So much for ‘protect the NHS’

[littlelionboss]

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?!

Group 7 CAN book online
I know this because I booked my father in law

Group 7 is 60-65, the website says 64 and over unless you have a letter/advice about CEV status. Is your FiL 64? It doesn't work for the 61 yr old I just tried to put through.

My Aunt booked her vaccination through the NHS site. She's 61

crikey where do you live? really surprised 40 year olds are now being offered it.
its not a totally fair system, like everything sometimes there are gaps people fall through whilst others land on their feet, its life.
I do get that doing it by age is the simplest and quickest way to call people up though, hope you get yours soon, is it worth talking to GP, are they able to help prioritise at all??

@BungleandGeorge

No it won’t go to waste as the Astra Zeneca vaccine can just sit in the fridge if the vial hasn’t been opened. I think some people have got the wrong idea about the prioritisation. The goal is to go as quickly as possible. So we want to do as many people as possible each day at the vaccination centres. The vaccine won’t go to waste but the appointment time will. The JCVI recommendations are not meant to be some strict hierarchical order of worthiness. There are unlimited vaccines, just get as many done as possible. If more healthy 40 year old are immunised that’s less chance of you catching it. It is was important to get the most vulnerable done first. Now it’s a question of speed. If people are in groups 5-9 all the better but if people don’t turn up to appointments (which unfortunately happens too regularly) we just need to fill to capacity and do as many people as possible. If we were short of supplies it would be different.

We are short of supplies! The supply has been quite intermittent and that has reduced the number of people who can be vaccinated. There isn't a lack of people to do the vaccinations.

@Botanicals

It ‘turns my stomach’ that a vulnerable person with severe learning disabilities who can’t defend themselves or assert themselves has been seemingly forgotten while my marathon running gym bunny friends have got the vaccination.

Well get over it. I have several factors that put me in the high risk group but I won't be getting the jab for months yet because I'm pregnant. THANK YOU to everyone who has taken their vaccine so far, because every single one of them is helping to protect me and every other person who hasn't been jabbed yet for whatever reason.

@littlelionboss totally understand your frustration.

@Beaniecats. GP surgeries have messed up group 6. Receptionists seem to be deciding which health conditions meet criteria. Absolute bollocks! I work for a GP’s surgery and no way are the receptionists making any decisions re this. The CCG are a bit shit about keeping the surgery informed and sometimes we get information late - patients knew about the additional 1700 CEV patients before we did! Everyone is doing their best with an ever changing situation. [I’m not a receptionist, but it’s all hands on deck at the moment.]

What happens re the CEV is that searches are run across the patient databases to see who qualifies. In our case we have been texting/ringing people to book appointments. We often only know a few days beforehand when the vaccines are coming in so can’t book far ahead. Those receptionists you are so rude about (as well as the GPs, HCAs and nurses) are working weekends and their days off so that people can be vaccinated as quickly as possible. Despite the Government, surgeries and the letters people are receiving all saying DO NOT ring your surgery, when I was at work earlier this week I reckon 80% of the people ringing were asking when they were going to get their Covid jab. We get that people are worried, but we have to stick to the rules. If the receptionists are in doubt as to whether someone has been missed out, they ALWAYS check with the GPs. They don’t have the fucking time to play God!

It’s never going to be a perfect situation. I suppose someone COULD go through the lists with a fine-toothed comb, but that would only slow the process down.

Oh and these women (yes they are nearly always women) get paid £8.70 per hour for the privilege, with no double-time, when they work on a Sunday afternoon.

As pp said, it can’t be a top trumps of ailments; this is a public health battle plan, not a personal health one.

Yes. This time a thousand.

After that rant, I’d also like to say that this afternoon I’ve been working in one of our Covid clinics (on my day off) and without fail the patients have been lovely and just very grateful to be getting their vaccinations. It is so lovely to be doing something positive. And we only had 3 no-shows out of 200!

I actually feel sorry for GP surgeries. A friend is a receptionist and says there isn’t a day goes by without loads of people ringing them, or knocking on the surgery door (surgery currently only doing video appointments), demanding they have the vaccine. And often they get abusive if they’re told to go away and wait for the surgery to contact them. I can imagine some gps get so fed up of the hassle they cave in and put some to the front of the queue. Typically it’s those that are the most aggressive and the loudest who probably get their own way, and the ones who just wait quietly for their turn will be pushed back.

@DavidsSchitt

"Actually it’s the other way around. GPs are the one that are skipping forward in the groups"

No. They've ground to a halt at group 6

That's why group 7 can now book online.

GPs are told who to send for. They have no choice.

[quote Darkbrownistheriver]**@Beaniecats. GP surgeries have messed up group 6. Receptionists seem to be deciding which health conditions meet criteria. Absolute bollocks! I work for a GP’s surgery and no way are the receptionists making any decisions re this. The CCG are a bit shit about keeping the surgery informed and sometimes we get information late - patients knew about the additional 1700 CEV patients before we did! Everyone is doing their best with an ever changing situation. [I’m not a receptionist, but it’s all hands on deck at the moment.]

What happens re the CEV is that searches are run across the patient databases to see who qualifies. In our case we have been texting/ringing people to book appointments. We often only know a few days beforehand when the vaccines are coming in so can’t book far ahead. Those receptionists you are so rude about (as well as the GPs, HCAs and nurses) are working weekends and their days off so that people can be vaccinated as quickly as possible. Despite the Government, surgeries and the letters people are receiving all saying DO NOT ring your surgery, when I was at work earlier this week I reckon 80% of the people ringing were asking when they were going to get their Covid jab. We get that people are worried, but we have to stick to the rules. If the receptionists are in doubt as to whether someone has been missed out, they ALWAYS check with the GPs. They don’t have the fucking time to play God!

It’s never going to be a perfect situation. I suppose someone COULD go through the lists with a fine-toothed comb, but that would only slow the process down.

Oh and these women (yes they are nearly always women) get paid £8.70 per hour for the privilege, with no double-time, when they work on a Sunday afternoon.[/quote]
Exactly. I’m a GP and I agree with all of this.

@Botanicals

It ‘turns my stomach’ that a vulnerable person with severe learning disabilities who can’t defend themselves or assert themselves has been seemingly forgotten while my marathon running gym bunny friends have got the vaccination.

I’m a gym bunny and a semi professional rugby player, I also have two complex chronic health conditions. Being physically active doesn’t mean you’re not vulnerable to covid.

The government wrongly chose not to prioritise those with learning difficulties, denying other people the vaccine is not a suitable way to assist those with learning difficulties.

@Darkbrownistheriver

After that rant, I’d also like to say that this afternoon I’ve been working in one of our Covid clinics (on my day off) and without fail the patients have been lovely and just very grateful to be getting their vaccinations. It is so lovely to be doing something positive. And we only had 3 no-shows out of 200!

Agree totally I volunteered today and had 1 no show in 4.5 hours. Everyone was so lovely and it was very humbling when people were saying thank you as I’ve not done anything special (I check people in) - one of most heartwarming things was that most people were waving as they drove off in their cars!

My dh (group 6) was vaccinated today (different centre) at a football ground and was very excited they all got wristbands saying “name of football club” 1 - COVID 0 - he’s been wearing it with pride all day 😀

My friend and her husband are volunteers. Whilst most people are lovely and thrilled to be having the vaccine, they also have to deal with people being abusive, nasty, and furious that they won't be given a vaccine just by turning up. They've stood outside in the cold and rain helping. They're pensioners themselves.

This is a massive logistical operation, and it can't be based on every individual circumstance. I think those involved are doing an amazing job.

I understand that some people are frustrated they haven't been invited when others haven't, but we're talking days or weeks in most cases, not months.

Whoever is in charge of organising the vaccination programme deserves a bloody medal,

Yes they really do.

@RedMarauder

OP life is unfair didn't your parents explain that to you as a child?

🤣

They ate dealing with millions of individuals OP. If they stopped everything to exactly prioritise people according to need, it would take 10 years. You're being asked to wait a matter of weeks not years till you get identified in the crowd. Try and see it from the organisation perspective rather than your own.

Yeah it doesnt make sense..my areas on to over 40s yet my mum in her 60s and does a type of care job, still hasnt had hers. She called the nhs helpline advice number for vaccines and was told it's up to the local council. Called them and was told it was the nhs helpline. Her gps said nothing to do with him. She is in and out 40 houses a day. It is frustrating when they pass you back and forward.

@littlelionboss

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?!

I really feel for you, OP.

Keep trying to book in with your surgery.

It's no longer fair - things have got out of synch.

Yes, the vaccinations are on their way, but if you're vulnerable then you don't exactly want to catch COVID in the intervening weeks that people think you should suck up, do you?.

@Scbchl

Yeah it doesnt make sense..my areas on to over 40s yet my mum in her 60s and does a type of care job, still hasnt had hers. She called the nhs helpline advice number for vaccines and was told it's up to the local council. Called them and was told it was the nhs helpline. Her gps said nothing to do with him. She is in and out 40 houses a day. It is frustrating when they pass you back and forward.

Exactly.

Your mum should be prioritised and I hope she is.

*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!*

There are thousands in the same position as you. I work in a key worker role, have health issues but I have to wait, and I will.

@Pimlicojo

My friend and her husband are volunteers. Whilst most people are lovely and thrilled to be having the vaccine, they also have to deal with people being abusive, nasty, and furious that they won't be given a vaccine just by turning up. They've stood outside in the cold and rain helping. They're pensioners themselves.

This is a massive logistical operation, and it can't be based on every individual circumstance. I think those involved are doing an amazing job.

I understand that some people are frustrated they haven't been invited when others haven't, but we're talking days or weeks in most cases, not months.

In our area, we have more volunteers than we can handle.

Volunteers also get the vaccination.

[quote catsarecute]@SoulofanAggron

You might not think that having ME/CFS in and of itself puts me at increased risk, but can I point out info from the ME Association that suggests otherwise? I think we should be in group 6 along with other clinically vulnerable.

"New infections are probably the commonest cause of exacerbation or relapse of ME/CFS – as noted in section 3.3.2 of the Chief Medical Officer’s Working Group Report on ME/CFS: meassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/CMO-Report-2002.pdf

This is also noted in section 1.6.4 of the new (draft) NICE clinical guideline on ME/CFS which will become operational in April 2021: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-ng10091/documents/draft-guideline

Chu et al (2019) in an epidemiological study examining outcomes in ME/CFS reported that infections are the most common factor for having a deleterious impact on the course of the condition: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6370741/

Patient evidence to the MEA also indicates that almost everyone with ME/CFS who has caught COVID-19 has had a significant and/or prolonged relapse of ME/CFS. This is not surprising given the considerable degree of clinical overlap between ME/CFS and Long Covid.

The MEA has now received information from Dr David Hefin, Member of the Welsh National Assembly for Caerphilly, that the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has accepted people with ME/CFS into Group 6 of the JCVI priority list. Other health authorities in Wales have also been contacted."[/quote]
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.

I know you are not being unreasonable in your response but the truth is that there are a lot of worthy people. But all the faffing that is having to go into this is slowing vaccinations and taking people away from doing their healthcare jobs.
If they’d known we would go this fast I think they would have just done age groups after the CEV, so much easier and not open to interpretation or additional work.

Mygaz I don't know what your point is, but it feels nasty. And to imply volunteers do it to get the vaccine is disgusting. Some maybe, the people I know? Definitely not. What a vile comment.