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Original poster

Empty Vaccinations Centres

99 replies

Bilgepumper · 28/02/2021 15:25

I keep hearing about appointments going spare, no queues and empty centres. The only answer is to open the appointments up to all adults. This would stop vaccines being wasted and staff having nothing to do. The best way forward is to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

OP posts:
happytoday73 · 28/02/2021 15:27

They've just been advertising opened up to those in early 60s now.... So hopefully this will refill more slots.. If not then yes why not quickly open to at least everyone over 50.

Myalternate · 28/02/2021 15:30

Where are these empty centres ?

ChequerBoard · 28/02/2021 15:30

Your making the massive assumption that there is sufficient vaccine available for this. Could be that the centres are quiet because they have used up their available allocation of doses...

Original poster
Bilgepumper · 28/02/2021 15:33

Just looking at the appointments where I live, there are appointments available for right now. East Midlands.

OP posts:
happytoday73 · 28/02/2021 15:38

As another example... Manchester Mayor commented on number of spaces at ethiad

Crazycatlady83 · 28/02/2021 15:47

The problem is, if you don’t have lots of options for people close to their homes, some will moan about having to travel far. So you need lots of centres with lots of availability so people can get the vaccine at a time and place convenient to them. If not, they may be dissuaded from getting it (if it’s too much hassle and they don’t see themselves “at risk” - rightly or wrongly)

As we go into group 6 (which needs to be arranged by the GP) I can understand why this would be labour intensive and slow down the process. Now it’s been opened back up to age groups (60-63s) from Monday, things should speed up again!

Also, limited on supply I’m assuming?! Although government says no supply issues so maybe not!

Myalternate · 28/02/2021 15:47

I hasten to add that I wasn't planning on invading any vaccination centre! Just curious to know where they were. 😁

FlibbertyGiblets · 28/02/2021 15:50

How do you look at available appointments when you are not yet to be jabbed, please?

PicsInRed · 28/02/2021 15:53

You're right of course, but it won't happen, because they're fixated on groups 1-9 even if the entire mission takes longer due to wasted capacity.

BigWoollyJumpers · 28/02/2021 15:57

My 60+ friends are having to wait a week to get appointments, and have had to retry several times to get appointments as they go so quick, that they disappear as your are selecting them, so no spare spaces here, Surrey.

PurpleCrocuses · 28/02/2021 15:58

Where on earth are people finding these "appointments"?

I'm CEV and haven't been offered a vaccine yet, don't know anywhere where you can find or try to book for slots online, other than the official NHS website which just says wait to be contacted. Genuinely someone please tell me!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 28/02/2021 16:00

Wasted capacity is down to a bump in vaccine availability. There's nothing anyone can do about that.

Our local GP surgery is not running this weekend, it has no vaccines, and is still working its way through the 70+, we have a very large older population and a lot of all sorts of care homes, supported living houses.

I expect they'll work next weekend, when they have vaccines they work flat out and have very few missed appointments.

There'll be different patterns all over the country.

But quiet vaccine centres won't be because nobody wants the jab.

Myalternate · 28/02/2021 16:00

@PurpleCrocuses

Where on earth are people finding these "appointments"?

I'm CEV and haven't been offered a vaccine yet, don't know anywhere where you can find or try to book for slots online, other than the official NHS website which just says wait to be contacted. Genuinely someone please tell me!

I thought if you are CEV then you are entitled to be vaccinated no matter your age group ?
maddiemookins16mum · 28/02/2021 16:00

Folkestone yesterday was heaving. 1.5 hrs from joining the line to coming out the other end, staff going down the queue reminding people to only join it if they had an appointment.

FallenSky · 28/02/2021 16:02

@PurpleCrocuses

Where on earth are people finding these "appointments"?

I'm CEV and haven't been offered a vaccine yet, don't know anywhere where you can find or try to book for slots online, other than the official NHS website which just says wait to be contacted. Genuinely someone please tell me!

Are you in England? If so the NHS website allows you to book a slot if you are CEV.
Artus · 28/02/2021 16:03

If you are over 60, or extremely clinically vulnerable and live in England you can book here
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

If you fall into Group 6 clinically vulnerable you will have to wait to be identified by your GP and called up.

FourTeaFallOut · 28/02/2021 16:04

The number of vaccine hubs and vaccinators are huge now. That doesn't create more vaccines to deploy though and I don't think anybody has suggested lots are going unused, have they?

But when we do have lots of vaccines and we hit the stage of deploying first and second doses at the same time, it's reassuring to know there is ample give in the system.

Billandben444 · 28/02/2021 16:05

Enfield heaving yesterday, queue outside and round the block - they've had to cancel today as they've run out of vaccine

Coffeeandcocopops · 28/02/2021 16:07

@PurpleCrocuses

Where on earth are people finding these "appointments"?

I'm CEV and haven't been offered a vaccine yet, don't know anywhere where you can find or try to book for slots online, other than the official NHS website which just says wait to be contacted. Genuinely someone please tell me!

Where I live in Kent the local Gp is vaccinating the over 50s without clinical needs. It’s advertised on FB. My friends are being vaccinated and they are just 50. Yet i spoke to my GP just down the road and they haven’t had the vaccine for 2 weeks and are no where near vaccinating the over 50s/under 60s. Postcode lottery definitely.
CuriousaboutSamphire · 28/02/2021 16:10

Yes. There is some element of that. Where I live I lose, and I am getting a bit antsy, but that's just how it is. They get vaccine they give vaccine, the logistics don't adjust immediately!

PurpleCrocuses · 28/02/2021 16:11

I thought if you are CEV then you are entitled to be vaccinated no matter your age group ?

I will, but I live in a seriously deprived area where there are a lot of CEV and elderly people. They are vaccinating CEV but it's going very slowly. I have a few neighbours who are 80+ who haven't been vaccinated yet though they have received appointments.

I have no doubt I'll receive my appointment in the coming weeks, it's just frustrating to see people living in wealthier areas get it when they're only in group 4 or even those who are healthy but managed to find some loophole. Someone on my FB (who is young, not a carer, no underlying conditions) posted that they managed to get a vaccine by phoning the late night pharmacy around the corner from their house and asking if they had any unused vaccines that were going to be thrown away. I know someone else who managed to get an unused 'going to be thrown away' vaccine because they were best friends with a doctor who phoned to say "get down to the surgery asap we've got a couple left over."

I'm glad that unused vaccines are being used and not thrown away, and the more people who are vaccinated, the safer it is for me. So I don't resent anyone for having it. It's just frustrating how much of a postcode lottery it is.

InterfectoremVulpes · 28/02/2021 16:17

If you are CEV you can book online you don't need to wait to be contacted.

Puddymuddle · 28/02/2021 16:23

Where do you live that has CEV and 80+ still not yet vaccinated?! These groups should have been completed 2 weeks ago. You can book online using your NHS number.

noirchatsdeux · 28/02/2021 16:23

I was vaccinated (CV as x 2 cancer survivor) at the Manchester Eithad centre yesterday...there was a steady stream of people coming and going. The Uber driver who took me home said he'd been busy all week purely taking people there and back.

I didn't have to queue (my appointment was just after lunch hour) and it was all done in 15 minutes. I was extremely impressed.

Pyewackect · 28/02/2021 16:24

@Myalternate

Where are these empty centres ?
Yes, I'd like to know that ?. The only ones I've seen are in Germany.