Over 60s can now book online

[ittakes2]

Sorry if there is another thread already and I missed it.

Over 60s can now book online via the NHS website without having received a letter or text.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

A couple of people have told me about family members who didn't want to book one of the several places offered online and decided to wait for the invitation letter to come.

The letter came, inviting them to book online, which offered the same places, but by now a week later than they could have had!

I hope they open up to over 50s very soon, specially in places with plenty of capacity, so that those slots can be taken up.

Anyone know if this is for England only? We are in Wales and am trying to find info for my DPs.

@Moonstone1234

Wombat. Well done. Some people are refusing to travel and will ‘wait’ - probably the people that were screaming for the vaccine! I was going to do a 200 mile round trip to take DM to a mass hub until I spoke to the GP who said there was a closer centre but only for the very elderly. How would I have known that is another matter.

The point I am making is people should be making a real effort and thinking outside the box. Not just expecting it to be within walking distance or other such nonsense. There are volunteers taking people to centres, there are taxi’s, neighbours, friends, family.

I can't believe there are people who would be perfectly able to travel to a hub but who are waiting to have it done sooner!

It's totally different for the very elderly who would struggle, people with other health conditions, or those who are unable to drive etc. But if there is no physical reason, why on earth wait?! Definitely not fair if it slows the progress too.

@SilverBirchWithout

*It’s not old news for some. My mum is 61 and didn’t know she could book until I told her. No letter received*

Ok.
There were 2 or 3 threads on here last week discussing it, that’s how I knew to book.
It’s a shame that people aren’t aware you don’t need to have received the letter in order to book.

I booked today for an appointment tomorrow thanks to this thread. Previous threads I'd seen were re 65+ .

I'd thought it would still be a little while yet in my area as DH, who has a medical condition was only able to get his first jab today.

So thanks OP!

I'm 63 so tried to book online today. Got the 2 appointments but when I clicked to confirm both bookings I got a message saying one of them was no longer available, so try again.

I think I will have another go very early or very late when not so inundated.

NI is also booking for over 60s as of today, if anyone is/has someone there to get booked in 😊

www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/vaccine-programme-extended-60-64-year-olds

Thanks to the OP I've got this today

Old news!
Over 60s could book from last Monday. We had our vaccination yesterday - letter arrived in post today

Judging by all the posts from people saying they/their parents are over 60 and still haven't been invited, there is very definitely a need to keep spreading this clearly not so old news.
The sooner the over 60s are done, the sooner they can move on.

@ErrolTheDragon

Thanks to the OP I've got this today

I didnt get a sticker! Bastards 🤣

They actually changed it last week on the 22nd / 23rd.
I booked on the 23rd and had my jab on the 24th.

Yesterday my Letter arrived, dated 22nd Feb.
So it seems that they are starting to print the letters on the day that window opens, but the volume of letters processed mean they can take up to a week to reach you.
It's reassuring to know that I didn't queue jump!

That’s great news and important to keep sharing so thank you OP!

@WombatChocolate. My brother isn’t a comfortable driver going anywhere that he doesn’t know. He has rung and was only offered one place which is about 40 minutes drive away. He is going to ring again Thursday. I am 59 and if he hasn’t had it by the time I have mine, I will book us in together, as he is in my bubble being single.

Mindymomo, it’s a shame there’s no-one who can take him so he gets done as quickly as possible. But the system does recognise this happens (more for the earlier age groups done) and he can wait and actually if he doesn’t book, eventually the GP local service which offer him one at a nearby GP led hub...of course might still be somewhere he doesn’t usually drive to. It all just means he has to wait longer and the queues move a bit slower, but the government knew there would be people int his situation and the system does mean he will get the jab at some point.

Hope you are both done soon.

@Mindymomo try booking on line for your brother using just his NHS number. I did it that way last week and was offered multiple venues to choose from and to book the follow up. My letter didn't come until today.

Thanks. My husband has offered to take him. I have looked at booking him in, but we are in Surrey and most of the places offered are in London. At least on the phone he was offered something nearer to where he lives.