Am I reading to much into this.

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I have 2 dc with additional needs. After reading this week that those who get Carers allowance can book their jabs I did it for today. Since then I have received an official invitation letter a few days ago.

So today went to get it. No problems really and it’s done but I suffer from anxiety and read into things too much.

It was mainly older people there so I probably stuck out a bit (I’m 30).

All staff were lovely until I got to the woman asking me questions about my history, pregnancy etc. She asked if I had an underlying health issue that meant I needed the jab. I said no it’s because I am a carer and I had an invite. She looked displeased and then proceeded to ask what my children’s needs were and asked to see the letter. I showed her, no problem. She just seemed annoyed that I was there.

Aibu to think her attitude was a bit off? I have full respect for any nhs workers. But I had a letter igniting me which she knew right at the start as I took it out to give her my nhs number.

Just feel a bit emotional tbh. Surely the more people who get it the better?

People may agree or disagree with the order it’s being done but that’s not my fault and I met the criteria!

Please reassure me I’ve done the right thing getting it done and I have nothing to be guilt about 😭 my anxiety is now giving me a sense of guilt about it!

To add questioning me why I was there was fine but I felt asking me what my children’s needs were was a bit intrusive tbh.

Of course you’ve done the right thing.
The issue here is just your anxiety. You’re reading far too much into this.
My 17 year old had it this week. He stuck out too.

It's done now, you only have to get through the second dose and never see these people again.

Have a good Sunday and forget about it. You are not responsible for another adults mood.

You were 100% in the right to have the vaccine. You were invited. She was probably a bit overwhelmed. No excuse of course.

But please, try not to give this anymore head space than you have already done.

I think she may have overstepped a mark, professionally, to grill you that much.

I didn’t mind her asking why I was there. I guess that might be routine but I felt it went a little too far but what is done is done now. Thanks all! They were really busy so I appreciate they are overwhelmed! Grateful I could have it 🌸

You were invited and went. I wouldn’t think on it to hard.

I wonder if that centre have experienced people trying it on and self-declaring themselves as part of groups without any proof?

I'm sure there are many people who have over inflated their circumstances in order to jump the queue for the vaccine. In no way am I saying you have done this but I imagine she is just wise to it and was wrongly judging you.

This is her issue not yours. You were invited for your vaccine and went to get it. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, good on you for having it. The more the better.

If it makes you feel any better, I am early 20s and a key worker and was also quite grilled and asked to show evidence of where I work by a number of staff (the man on the door, the woman at the first desk and the nurse at my desk). I didn’t take it personally; my age group will not be called up until much later in general and they were checking I was supposed to be there. By contrast, my mum (mid 50s and a key worker) was not asked what she did or to present ID at all. She probably shouldn’t have pried into what your children’s needs are though and sorry that made you uncomfortable.

You don't know what she was thinking. You are not capable of mind reading.

You might just have been the first carer she had vaccinated. She could have a naturally grumpy face. Or that's what she looks like when she's concentrating or distracted or worrying or reading. Or you expected to be judged or experience anger so that's how you interpreted her neutral expression. Or she could have been frustrated that a relative of hers who's a carer hasn't had their invite and wanted to know more to help them.

You have no idea what was going on for her. Don't stress it.

Many people are jobsworth. Many people are opinionated OP. It doesn’t matter what this one woman thought. You did the right thing. You did as the letter asked.

Every person who gets vaccinated protects us all a bit more OP, you've done nothing wrong, you are protecting yourself, your children and the wider community so good on you! Don't give it a second thought!

You don’t know how many other people had tried it on prior to you arriving.

There was a spate recently of people being sent a genuine appointment link to use to select a convenient time. It specified it was for them only. They booked and then fraudulently circulated it round all their friends and family. Who then booked too (apparently the system let them).

However when they turned up and were asked about their circumstances they didn’t have a letter (as it was sent to their relative) and were not entitled to get the jab so we’re sent away.

The person you spoke to may have had a number of these individuals and wrongly presumed you were yet another one. However I would hope that once they realised you were genuine, that they were nice to you.

I can completely understand their frustration in these circumstances, with selfish people trying to circumvent the system when other more needy people would have to wait longer for their jabs.

Don’t give it another thought. You did the right thing getting the jag when asked, to protect yourselves, your family and others.

Her attitude stinks. They don’t have a right to question you like that.

Where I went, if you were booked then you were booked.

When Dh went for his, people in front of him were turned away ( he said it looked like a middle aged mum and teenage/ early 20s daughter) obviously there could have been millions of reasons why they were turned away but maybe your centre had had issues with eligibility of people.

Despite this she was rude but you are entitled so try not to worry. Thank you for getting it; you’ve protected yourself and helped the wider community. 💐

There’s another thread on here that starts ‘Eligible to book on nhs website’ which will answer your question OP and backs up what I was saying.

People are not waiting for their letters like they should, they are booking up without one in an effort to jump the queue, quoting their age as though that makes queue jumping acceptable.

If it were a bus and there were loads of people at the bus stop wanting on would it be right for a few to push to the front and get in saying ‘I’m entitled’? No it wouldn’t. You wait your turn. Even though your entitled. You wait your turn. Because it’s good manners and in the case of jabs, some are more entitled than others due to health issues.

You had received a letter. That means you were entitled to the jab. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. She shouldn't have questioned you.

@Elieza you can book using the site, that's what it's for. It won't let you unless you are eligible and about to get a letter
I booked using it, my letter arrived 4 days later which was a letter literally with a link to the site
It's not queue jumping at all, and if your letter is lost or delayed in the post it makes more sense. They were encouraging people to book using it
Not the link that's for NHS staff of course!

@Elieza Not true. As far as the priority groups go, nobody is “more eligible” so that is why they can book on the website. It was even advised by the government. If you’re not eligible, you can’t book.

I had my text message from the GP well before I got the letter.

Her attitude was off but there have been some good explanations as to why.

Maybe you're the first person as a carer in group 6 who she had vaccinated? Maybe she was just checking how the system works for carers in group 6?

I wouldn't read too much in to it. I had mine yesterday, it was me and a lot of learning disabled adults/older teenagers. I felt a bit bad that I'd had the invite (from my GP), even though I know why - but when they asked the questions, especially the one about blood thinners, I stopped feeling bad. I had reason to be there.

@Elieza You don’t need a letter if you’re in an eligible age group. My own GP practice has twice shared the NHS link requesting that over 65s book at a vaccination centre using the link because the GP practice themselves are not currently vaccinating group 5 (over 65). They have moved straight to group 6 (clinically vulnerable) in accordance with Govt instructions.

Given all the posts on MN that imply huge vaccine envy especially from teachers -- there probably are some chancers finding ways into the system that have no actual entitlement yet. Or trying very hard to get their turn early. Her questions wouldn't be at all about OP, they'd be making sure the system is working as it should.

Apologies if I have misunderstood the rules around booking a vaccination where you are.

In Scotland we are being told re Invitation for your first vaccine dose:

“You will receive an invitation letter or phone call with your appointment details.

You should make every effort to attend the appointment at the time arranged for you”.

...Etc. It does not say you should check if you are one of the groups allowed to be vaccinated now you should book up online whether you have a letter or not.

It would appear the rules are different in Scotland.

That is a real shame she treated you that way. I have followed the same process as you, getting my vaccine yesterday and the person dealing with me didn't say anything questioning or negative. She simply checked my records with my NHS number and told me I was a carer! She did remark that I had had my flu vaccine though. Don't know why!

You are entitled to a vaccine as a carer. It is great you have had your first dose. Don't give it any more thought.