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Original poster

So much for ‘protect the NHS’

306 replies

littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 14:34

This is a ranty post & I apologise.

I’m really starting to get pissed off with the vaccine situation.

My area are now onto vaccinating the over 40’s!!!

I’ve got family & friends that have been called for theirs... fit, healthy, no underlying health conditions.

I’m early 30’s two health conditions and I’m in group 6 for the vaccine.

I can’t book online and when I’ve spoken to my GP (today) they’ve just said I will have to wait for them to contact me.

My sister in law has been given hers on the basis that she’s a carer.
She “cares” for her husband who has a bad back.
A back so bad that over the summer he’s completely transformed his back garden, alone!

It just really doesn’t seem fair at all.

I have a small child and I’m a single parent, surely I should be vaccinated as a carer?!

I know we are all entitled to the vaccine, but hasn’t the point all along beeb to protect the NHS?!

How are we protecting them by jumping ahead to the fit and healthy and leaving the vulnerable ones behind?!

OP posts:
angelfacecuti75 · 27/02/2021 21:06

I went for my vaccine the other day in the southeast area, they have vaccinated the over 64 yo's*, over 70's, they were vaccinating the health care workers, the clinically vulnerable and a group of over 6 other people ...that i can't remember. I am a health care worker on the frontline . I also have diabetes& mental health issues. Yours will be soon, but I think you just have to be a bit patient this is not a sustainable situation forever, and it is only a month or 2 more. Whilst I can appreciate you are a mother and have those health conditions, there are millions of more vulnerable people (& no I'm sorry I don't know your particular situation) than you . There are millions of mothers in the UK too. I don't think that gives you priority as it is more carers for disabled people etc (& yes your relative was a bit pee taking but that isn't the case for the whole country)& it is your health conditions that would give you preferential treatment. Whilst I appreciate it is frustrating, and disappointing , it is only a month or 2 and it has been a whole year.

Bebethany · 27/02/2021 21:15

Ok my turn to rant! What’s not fair is your sister claiming a carer benefit and BIL claiming disability benefits, probably housing costs as well, whilst people who work in the Met police and other ES risk life and limb everyday and still not vaccinated!

GinPin2 · 27/02/2021 21:20

Booked mine Wednesday ( when the NHS jab site changed to 64 and over).
Had it Thursday ( 30 miles away in a pharmacy, in a worse covid area than ours).
Ill Friday. Fine today.
64+ includes those who are nearly 64. My birthday is the end of April.
My husband and I both decided to be proactive about this rather than just sit back and wait for either the NHS or the GP to contact us.
He had his vaccination 2 weeks ago and still no letter.
My daughter was vaccinated on Thursday at the same time as me ( her daughter has special needs) and HAS now received a letter to say she is eligible.
So it seems that the moral of the story is, if you are only eligible by age then definitely book your own jab on the website and check it daily to see if the age has been lowered. Because, otherwise, despite age supposedly being the most important factor, you may not receive a letter until all parent carers etc have been done.

FlynnD · 27/02/2021 21:31

Just book it online, from what I’ve seen with lots friends that are 40’s & 50’s with no underlying issues, none of these hubs are checking any sort of category your in or any kind of paperwork, get the appt then your in 20 mins later your out with 2nd appt booked.

urkidding · 27/02/2021 21:33

Please phone your GP, they'll give you an appointment. I was allocated the wrong group.

MessAllOver · 27/02/2021 21:36

Age is by far and away the easiest and most straightforward criterion on which to prioritise people for vaccinations. I understand why CEV and CV individuals have been "bumped up" the list and morally that is right but it does have the potential to slow down a vaccination process which is otherwise moving extremely quickly. Hopefully everyone will be covered and safer in a couple of months so not long to wait Flowers.

tigerlilly22 · 27/02/2021 21:41

Thing is, it would be very hard to identify every individual no matter their needs unfortunately. It is best to take this 'blanket' approach I think. Nothing will change, you will be still isolating (I am). I had mine weeks ago as I'm frontline NHS aged 52 and to be honest, I'm still living like I've not had it. Made no difference to me.

BungleandGeorge · 27/02/2021 22:10

@FlynnD

Just book it online, from what I’ve seen with lots friends that are 40’s & 50’s with no underlying issues, none of these hubs are checking any sort of category your in or any kind of paperwork, get the appt then your in 20 mins later your out with 2nd appt booked.
You are not able to book online unless you meet the criteria so there’s no need to check at the centre. The system just doesn’t let you click through to book if you aren’t eligible. You have to be older or claim carers allowance
Sidewalksue · 27/02/2021 22:33

DH is group 4, he’s only managed to book his as he rang the GPs about a prescription and they agreed to book him in (he’s ECV).
He’s got a friend who has COP in his 60s and he still hasn’t had his.
We are in one of the highest infection rates and it’s a disaster where we are. I can’t believe they are onto much lower risk groups in other parts of the country whilst locally we are short. Surely they should be prioritising the high risk groups as much as they can.

Thimbleberries · 27/02/2021 22:38

Are you not near any national centres at all, Sidewalksue? Or not able to travel at all - I think it would count as travelling for medical reasons, especially for someone in Group 4, who were supposed to be done weeks ago. Both those groups are able to book on the national sites now, but it might not be a really local site.

Sidewalksue · 27/02/2021 22:44

We haven’t been able to book on that basis. Our nearest centre is 70 miles away. They are finally talking about putting one near us but considering how poor the stock has been in the NE has been lately it seems pointless unless we get the actual vaccine stocks in.
GP has pushed him up the list. But they are still on over 70s just now locally. It’s ridiculous. I’ve read on here some areas are into group 10.

Thimbleberries · 27/02/2021 22:59

Is there any help for travel? Can you find anyone to give lifts? For Group 4 especially, I'm sure someone should be able to help. If he has the ECV shielding letter etc, he should be able to book online, and over 60s can now as well - how far are the centres that it allocates? If you can possibly afford to travel somehow, I'd get to any possible centre.

Sidewalksue · 27/02/2021 23:25

His GP has booked him in (I did say) but only pushing him up the list as they aren’t on to group 4 where we are officially yet (he put the issue of DC going back to school as the reason to do it).

When I was trying online it allocated nothing. I have read others that have also had that issue with group 4. There must be some differences for where you live.

I was more making the point why are other parts of the country booking group 10 in when group 4s (or 5/6) aren’t done elsewhere. Schools are back in a week, should be a National priority.

Thimbleberries · 27/02/2021 23:31

I'm not convinced anywhere is booking group 10; you hear a lot misinformation online. Some mistakes are being made, yes, but not as routine. But surely he could get in faster with a national site, if the GP slot is still ages away, and the same for the 60 year old. It's terrible that group 4s aren't done yet, and 60 year olds should be able to book too - maybe local mutual aid groups can help with driving or arranging transport in some way to get further away to a larger centre. Good luck

Willyoujustbequiet · 28/02/2021 01:22

I'm Group 6 parent carer and I got my letter and booked online. No issues at all.

Very glad to get it before the kids go back to school as I'm a single parent with no family. If I get very ill dc would face foster care.

cabbageking · 28/02/2021 02:05

Advice to doctors is to withdraw appointments incorrectly given.
You can't book on line if you are in the wrong category. The site asks for your birth date.

PrincessNutNuts · 28/02/2021 03:32

I would rather the most vulnerable to covid had both doses in a timely manner and were as well protected as possible as fast as possible instead of this 12 week wait.

I'm completely flummoxed by all the people in their 20s and 30s who have had the jab and don't know why.

I feel like we've taken second doses away from the really vulnerable and given first doses to people who are far less at risk instead.

How many of the really vulnerable are dying during this 12 week wait for their second jab? It's thousands every week isn't it?

My neighbour's 24 year old daughter at least works for the NHS, but from home.

But I'd still rather they'd fully vaccinated a vulnerable person instead

PolkadotZebras · 28/02/2021 06:02

[quote IrmaFayLear]@catsarecute - no health professional has the time to read all that malarkey in order to bump you up the list. Just wait your turn - it will come soon enough.[/quote]
A heath professional such as a GP should already be well aware of the increased risks of someone with CFS/ME contracting Covid as they are extremely obvious.

PolkadotZebras · 28/02/2021 06:14

The groups were done on mortality data alone though. That’s why asthmatics were also not in group 6 despite having increased risk of long covid and hospitalisation.

According to the JCVI the criteria for the groups was protecting those at greater risk of mortality or serious disease. That is why there are flaws; some condition that create a much higher risk of serious disease have been omitted from group 6.

KittyMcKitty · 28/02/2021 06:54

@FlynnD

Just book it online, from what I’ve seen with lots friends that are 40’s & 50’s with no underlying issues, none of these hubs are checking any sort of category your in or any kind of paperwork, get the appt then your in 20 mins later your out with 2nd appt booked.
This is not true. Yes some people are lying to get appointments but eligibility is checked carefully with anyone who doesn’t meet age criteria- it really is happening, it’s what I’ve been doing- and appointments are canx / people turned away if they do not meet the criteria.
DianaT1969 · 28/02/2021 07:56

What are we talking about here? You getting the vaccine 3-4 weeks later than your non vulnerable family? In the great scheme of things, that isn't long. Try to celebrate the speed of vaccine rollout. I think you said you are at home with DC. If you were public facing in a risky setting I'd understand your frustration more.

Motorina · 28/02/2021 08:01

@PrincessNutNuts

How many of the really vulnerable are dying during this 12 week wait for their second jab? It's thousands every week isn't it?

Source for "thousands every week" dying of Covid contracted more than 3 weeks after jab one whilst waiting for jab two, please.

If you can't provide a source please stop pulling stuff out of your arse and presenting it as "fact".

tiredmum2468 · 28/02/2021 08:17

Hi @littlelionboss

I feel your pain

I'm an nhs worker but have had mine - I physically work in the hospital but all employees including administration staff who've worked from home for the last year have had it too it doesn't seem very fair somehow

My brother and one of our cousins are Both police officers, one is 34 and one is 37 and they're not prioritised the same as teachers aren't either.

VerbenaGirl · 28/02/2021 08:29

My DH is in group 6 and got his GP text message on Thursday of this week and was able to book his vaccination for yesterday. It seems that when it happens, it happens fast.

Lemons1571 · 28/02/2021 08:36

@Sidewalksue

His GP has booked him in (I did say) but only pushing him up the list as they aren’t on to group 4 where we are officially yet (he put the issue of DC going back to school as the reason to do it).

When I was trying online it allocated nothing. I have read others that have also had that issue with group 4. There must be some differences for where you live.

I was more making the point why are other parts of the country booking group 10 in when group 4s (or 5/6) aren’t done elsewhere. Schools are back in a week, should be a National priority.

Crikey that’s worse than my area (still on 65-69 and only just started group 6), and I thought we were bad. Someone in central allocation should really sort this out. There should be some way of reporting these issues and getting it rectified, not just a gp answerphone message which basically says “no calls about vaccines no exceptions bugger off”.