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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:
Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 15:47

@Loopyloututu2

I find this “jab envy” astounding. I can understand you want the jab ASAP but honestly, getting mad at your older relatives for being offered it before you is just silly.

What are they supposed to do - turn it down as a matter of principle because you haven’t had yours? They are getting through people fast, and you have to wait your turn - there will probably be people who think they should get it before you who’ll have to wait even longer down to postcodes/only having one medical condition etc.
Your anger is misplaced.

@Looneytune253

I’m not mad at my family or friends.

I’m frustrated at the way the vaccinations are being organised.

In the position of a healthy 40 year old, if I was called for my vaccine, I would absolutely take up the offer.

OP posts:
DogInATent · 26/02/2021 15:50

Jab envy was always going to be inevitable.

GPs and MVCs are working to different speeds and are getting out of synch. Better they call some people early and put up with the "it's not fair" or "it should be my turn" tantrums rather than keep slots empty.

The prioritising has been borked from the start and makes the proposed roadmap to opening the economy a joke. But it's what we're stuck with (until the next about-face).

Cindersrellie · 26/02/2021 15:52

It was never going to be totally fair. Everyone has a different idea of what's fair. It's not really fair that people who get to stay home all day get the vaccination while unvaccinated teachers have to go in and be surrounded by hundreds of children every day. But that's just how it's panning out. For now, be glad that we are still in strict lockdown and you're not missing out on much, and wait for your invite to come, which it will. Flowers

rainbowruthie · 26/02/2021 15:53

I completely understand your frustration OP - I really can't see why the people in group six could not be given a 'code' by their GPs which would enable them to book online

itsgettingwierd · 26/02/2021 15:53

It's a shame the system didn't allow group 6 to be booked online and you provide your qualifying condition(s).

My ds is group 6 too and so am I as his carer.

But I was done earlier (end jan) under Health and social care

ladyvimes · 26/02/2021 15:54

This is the quickest and most efficient method. If they had made it more complicated and case by case I promise it would have taken longer.

Melroses · 26/02/2021 15:55

My local area was very slow to get going, and last week, based on who I knew were being called, I had calculated that I would probably get mine at the end of March.

Then I heard yesterday and am booked in next week.

There are a lot of people beavering away in the background.

TheOrigRights · 26/02/2021 15:56

Do you mean the over 40s, or the over 50s (group 9)?

Motorina · 26/02/2021 15:57

It sounds like your sister in law lied about being a carer to get the vaccine.

That is outrageous and unfair. I would gladly see people who do so prosecuted. But the blame is with her, not the system.

pencilpot99 · 26/02/2021 15:57

I know this doesn't help you personally but maybe helps explain - Dr Mark Porter (who happens to be our local GP) tweeted earlier today:
"A lot of frustrated - and often angry - patients asking when they are going to get their vaccine. And we are one of the fastest hubs in the country. Dealing with emails and calls taking it’s toll on staff morale. Working as fast as we can but still limited by vaccine supply."
and then a follow-up tweet:
"Some perspective. I will be helping with 500 vaccinations tomorrow (after 3 weeks on stand by) but currently can’t offer any new appts as we wait until we are SURE we are getting vaccine. Notice is often too short to plan very far ahead - frustrating for us and patients."

Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 15:58

@DogInATent

Better they call some people early and put up with the "it's not fair" or "it should be my turn" tantrums rather than keep slots empty.

I’m not having a tantrum. I’m saying now I feel.

I’m not sure of your current circumstances, but personally I’ve lived in fear for the last year.

I’m not CEV but my health conditions do make me vulnerable and being a (single) mother to a small child it petrifies me what would happen should I become seriously ill with Covid.

Now I know all parents will have this fear, but those of us with vulnerabilities to Covid are much more likely to face this reality than those who are fit and healthy!

OP posts:
Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 15:58

@TheOrigRights

Do you mean the over 40s, or the over 50s (group 9)?
40’s!!!
OP posts:
HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 26/02/2021 15:59

I find this “jab envy” astounding.

Me too. I'm hardly a saint but when I heard about people being vaccinated before me I just felt happy for them. Like a normal person.

Calmdown14 · 26/02/2021 16:00

Ultimately, we could slow the whole system down so it is fairer to all or we can allow the areas/ hubs/ surgeries that are furthest advanced to crack on.
It is a postcode lottery, it's not entirely fair but equally there would be uproar if people were being asked to travel hundreds of miles. Try looking at it as anyone vaccinated is one less risk to you.
As for your sister in law, I assume she claims some kind of benefit as a carer to be in the system as a carer. If she is lying about this it's not the fault of the system

Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 16:01

@Motorina

It sounds like your sister in law lied about being a carer to get the vaccine.

That is outrageous and unfair. I would gladly see people who do so prosecuted. But the blame is with her, not the system.

@Motorina

She’s been registered as his carer for a while.
But it’s wrong that this is the case, but that’s a while other story.

OP posts:
Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 16:03

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

I find this “jab envy” astounding.

Me too. I'm hardly a saint but when I heard about people being vaccinated before me I just felt happy for them. Like a normal person.

@HeyDemonsItsYaGirl

Why the insult?

I am a normal person. I don’t have envy and I don’t begrudge the people know taking up their offer for vaccination, I’d do the same.

The system in at fault.

OP posts:
Cocomarine · 26/02/2021 16:03

@rainbowruthie

I completely understand your frustration OP - I really can't see why the people in group six could not be given a 'code' by their GPs which would enable them to book online
The fact you’d have to test and develop and implement the software that allows you to have a code?

That you have to generate a unique code, with every GP having access to do that (or the delay in requesting it from a centralised team?)

Of course it’s possible but... All these things take time, when we’re getting through people anyway.

I do think that people should be able to get a CV letter from their GP and then just book in directly, bringing the letter as proof. There’d be forgeries but maybe not so many as to invalidate the process.

YouokHun · 26/02/2021 16:04

@Viviennemary

Fairness doesn't come into the NHS. Nor does common sense. I would rather it was privatised.
Then there will be a different type of unfairness based on protection for those with the ability to pay - everyone in Knightsbridge is in the priority group with the second tier being anyone who shops in Waitrose on a weekly basis.

I do understand what you’re saying @littlelionboss, my 79 year old mother only had her first jab on Monday and she is caring for my cancer stricken father who only had his 10 days or so before, it’s a postcode lottery. That said, every needle that goes in every arm is a bonus and this is a numbers game. We are doing pretty well in the U.K.

rosiejaune · 26/02/2021 16:04

You aren't a carer unless your child is disabled, which I can't see mentioned? Being a single parent alone doesn't count. But if you are in group 6 regardless, it's irrelevant.

YABU because there are different sources of vaccination, and they are moving at different rates. They will get to you soon enough. And anyway, anyone who has it protects you indirectly.

Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 16:05

@pencilpot99

I know this doesn't help you personally but maybe helps explain - Dr Mark Porter (who happens to be our local GP) tweeted earlier today: "A lot of frustrated - and often angry - patients asking when they are going to get their vaccine. And we are one of the fastest hubs in the country. Dealing with emails and calls taking it’s toll on staff morale. Working as fast as we can but still limited by vaccine supply." and then a follow-up tweet: "Some perspective. I will be helping with 500 vaccinations tomorrow (after 3 weeks on stand by) but currently can’t offer any new appts as we wait until we are SURE we are getting vaccine. Notice is often too short to plan very far ahead - frustrating for us and patients."
@pencilpot99

This is almost exactly what my GP said to me today (about the supply and getting the vaccine at short notice)

OP posts:
RichardMarxisinnocent · 26/02/2021 16:06

What happens if all age groups are indeed vaxxed and group 6 are still nowhere near finished. Doesn’t look good does it.
But that's impossible surely? If all age groups are vaxxed then by definition all people in group 6 will have been vaxxed when it gets to their age group? They can just book online when it gets to their age, rather than waiting for the GP to get to them as part of group 6? The only way group 6 would still not be finished would be if the national booking system won't allow them to book when it gets to their age. But as there is no national database of group 6 people I assume they will be able to book.

Original poster
littlelionboss · 26/02/2021 16:07

@rosiejaune

And anyway, anyone who has it protects you indirectly.

How? Does the vaccine stop transmission?!

OP posts:
Ilovemypantry · 26/02/2021 16:09

@RedMarauder

OP life is unfair didn't your parents explain that to you as a child?
What a horrible and unhelpful comment to make. Why did you bother?
HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 26/02/2021 16:10

Why the insult?

Because you're coming across extremely selfish and self-absorbed, not to mention the dig about your malingering brother-in-law or whining that you should be a carer because you have a child.

I just cannot imagine being angry that someone gets a vaccine a few weeks ahead of you, let alone ranting about how you're so much more deserving of not dying.

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 26/02/2021 16:11

If your sil is listed as a carer for her dh then she has been called at the right time, wether you think there cheating system as carers is a different matter