13:33

@WombatChocolate are you able to link to that page? Parents booked for tues (early 60s) and still fretting a bit that they'll be turned away and I think sharing this nhs page you mentioned would really help alleviate their cocnerns!

Needabrewnow · 28/02/2021 13:39

[quote WaitingForNormality]@WombatChocolate are you able to link to that page? Parents booked for tues (early 60s) and still fretting a bit that they'll be turned away and I think sharing this nhs page you mentioned would really help alleviate their cocnerns! [/quote]
@WaitingForNormality www.england.nhs.uk/2021/02/nhs-invites-people-aged-60-plus-to-get-life-saving-covid-vaccination/