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

[Summerflowers209]

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?

Thanks so much for posting this OP. Got my mum booked in for hers Saturday along with my DH who receives carers allowance for taking care of you (also now allowed to book on the link).

DH booked in for Saturday - he's 61 with diabetes and high blood pressure and overweight

It would only let him with his NHS number though - would not allow him to proceed just using name, date of birth and post code

How did the vaccinators know he doesn't have another reason that makes him eligible earlier than his age group in general anyway?

Thanks for the link.
It clearly says you must be 64 or above - I'm only 61 so assume I should wait?

@RelaisBlu it's up to you, however it is likely that you are able to proceed with a booking should you try, and are therefore deemed eligible in the system. Personally, I feel it is better to book when deemed eligible in the system to speed things up for people in the queue behind you, as well as attend a mass vaccination centre and leave GP-led services for vulnerable people, and reduce the administrative burden waiting for a letter.

I had a text from my GP asking me to book which I did. I then went to my appointment with id and my nhs number. They just took my name then waved me through!

@RelaisBlu

Thanks for the link. It clearly says you must be 64 or above - I'm only 61 so assume I should wait?

From all the other threads about this it seems that the thing to do is try to book, if computer says yes you proceed, if computer says no you simply check every day until it says yes.

I've tried a couple of times out of interest, it only takes a few seconds

OK thanks - my DH is booking one as he's 64 so perhaps I should try too!

When you click the link you sent it says you are eligable if you are 64 and over...

• eligible even!

@Monkeymilkshake

When you click the link you sent it says you are eligable if you are 64 and over...

as others have already said, try it even if you aren't over 64. It seems like the front page isn't being updated as fast as the back office systems.

They're wrong - the site only works if your NHS number is eligible nationally.

I booked mine as I got a shielding letter based on my medical history even though my GP hadn't put me in the high risk category.

@Monkeymilkshake

When you click the link you sent it says you are eligable if you are 64 and over...

If you are not eligible you can't book. I wanted to book to go to the hub as its next door to where I work but had to book through GP link. So if it let's you book you are eligible.

The blurb on the front page of the website is usually behind in terms of who is actually allowed to book.

That's ridiculous. They didn't even ask me and I'm 36 and was the youngest there by about 40 years!

Unless you are eligible the online booking form will not let you book so he was correct and they were not.

How odd.

I am aware of many people younger than 65 that have had their vaccines - care workers, people who are CEV or CV and I've not heard of anyone querying why they have a vaccine appointment or queue jumping. If this really was a vaccinatory then report them since they are wrong and also unprofessional - was it just one of those social media posts though where people guess and comment rather than at an 'actual' vaccine centre.

I am a carer in my 40s and I booked yesterday. I did not know my NHS number but the site let me book anyway. The site also has no proof I’m a carer.

PS

The NHS system won't let you book unless you are in a correct group. Under 65's can book on the system - I booked by adult son who is CV and he is 21 years old. No problem at all.
At the vaccine centre there were 4 vaccinators and only him in so lots of free slots - I WISH EVERYONE IN THE TOP 6 GROUPS WOULD CLICK THE LINK EACH DAY TO SEE IF THEY CAN BOOK YET to use the appointments up...empty slots means longer to work through the lists...

@Springingintospring

I posted on fb to tell people group 7 could now book and most were grateful for info but got a few snooty responses too. Some people seem to think we should vaccinate every single group 6 person before we move onto the next group, even if it meant massive delays in the rollout! Everyone in all priority groups are going to be done in the next few weeks anyway.

Unless they've changed the coding, you can only book via GP for group 6, so I think the plan is to open up the online booking for group7 and get them to travel to a further hub , so leaving GPs to get on with Group 6 more locally. Also every Group 7 person vaxxed is indirectly helping those in G6 by reducing spread

Did they give him the shot despite calling him names?

Mistakes are bound to happen with the guidance changing so fast and so regularly, I suppose but there’s no excuse to be rude.

At least your dad’s story has now meant several MNers (and however many lurkers) now now they are eligible to book under 60+ criteria. So you can tell him some good came of it!

@RelaisBlu

Thanks for the link. It clearly says you must be 64 or above - I'm only 61 so assume I should wait?

I know some 61 years who have been able to book. It's changing daily

@RelaisBlu

Thanks for the link. It clearly says you must be 64 or above - I'm only 61 so assume I should wait?

Are you a carer - do you get carer's allowance? Are you CEV? You don't have to be over 64 to book on this. "You can use this service if ANY of the following apply:

you are aged 64 or over
you have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
you are an eligible frontline health worker
you are an eligible frontline social care worker
you are eligible for Carer's Allowance – find out more about Carer's Allowance on GOV.UK"

Op the vaccination centre were out of order. Your Dad was eligible to book and did so. End of. They shouldn't then he questioning whether people should be there. Would they prefer he left and the vac got wasted or even that they just had spare slots and so the process was slower?

@MaudesMum

I've just booked in for Monday, and I'm not quite 60 yet...

Will you be turning 60 this year? Someone on another thread was suggesting that they calculate your age based on your year of birth only - if true then anyone born in 1961 would now be eligible.