How long to get a COVID jab?

[AquaBlue30]

I've got my jab tomorrow and I have major anxiety, I'm so thankful that I'll be receiving it but just wanted to hear people's experiences.

How long should I expect the appointment to be and what should I expect when I arrive?

I was in and out within around 30 minutes.

There were marshalls literally everywhere. Driving into the carpark I passed three marshalls telling me exactly where to park and then there was someone on the door who asked if I had had COVID symptoms and I said no, in to the next one by the doorway who gave me hand sanitiser and checked my temperature, onto the next marshall who told me where to queue and told me which vaccine I'd be having (Pfizer for me). I then queued up 2m behind the person in front, then went to the desk where I was asked how I booked my appointment (text or NHS website), my name, phone number and was given the vaccine card with the date for my second dose in 12 weeks then there was a waiting area with chairs all 2m apart and the nurses came and called people up, whenever someone got up the chair was immediately disinfected.

Sat in a little booth to have my vaccine, was asked if I had any allergies and advised if I had any side effects what they might be and that I could take paracetamol if I experienced any, she then entered my details onto the computer and then I had the vaccine.

After I had to sit in another waiting area on chairs 2m apart for 15 minutes to check I didn't have an allergic reaction. Apparently only those getting Pfizer have to do this, those who get Oxford don't have to wait unless they are driving I believe.

It was very good. Everyone was so lovely and upbeat and it was just a really positive experience and felt very safe.

I had to wait about 15 mins, but I think that's down to the fact it was the first morning a large pharmacy was doing it and there were a few teaching issues from their end. I had a really nice person give me my injection (hardly noticed it) and explained which one I was having, gave me an information sheet. I had the AstraZeneca one and was told I didn't need to wait afterwards, although, I chose to just for reassure. Afterwards I was totally elated - it felt like the best thing I've done in ages.

DH had his this week, in a small local pharmacy. Walked straight in and waited five mins after - he had AZ one.

If you're having it for any other reason than your age, ie job, carer, it might be worth taking any proof you have - a payslip, letter - just in case they want to check.

'teething' not 'teaching' issues!

9 minutes from parking my car.
They allowed any one who drove to do the ‘wait’ in the car.
Not sure what would happen if I had a reaction, but I was grateful for time on my own!

I arrived ten mins before my appointment, about 5 people in front of me just lines up in a corridor, gave our name and date of birth when we got to front. Went in to cubicles answered standard questions and then had jab. Was offered to sit in separate room for 15 mins or could go if I wasn’t driving. Was only there around 20 mins.

No side effects other than heavy feeling in arm for a few hours. No soreness the next day.

It was incredibly slick, well organised. All the checkpoints were in little booths- check in, then temp check, the vaccination point. There were also individual booths you could wait in afterwards. Everything was sanitised constantly.

Just had mine today. Very similar experience to all the others. Really efficient, lots of people to direct you where you needed to go. Whole process was very quick and the jab itself was painless (had Pfizer one). I have had a mildly sore arm for a few hours but no other side effects so far. Got given two leaflets and info sheet about jab. Had to wait 15 mins in well ventilated marquee next to vaccination centre before I went home but everything was very well sanitised.

A really positive experience all in all. I’m very grateful to have had it.

I was in and jabbed within 5 minutes. They were fighting over me.

In, socially distanced (and disinfected) queue for under two minutes, injection and then 15 mins wait (Pfizer). All very quick, very efficient and very reassuringly safe.

Got mine tomorrow too. Do they give you a sticker? I love a good sticker

Turned up 20 minutes early. I was in, jabbed and out and still 10 minutes to my actual slot. Saw one marshal, one nurse and one HCA. Nobody else.

I was back in my car and on my way home within less than 10 minutes.

You do get a sticker!

@AnxiousAlpaca

Got mine tomorrow too. Do they give you a sticker? I love a good sticker

I got TWO! One to show if answers the initial questions and another one saying I'd been checked again and was good to go. Bonus!

I had mine done yesterday, Pfizer. Very well organised, volunteers and medical staff so reassuring. In and out in 20 mins, need to wait for 15 mins after. separate entrance and exit all socially distance. Apart from a tender upper arm no other affects.

I don’t get a sticker

I has Pfizer so had to stay for 15 minutes afterwards. But it was all very safe, I was in a big room, everyone had a chair and was spread out, about 4 metres away from anyone else. All wearing masks. It felt very safe.

those who get Oxford don't have to wait unless they are driving I believe.

This was what I was told today, having my AstraZenica/Oxford jab. Took 30 mins total.

I had mine today, and I also suffer severe anxiety. The whole process was smooth and quick, but I did choose to stand outside rather than sit in the observation room for 15 minutes as it was just too much for me. I stood by the glass door so they could see me!

Ours were at a GP surgery, invite only, queued outside (on foot, 2 M apart) for about 10-15 mins, once in the building done in minutes.

Took temp at door, asked a couple of questions. Mainly about if we had tested positive for covid in the last 7 or 10 days and if we had had a flu jab in the last week. It seems they can't give you the jab if you have. DH gutted they didn't ask if he was pregnant.

Then straight down a corridor, ticked off list, given strip of paper with name and details on, into side room, injected and out, all one way.

Based on how many other people were there I think they were getting through at least 80 people an hour, maybe 100. Very impressed.

I arrived about ten minutes early. Had to give my name and DOB. Then I waited about two minutes for a vaccinator to become free. Answered the questions, jabbed and out before my appointment time for the 15 minute wait in the car.

Might depend where you go, OP.

I queued round the hospital car park and got mine 40 minutes after the appointment time 2.5 weeks ago. Dh was back home half an hour after his at the GP's last Saturday. I was supposed to wait for possible reaction 15 minutes after the jab (Pfizer) but CBA and dh (AZ) wasn't asked to wait at all.

The actual jab is the quickest part. Maybe a minute all in?

I had mine today, all well marshalled, organised and spaced out. I think I entered the centre at 15.26 for my 15.30 appointment but by 15.30 I’d had the vaccine! 15 mins sitting in the waiting area and then drove home.

It was at a sports centre about 20 mins drive away for me. Left home at 3 and was back home just after 4. I had the AZ.

I volunteer at our local hub. We have two volunteers outside, taking the booking reference number and logging you in on an ipad. Sanitise hands then to one of the computers for standard questions and we also hand out a information sheet about the vaccine. Then on to wait for a few minutes (if that) for a pharmacist to become free to vaccinate (astra zeneca).

Quick jab after the pharmacist asks a few more questions and then out through the other door. Anyone driving and on their own is asked to wait in their car for 15 minutes before driving off.

It's extremely quick.

@ShowOfHands ooooooooo
@drivenmadbyhomeschool lucky!