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Original poster

55-59’s

177 replies

DinosaurDiana · 05/03/2021 09:23

This morning I have been able to book my DH his two appointments on the NHS site.
It wouldn’t let me yesterday.
To all those waiting, try every day.

OP posts:
poppycat10 · 05/03/2021 10:09

Really unhelpful and selfish to have those who are not eligible overloading the system by logging in multiple times a day!!! My DH is 60 in May and will wait to be contacted like any other considerate person. He has just made sure that his contact details are up to date at the GP

We're not logging in multiple times a day. I looked for DH at the weekend and he looked again this morning. And the appointment is for two weeks' time. He had to tick to say whether he was vulnerable or not, I imagine if he had been, the appointment would have been earlier.

Scarby9 · 05/03/2021 10:14

It's true!
I am 59 and have just booked mine for a week on Monday.
It still says over 60 on the front page but let me through.
Thank you for the alert.

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:15

Yes, looks like they are booking further ahead now for the mass centres. I think they have more certainty about supplies from mid March and so can do that. People are pleased when they’ve booked, even if it’s not for a couple of weeks. And of course as we go down ages more and more can travel or at least sort out a lift or something. Those who want local will certainly have to wait longer when they are in age categories.....but there is a choice, so it seems reasonable.

99victoria · 05/03/2021 10:15

I've been trying every day - 60 next month. Just managed to book this morning. Passed it on to friends and all the 59 year olds have managed to book but my friend who is 57 couldn't

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:16

Yes Mindy, good you’re booked. I don’t suppose the system is anywhere near sophisticated enough to spot he’s your brother and already booked. That would be asking a bit much really. Great you’re both booked though.

Etulosba · 05/03/2021 10:18

I was thinking of trying to book but I think I'll wait. I am stupidly busy with work now and for the next few weeks. I can't risk having to take time off because of any side effects.

irregularegular · 05/03/2021 10:18

Really? There are no officially eligible people (over 60 etc) at all who are unable to get an appointment? Either because there aren't appointments or the website is crashing?

Checking multiple times a day can't have any benefit so better not chance that there is a knock-on cost I think.

He's not contacting the GP, just updated contact details online

Rillington · 05/03/2021 10:19

@irregularegular What are you on about? The government are encouraging people to book online. How on earth is it selfish to book something you are entitled to?

irregularegular · 05/03/2021 10:21

Isn't 119 for tests? Why are you ringing them about vaccinations?

Rillington · 05/03/2021 10:21

@irregularegular 119 is for tests and for vaccination queries.

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:22

Etulobsa, better to book sooner and get some short lived vaccine symptoms (which most people don’t get or have mildly anyway) than to have Covid!

Many appointments are 2 weeks off and you can adjust them later if you need.....but shouldn’t this be the priority at the moment really?

shinynewapple21 · 05/03/2021 10:23

Does it not depend on the area you live in?

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:25

Irregular, you do seem a bit confused.

The national booking system books for vaccines via 119 or via the website. If you ring 119 and can’t currently book but are upper 50s they will tell you to check each day.

Okay, 10 times a day is probably an exaggeration...most people won’t be doing that. Remember the system has VAST capacity (it needs it) and they need people to keep coming through in drubs and drabs and not all at once. Some book before the front page is updated, some once front pages updated, some when they get letter and some don’t do it until much later and after lots of follow up. It’s all planned in.

Are you feeling reassured after multiple people have told you it is FINE to ring. 119 or try your details in the online system. If you’re not eligible, it will just say so. Fine....try another day.

irregularegular · 05/03/2021 10:26

@irregularegular What are you on about? The government are encouraging people to book online. How on earth is it selfish to book something you are entitled to?

Booking is fine. But people are going on the system multiple times when they are not eligible to book yet, just to check if they might be. They clearly aren't eligible, otherwise they wouldn't keep failing. Fine if the system can deal with it. I'm pleasantly surprised it can!! Though still wonder why people feel the need to put it under unnecessary strain by checking multiple times a day.

Frazzled2207 · 05/03/2021 10:29

I'm much younger but this is very exciting. Does this get you appointments at the mass vaccination sites only? or local gp hubs

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 05/03/2021 10:29

@irregularegular the website has coped fine so far. And if you ring 119 about vaccination booking they are effectively using the same system.

irregularegular · 05/03/2021 10:30

@irregularegular 119 is for tests and for vaccination queries.

OK I didn't know that

HipTightOnions · 05/03/2021 10:31

Thanks for the tip off! Just booked mine (59).

herecomesthsun · 05/03/2021 10:32

In our case, we have children at 2 different schools going back next week. Our risk will shoot up. I've already been vaccinated as CEV but my husband hasn't, and in the circumstances, I would like him to get jabbed absolutely as soon as the system lets him. I think that's fair enough myself, and can't see how that hurts anyone else.

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:32

10 times a day will have been an exaggeration from someone and of course most people aren’t doing that.

However, 119 says to check regularly or daily. The point is, you don’t know until you try.

So people int heir 40s probably shouldn’t bother now as it’s clearly not reached them. But the next groups of 55-59 and then very soon 50-54 will suddenly get eligibility and be let through. People are keen and especially those returning to work. They want it done ASAP (not queue jumping, but as soon as eligible and there’s a lot of anxiety) so some people will check every day. It’s fine. Tigers are more laid back and wait for letter. Others get letter and still take ages to book. People are different and the system allows for that. The government know people are different in their responses and factor it into the booking system to manage it and ensure even the dithers or disorganised get scooped up eventually.

Etulosba · 05/03/2021 10:38

Etulobsa, better to book sooner and get some short lived vaccine symptoms (which most people don’t get or have mildly anyway) than to have Covid!

I have had Covid, quite badly, and that is what is putting me off. I have heard that the side effects can be worse if you already have the antibodies.

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:39

And interesting Irregular, how many posts from other people you have need to feel reassured about it all.

It shows how people don’t understand the full system and also that they have different levels of anxiety or keenness to book and push through with it all. Some won’t feel happy until the letter is in their hand. Others are more proactive and reading up on it and know all about it. Government knows there will be this variety. It’s normal in a population of 53m to be jabbed....and they are managing it, for both speed and also to enable everyone to be done.

The quickest way for most age groups categories will be to book on online system and have to travel a bit to mass centres (perhaps 20 miles) which works fine for most and they are very prepared to do it for a faster jab. Those who won’t or can’t travel can wait for more localised bookings via GP (who will follow up those who don’t book after getting letter from national service) and offer more local appointments.lol.but of course that will take a while as people need to be allowed some time to book following their letter, plus GPs gave their own priority lists too. Booking sooner by checking national site regularly and being willing to travel if necessary is the way forward if speed feels important to you. Clearly it does for many, but others are more laid back or decide distance is more important and they would rather have it local and wait another 2-3 weeks or longer. That might be fine for people who do t go out or aren’t go8 g to work, but most going to work will be keen to get is ASAP.

Veuvestar · 05/03/2021 10:40

Thank you for the link
Sorry that I haven’t seen the 60 other threads that it was on.
Sorry that I asked someone to copy and paste something that they might have had open rather than trawling through
Sorry if it’s all a bit confusing with talk about different links for gps and vaccination centres

Etulosba · 05/03/2021 10:40

Tigers are more laid back and wait for letter.

Literate tigers are getting it now?

WombatChocolate · 05/03/2021 10:41

Etulobsa, I’m not sure if the effects can be worse or if that’s not frequently true.

However, you’ll need to have it at some point and face whatever risks there are. It’s better for you and for society overall to have it sooner.

If you can book, look to do it. Remember you can change your appointment later if you need to and in the meantime can read up in a bit more or speak to a GP or someone if you need reassurance about it, best thing would be to book though.