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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:
Lansonmaid · 24/02/2021 13:33

When I looked at the booking app I got the message that I had missed my first appointment and had to book again so it implies I should have had a letter or text but haven’t received anything. Very confuzzled

ajandjjmum · 24/02/2021 13:33

Should say no lies were involved! There is a box to tick to say that you are not an NHS frontline works, nor CEV.

Hurtandupset2 · 24/02/2021 13:33

I had this. Went to the doctor about something and whilst talking he realised I was in the wrong group as they didn't have all my meds on their file, and I was able to show the letter I received from NHS England to shield.

He apologised and said I should've already been vaccinated and managed to book me an appt for the same day.

Got there and the staff running it refused to do it saying my name wasn't on their system and that I was too young to qualify for it (I'm nearly 50).

I explained that I'd come straight from the doctors and that he had booked it an hour before whilst I was there at the surgery and that they were welcome to ring them (their own 2nd site) to confirm.

They then said there weren't enough vaccines as they opened them in packs of 10 and there were only a few left so I'd have to come back another day as they didn't want to open a new pack, even though the site was open for 4 more hours after my lunchtime appt.

I said how were they able to do the 3 other people behind me with appt times after mine then and they said it was because they had appts.

I eventually got it but they made me feel awful about it and whilst I was waiting around afterwards at least 10 more people came and went, so it was nothing to do with not wanting to waste the vaccines, which I'd have understood if it was short before they were closing.

Steppedonalego · 24/02/2021 13:36

Just booked - 63.

feellikeanalien · 24/02/2021 13:37

I'm a carer for DD and under 60. I went on to the website yesterday and it allowed me to book at one of two centres. They are both over an hour's drive away but the website showed that the third centre which is much nearer to me could only be booked by those who had received a letter.

I

BanditoShipman · 24/02/2021 13:38

I’ve just had text to book, and booked. I’m in my mid 40s. Never had a shielding letter, only thing I can think of is I had tests couple of months back at gps that showed I was pre diabetic. I’m not a carer, no shielding relatives.

Bit worried why I have been texted now.

MrsFezziwig · 24/02/2021 13:41

@Lansonmaid

I am a bit worried about being considered a queue jumper, I’m 62 and I appear to be able to book at a vaccination hub near me. The front page says you should wait to hear from the NHS if you don’t fit in one of the groups but one of my friends reckons 60-64s are being called forward in Cornwall. Should I book or not?
Please book! It seems the big vaccination hubs are undersubscribed so if you are flexible that keeps things moving along there and frees GP-led spaces for those who have mobility or transport issues.

And the website front page never seems to keep up with the situation on the ground.

Ch3rish · 24/02/2021 13:44

@BanditoShipman

I’ve just had text to book, and booked. I’m in my mid 40s. Never had a shielding letter, only thing I can think of is I had tests couple of months back at gps that showed I was pre diabetic. I’m not a carer, no shielding relatives.

Bit worried why I have been texted now.

There've been a few threads about diabetes related isses bumping you up the list, I don't have any of those so haven't read the threads in detail but have a search and I'm sure you'll find lots of info
lunapeace · 24/02/2021 13:46

Would my mum be able to book if she's not 'vulnerable' but age 63?

Original poster
Summerflowers209 · 24/02/2021 13:46

@lunapeace yes.

OP posts:
treeblossomout · 24/02/2021 13:47

@BanditoShipman

I’ve just had text to book, and booked. I’m in my mid 40s. Never had a shielding letter, only thing I can think of is I had tests couple of months back at gps that showed I was pre diabetic. I’m not a carer, no shielding relatives.

Bit worried why I have been texted now.

I think it is the new QCovid assessment tool being used. I think they are going to use this to deal with the millions of unvaccinated adults still to go without just dividing it up by ages, so that the most at risk get it before the less at risk. I don't think it means that you are CEV. Just a way to prioritise the millions left to be vaccinated.
SooMoony · 24/02/2021 13:49

Someone I work with (NHS) shared a link on social media and everyone who booked through that link were denied the vaccination. The link was for NHS staff only but for some reason- a glitch, I'm assuming - anyone could book for a time slot. Cue some very annoyed people and one NHS worker facing a disciplinary for sharing a link he shouldn't have.

Onestep2021 · 24/02/2021 13:50

Out GP told us letters were getting held up in the post etc and to just use the link.
When I did it for my parents with both of them there were slots available as of that afternoon and the following few days. These weren’t slots that were going to be filled by people receiving a letter that same day. Everyone who gets a letter must surely have 48hrs notice of their appointment. These slots were all just open slots.
My mum asked when at one of these busy london centres and the lady confirmed that they are nowhere near 100% capacity. They do long days etc but there are free slots every day.

lunapeace · 24/02/2021 13:51

@Summerflowers209 thank you.

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 24/02/2021 13:51

BTW
Most of the above disccusion applies to England.
Booking in other nations might well be different

Original poster
Summerflowers209 · 24/02/2021 13:54

@SooMoony that's a shame but not relevant to this thread as the link used: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
Is a national public booking link recommended for use by the government in press meetings etc.

OP posts:
ListeningQuietly · 24/02/2021 14:06

I just tried to book with that link
and it did not let me
which is correct

Smileyoriley · 24/02/2021 14:14

The system let me book at the weekend for a large local vaccine hub when the website stated 65 and over, even though that is a couple of months away for me. By the time I went to my allotted appointment yesterday the website said over 64s( which it still does and I am). I got the 3rd degree when I arrived at the hub as to how I was able to book. I stood my ground and was waved through thankfully. What was more frustrating was that I was vaccinated before my appointment time as it was so quiet!
All very strange! I did not want to make a scene but I really think the system needs to be more joined up!

RickiTarr · 24/02/2021 14:14

@Ch3rish

Another triumph of government IT by the sounds of things

You can blame the government for many things @RickiTarr but they aren't responsible for all the people who deliberately lie to book slots, that's why they are meant to check the ID of certain groups when they turn up

I was kind of assuming the patients in these stories (or at least most of them) were putting in accurate information and being granted appointments despite being ineligible.

“I told a pack of lies to the Covid vaccine booking page, and my fraud was successful” would be a completely different thread wouldn’t it?

Original poster
Summerflowers209 · 24/02/2021 14:17

@Smileyoriley that sounds like my dad's experience, he said he was 'interrogated' :-(

OP posts:
samandcj · 24/02/2021 14:20

Thanks for the info
Just booked - earliest available appointment March 5th
Age = 60
Yay!

CoffeeRunner · 24/02/2021 14:23

@treeblossomout

I have a similar problem - DD showing as eligible on booking webiste, but we have to book via the GP as DD only allowed to have one of the vaccines due to age. GP says DD is not eligible and is refusing to book her in!
Is she 16 or 17?

Our practice are vaccinating CEV patients between 16 & 18 but only with Pfizer.

Do they think she’s not CEV?

treeblossomout · 24/02/2021 14:26

CoffeeRunner: yes, 16-18 years old.

And yes, GP do not believe she is eligible even though she is eligible on the national site, but just needs GP to organise so she only gets Pfizer.

They are blocking her vaccine because they won't book it for her!

Jaxhog · 24/02/2021 14:30

This is pretty shitty. My younger sister just booked both of her jabs. I've just had my first jab and the site won't let me book my second one. Let's hope they have some vaccine left for when I need my second jab. Neither can my Mum who had her first jab 6 weeks ago.

Gadzookery · 24/02/2021 14:31

agree with this unreservedly! Vaccinators are not the arbiters of who - and who doesn't - get the vaccine and at what time. Poor behaviour!