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Original poster

Will I be allowed the covid jab if waiting for a test?

105 replies

fastwigglylines · 02/03/2021 21:26

I had a phone consultation with my doctor yesterday over a long term cough I've had. I made it clear it's not a new cough and the Dr wants to do a blood test.

However she said I need to have a covid test before I come to get the blood test and I should book online. I explored all the options on the NHS website and there wasn't one for "the GP told me to get a test" so I lied and said my cough started 2 days ago, not a year ago, which is the actual date.

I know people will probably tell me off for lying but I didn't know what to do. It's taken me a while to get the Drs appointment.

But then, later that same day I got invited by text to have my Covid jab and the only dates available were Weds or Thurs so I booked Thurs.

Are they going to ask me if I've recently done a test? Will I not be able to get the jab?

I really want the jab before the DC go back as I'm in a high risk group.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Smashedavacado · 02/03/2021 22:13

Sorry just realised OP has not done the test yet. Timings will be more complicated. Not sure how to advise - probably ought just to do the test and rebook the vaccination but understand your frustration that you don't have a new cough or other symptoms. Not sure what to suggest!

LabbyNoona · 02/03/2021 22:14

And you don’t have to self isolate as you don’t have symptoms nor have you been told to self isolate by nhs test and trace

Smashedavacado · 02/03/2021 22:25

Read your further comments. Definitely not a new cough!! I think in your position I would get the vaccination on Thursday and think about the test after that.

confusednortherner · 02/03/2021 22:38

Can you book a test tomorrow first thing and hopefully have results back within 24 hours? I know you've booked home test but if you could get to a testing centre that might work...

SendMeHome · 02/03/2021 22:49

@fastwigglylines You’ve declared on a government form that you’ve had a cough for two weeks; so that’s what they’ll base everything on.

I was asked if I was waiting for a test, and you couldn’t answer no to that and be honest.

It’s unfortunate but I think you’ll need to move your vaccination appointment. They will offer you more dates. My friends were the next week, yours might be the same. That seems best from all perspectives, including that you need treatment for the cough and can’t get that until you’ve done the feed, which you’ve now ordered.

Vegiereggie · 02/03/2021 23:18

Get the vaccination and rebook the test. They didn’t have box for the real reason you needed a test so you had to tick the wrong one. You’ve done nothing wrong. Nobody will give two hoots and you need to protect yourself.

YardleyX · 02/03/2021 23:35

Okay, this is my job. I can give very clear answers.

You have declared yourself to have Covid symptoms. Therefore, you are on the official isolation list and can be fined if you are caught out of the house.

You will DEFINITELY not be allowed in a vaccination centre.

The fact that you lied on a formal government document is irrelevant to these facts.

TippledPink · 02/03/2021 23:46

I wouldn't worry about there only being two dates showing that had availability to have your jab- when I booked mine it only showed one day with availability, but when that was booked up it showed the next day, and so on. There will constantly be availability so I wouldn't worry about cancelling and rebooking after your test.

UmbilicusProfundus · 03/03/2021 02:22

Not the question you asked, but are you having treatment for your heartburn. It’s one of the most common causes for a chronic cough.

Oh and in your situation I would have the vaccine.

What is this official isolation list yardley mentioned. It’s not something a vaccine centre has access to. Millions have lied on the government form to get a test. I doubt you at any risk of a fine in your circumstances.

freezingmarch · 03/03/2021 06:50

Is the doctor asking for a surveillance covid swab prior to coming in for tests? If so I'd prioritise the vaccine and then get the swag and tests after.

If he wants a covid swab to rule out covid prior to looking at other things, you can't have your vaccine until after.

MRex · 03/03/2021 06:55

Legally you must isolate until you have had a test and received a negative result, the penalty is a large fine. You should have just gone directly to a PCR test centre after the GP appointment, you could have had your result the next day and avoided all this nonsense. You'll have to rebook your vaccine, you cannot leave the house legally right now.

ohwaitthatwasme · 03/03/2021 07:09

@fastwigglylines

But I think the solution is probably to call the GP.amd explain, and hope I don't get in too much trouble for lying about how long I've had the cough on the NHS website

The solution is definitely not to call your GP. They are not an advice line for admin issues. You are now legally required to isolate so you will just have to isolate. Bad timing yes, something that GP can sort out for you? No.

Icequeen01 · 03/03/2021 07:22

Op you state that you need to have your vaccination now because your DC are going back to school, but even if you have it now your immunity won't kick in for 3 weeks so will be way past 8th March (assuming your DC go back then?). If that's the case it won't really will make much difference if you delay your vaccination for a little while?

WeatherwaxLives · 03/03/2021 07:41

But you are having a test because you have symptoms - it's because of your cough. I appreciate its not a new cough so isn't actually on the list, but the Dr is obviously concerned enough to get you tested. Also, you can have a long term cough and covid at the same time, coincidences happen.
Presumably if it was a twisted ankle you'd not have been told to have a test.
So the rules are, you isolate from ordering the test to negative result. The longer oyu delay in taking the test the longer you should be isolating so it makes sense to do the test ASAP, get it out of the way, and have your jab as soon as you get a negative result.

I've had tests prior to hospital appointments to confirm I'm negative before going into the hospital, but these are done by medical staff, they're not the self swab tests, so I don't think this is what you're having? Also, you still have to isolate for the 48hrs between that swab and the appointment so you don't pick up covid after the negative swab but before you go to hospital.

ihearttc · 03/03/2021 07:43

Just go to the appointment. The 2 systems aren’t linked at all. I had an actual face to face GP appointment last week and he had no idea I had Covid 3 weeks earlier.
You are not isolating due to being ill. You are having a test before a medical appointment.

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 03/03/2021 08:32

No way am I isolating. I don't have covid symptoms. I have a cough that's probably caused by heartburn, I've had it for a year.

I don't drive and can't easily get to the test centre so I got a home test.

The doctor didn't think I have covid, she just wanted me to get a test as a precaution. I'm wondering if this is her error as actually the NHS doesn't allow for tests as a precaution. I should have gone back to the doctor for clarification instead of lying to get the test, I can see that now.

OP posts:
ohwaitthatwasme · 03/03/2021 08:50

I'm wondering if this is her error as actually the NHS doesn't allow for tests as a precaution.

It's not an error. Thousands of people have been tested before medical procedures and appointments. It's unfortunate timing for you but nothing more.

In terms of being vaccinated because your children are retiring to school, it's next week isn't it? Or the week after for Scotland? Either way you have missed the boat by a mile to have any protection from the jab when they return.

YardleyX · 03/03/2021 08:52

Absolutely, yes it is the doctor’s error.

There is no system to have tests done as a precaution.

Unfortunately, by listening to this erroneous advice, you have now declared yourself to have Covid symptoms on an official government document.

I can assure there is a list kept of all those currently in isolation, and large fines have been implemented for some who have been caught outside whilst on this list.

Now, the chances of being caught may be slim, but the penalties are high.

I guess what I’d say is that most of the people who have been caught have done so because they have attended an event; gone to work; attended a medical venue...etc etc...

These are the places where people are getting caught out. In all honesty, very few people have been caught whilst just out for a walk or going to Tesco.

We do get reports all the time though from friends and neighbours if they think they know people doing this sort of thing whilst isolating.

YardleyX · 03/03/2021 08:53

To confirm - there is a very different process to use where hospitals deem it necessary to run a test prior to a medical appointment.

You do not use the online Test & Trace service did this!

Original poster
fastwigglylines · 03/03/2021 09:08

@YardleyX

To confirm - there is a very different process to use where hospitals deem it necessary to run a test prior to a medical appointment.

You do not use the online Test & Trace service did this!

The Doctor didn't tell me about a different process, she told me to go online and book one with the NHS.
OP posts:
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 03/03/2021 09:09

So, if I get the test done, and reschedule my jab, how soon will I be able to get a jab after?

OP posts:
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 03/03/2021 09:13

As an aside, I'm fed up with getting shoddy advice from this GP surgery. Everyt time I go, it's a different locum, never my supposed GP.

I've been meaning to move GPs for a while, think I'll ask for the forms from the new one once I've had my blood test done.

OP posts:
Original poster
fastwigglylines · 03/03/2021 09:15

This worries me: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4179939-invitation-to-have-covid-vaccine-cancelled

OP posts:
YardleyX · 03/03/2021 09:16

The process for booking tests in advance of a medical procedures or appointments is only accessible by doctors. She was wrong to advise you to go through Test & Trace yourself for this.

As you’ve now unfortunately followed this advice, you sadly don’t really have much choice about your vaccination appointment.

They will ask you all these questions before admission to the test centre and you’d have to lie again. I don’t think it’s worth the risk when the penalties are so high.

The good news though, is that in most places vaccination slots are quite readily available if you have already been called. I’d be hopeful that you should be able to re-book this as soon as possible after your 10 days isolation.

YardleyX · 03/03/2021 09:18

Also, you can reduce the 10 days by getting your test back in the post ASAP.

Result timelines vary, but the sooner you get it back, the sooner you’ll have results.

Once you have a negative test result, you can stop isolating, even if this is before 10 days.

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