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Over 40s will be called for vaccines this month

303 replies

LacyEdge · 01/03/2021 09:53

Reasons to be cheerful, March edition: According to the Telegraph, aka the Tory intranet, 40s vaccination is a couple of weeks away, and right on target: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/01/over-40s-covid-vaccines-rollout-track-begin-month/ (paywall, but the headline says it all)

Good news for those of us in our prime (cough ahem) Wine Brew

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 01/03/2021 11:19

Its very bizarre.

My parents (Dad 69 and has diabetes and mum 68) had their vaccine not last Thursday but the one before. End of alphabet surname.

My friend (male age 56 no underlying health condition healthy BMI) had his last Wednesday. He was very surprised to be asked and thought it was a hoax at first (it wasn't). Also end of alphabet surname.

Another friend (male 51 overweight but otherwise healthy and no underlying) was invited last week but is being a plonker about it (he previously turned down an opportunity to have it too). Mid alphabet surname.

All are registered to the same GP and live in the same area.

I have several female friends in their 50s who are also registered with the same GP (including wives of the above so same surnames who are similar ages). So far none have been invited.

I must admit to be struggling to work out how on earth they have decided the order of those invited! The disparity doesn't appear to be just a national issue - it seems to be happening at the same GP surgery!!!

FlyingBurrito · 01/03/2021 11:20

@gollymissdolly

I'm in my 50s (no health issues)and got my first vaccine at a local drive through centre at the weekend.DH is over 60 and hasn't even had a letter yet.
Hi doesn't need a letter, all over 60s can book themselves in via the central booking system
gollymissdolly · 01/03/2021 11:22

Sorry,should have said we're in Scotland. National booking system doesn't apply here.

FlyingBurrito · 01/03/2021 11:22

@yearinyearout

Are they missing out the over 50's?
Yes, didn't you hear @yearinyearout, they've decided to totally skip all the millions of the population in their 50s to get to the 40s quicker.

What an odd question Confused

peak2021 · 01/03/2021 11:23

If you look at the current rate, then by 31 March it is certainly possible. There are those 60-65 who I know who have had their first vaccine and are not clinically vulnerable. Coincidentally one has the Prime Minister as their MP.

GnomeDePlume · 01/03/2021 11:24

I'm 50s and group 6. Had mine last week. NHS letter, booked via the NHS website. Second appointment booked at the same time (May).

The availability changes very quickly so be prepared to have to have a few goes at booking. Be patient and persevere.

Just very glad to have had it done. Brings the next step of opening up closer.

ExcusesAndAccusations · 01/03/2021 11:25

@RedToothBrush

Its very bizarre.

My parents (Dad 69 and has diabetes and mum 68) had their vaccine not last Thursday but the one before. End of alphabet surname.

My friend (male age 56 no underlying health condition healthy BMI) had his last Wednesday. He was very surprised to be asked and thought it was a hoax at first (it wasn't). Also end of alphabet surname.

Another friend (male 51 overweight but otherwise healthy and no underlying) was invited last week but is being a plonker about it (he previously turned down an opportunity to have it too). Mid alphabet surname.

All are registered to the same GP and live in the same area.

I have several female friends in their 50s who are also registered with the same GP (including wives of the above so same surnames who are similar ages). So far none have been invited.

I must admit to be struggling to work out how on earth they have decided the order of those invited! The disparity doesn't appear to be just a national issue - it seems to be happening at the same GP surgery!!!

Strange, but if GPs are free to make their own lists within the age bands it would make sense to invite healthy male fifty somethings before healthy female fifty somethings.
Violet9 · 01/03/2021 11:29

[quote CavernousScream]@ethelredonagoodday Your family members can book their vaccine now:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/[/quote]
What makes no sense to me is that my as my carer, my husband can now book his vaccine on the NHS site, but as the person he cares for with multiple chronic health conditions, I have to wait until my age group is called (30's). He's fit and healthy and in his mid 40's.

We've been told by my GP there's nothing he can do because I'm not on their list and it's out of their control - they have to vaccinate who they're told to by higher powers,

What makes even less sense is that the letter he received in the post says:

"As the carer for someone clinically vulnerable", he can now book his vaccine, but as the person who is referred to in this letter as clinically vulnerable - I can't!

Stressing because the kids go back to school next week and I'm so worried I could get Covid through them. The letter my husband got even calls me clinically vulnerable, so why can't I get my vaccination now with group 6?!

user1497207191 · 01/03/2021 11:30

if GPs are free to make their own lists within the age bands it would make sense to invite healthy male fifty somethings before healthy female fifty somethings.

I can already hear the howls of "discrimination". I'd imagine they'll be doing everything they can to avoid discrimination on any of the protected grounds, i.e. sex, race, etc. It's quicker and easier for them to avoid getting into arguments amongst themselves about what to do about the sex-change/transgender patients if they went to prioritise one sex over another. They need to roll it out quickly and wasting time faffing around choosing groups within groups would just slow things down.

FlyingBurrito · 01/03/2021 11:31

We've been told by my GP there's nothing he can do because I'm not on their list and it's out of their control - they have to vaccinate who they're told to by higher powers

That sounds like a problem of the GP's making rather than a problem with the system, did they explain why they don't have you correctly identifed as a vunerable person?

123rd · 01/03/2021 11:34

Massive disparity in very local areas as to which group is being called forward

allmycats · 01/03/2021 11:34

My husband booked on line yesterday, he is 60 but our GPS are well known in the area for being shite. At the 1st whiff of covid they shut up shop and trying to deal with them is virtually impossible. No one I know who hoes to them and is between 60 and 69 has had any letter. I was able to have mine as NHS front line, fortunately. Get on line ASAP and book if you can, yesterday the site said 64 and over but NHS advertising said 60 to 63, so ignore the 64 and book.

WombatChocolate · 01/03/2021 11:36

Group 6 are a massive group (bigger than groups 5,7,8 combined) and are being done concurrently with age groups. So some group 6 will be done whilst group 6 are done and possibly even Group 8.

That’s because there are 2 streams. One is age group based, with people booking in national system and mostly going to the mass hubs. They are simply to book as it’s based on age. They’ve moved beyond Group 5 to Group 7 in most areas and the national booking system is booking anyone over 60 and you DONT a need a letter.

At the same time, Group 6, the massive group with medical conditions are managed by GPs and have to receive an invitation -usually by text or call and are then either booked in direct over the phone or via a link (not to the national system) and usually go the local gap led hubs.

Group 6 haven’t been al done yet as there are so many of them...far more than in Group 5 which are completed now in most areas. So the 2 systems just keep running concurrently..GPs working though group 6 (and it really won’t be long now until all offered) whilst the national system keeps plodding through age groups and is now working mostly on Group 7, but some from Group 5 might still be going and some in Group 8 might be seen in some areas if they are further ahead.

So yes, not everyone is in the exact priority order in terms of if you date them all on a timeline. Some in group 6 will be done after some in Group 7 or even 8. But for most, it will be a matter if days or a couple of weeks, not months. You might find some areas are vaccinating 50s while your area is still on 60s. But again it will only be a week or two. It cannot be a nuanced system with a perfectly exact order and if it were, it would be far slower.

In a few weeks, everyone in Groups 1-9 will be completed. We will all forget then that we were 10 days behind someone who seems to have been in a lower priority group than us. It feels really important now, but it’s a matter of days and weeks.

The key is to realise if you’re not in Group 6 that when your age group is eligible you DONT need a letter and should get on the national booking website as soon as your age is eligible and book an appointment that is offered. That is the fastest way for you to be vaccinated and the best way to keep the queue moving.

Stop waiting to be contacted. Apart from Group 6, the system doesn’t work like that now and age groups can book before they get letters. Yes, those who don’t do that will get a letter, but they could usually have booked sooner.

ExcusesAndAccusations · 01/03/2021 11:39

And if you’re Group 6 but in your fifties then while you’re waiting for your letter just keep an eye open for your age group to become available on the website and book yourself in there if suitable.

Violet9 · 01/03/2021 11:39

@FlyingBurrito

We've been told by my GP there's nothing he can do because I'm not on their list and it's out of their control - they have to vaccinate who they're told to by higher powers

That sounds like a problem of the GP's making rather than a problem with the system, did they explain why they don't have you correctly identifed as a vunerable person?

No sadly he was very vague about it all. I think we might try showing the surgery the letter my husband got as my carer, and get out a highlighter pen for the bit saying I'm clinically vulnerable according to their records! Worth a try?
Icantrememebrtheartist · 01/03/2021 11:41

It depends where you are. My mum is 75 and only had her first jab 2 weeks ago. In laws are in their 60’s and they haven’t had their ‘invitation’ yet.

Hollyhead · 01/03/2021 11:41

My mum is 57 and was done last week so it doesn’t seem too unbelievable

nicslackey · 01/03/2021 11:42

Mum is 80 and hasn't been invited for 2nd jab yet. I am 56 and nothing heard here either.

Brainwave89 · 01/03/2021 11:44

I am really pleased that the rollout is now going at pace. Hopefully by the time the lockdown ends in June, the bulk of people will have been vaccinated, and the younger age group under 25 are at very limited risk. This nightmare is going to end soon.... Thanks God.

AcornsTrustee · 01/03/2021 11:45

Wales here. Parents, both 65, were invited by letter from NHS Wales and had their jabs three days ago at a big hub, miles away from their town.

As far as I’m aware, there’s no online vaccination booking service for Wales. Stand to be corrected!

NoBetterthanSheShouldBe · 01/03/2021 11:46

61 not called yet, nobody under 64 and not vulnerable done here yet.

Justcallmebebes · 01/03/2021 11:46

I'm 55 and had mine on Saturday. My area is almost done with over 50's. It was brilliantly organised and run by the Rotary Club!!

SendMeHome · 01/03/2021 11:49

@Icantrememebrtheartist If in-laws are in England, they need to book themselves in online.

I had my jab on Saturday, I’m 30 and not high risk. Husband was called at the same time, he’s 34.

Hoppinggreen · 01/03/2021 11:52

They are calling over 50s here now so hopefully not too long to wait (I’m 49)

MmeLaraque · 01/03/2021 11:52

The letters are out there, I think, but there appears to be a massive disparity according to postcode. My "invitation to book your covid vaccination" arrived in the post this last weekend. I'm invited because I'm registered as FT carer to a vulnerable person. All the people we know over 80 have been "done", and have dates for their second jab.

As far as I'm aware, that letter is a generic invitation which would lead to me having to make my way to a centre. I have to check with GP which vaccine is available, because my immune system isn't great. I know that the surgery has been contacting people within a couple of weeks of their receiving one of those letters, so I'll wait another week or so, and see if that happens.