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Looks like the nhs covid vaccination has dropped to 50+

132 replies

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 16/03/2021 16:05

Still says 55 plus but two friends have just done it aged 51. They are always a couple of days late to update the front page. Give it a go if you fit criteria- still not quite at my age range.

OP posts:
ilovebrie8 · 18/03/2021 12:12

It’s funny now they are saying a shortage of vaccine and a slow down on cards but at the start of this week they were saying that they were getting a huge amount of the vaccine and things would ramp up! Big shift in the space of a few days...odd

Vargas · 18/03/2021 12:14

I'm 50+, just had text invite. I'm in London.

FANTINE2 · 19/03/2021 14:04

My husband,59 and myself 57, booked in next week , but we’ve had to wait 20 days since originally booking.
Personally, I think this is too long.

Pushkinia · 19/03/2021 14:23

@FANTINE2 I would just be happy to get an appointment! I’ve been trying for 3 days. I’ve been sitting here refreshing the page for 2 hours and still can’t get an appointment.

FANTINE2 · 19/03/2021 14:28

Pushkinia.
It’s frustrating.
My “mistake” was booking in to our local centre. If I had gone further afield, we would probably have been vaccinated by now. I just think that we should use our local centres and leave those further afield for the local population.
A family member, early fifties went to a neighbouring and was done within the day.

Pushkinia · 19/03/2021 14:42

@FANTINE2 My local Centre is 9.5 miles away, then next nearest is 16 miles away, then it’s 34 miles. None have any availability. It sounds like you had a choice of venue, which is great. I’m not going to be that lucky, I don’t think. My brother in law is having to go 50 miles for his, it’s the only appointment offered.

FANTINE2 · 19/03/2021 14:49

Does your GP surgery do them?
I’ve also heard of people contacting centres at the end of the day to see if there is any vaccine left over.

WombatChocolate · 19/03/2021 14:51

You have to see the bigger picture about vaccinating as many as possible as quickly as possible, and not just what's most convenient for you.

Most people first get offered the jab via the national booking system. They get a letter or they can see their age group is eligible in the website. That takes them to vaccines at the mass centres. For some it will mean a bit of a journey. But these centres have huge capacity and it's the way to get through the vast numbers. The quickest way to vaccinate the population is for everyone who gets that invite to book as soon as possible and take the first appointments.

The GP led system is a different system. It was used early on for the elderly and then for the clinically vulnerable groups and for the vulnerable group 6 people. Centres tend to be local to where people live, which was considered important for elderly and vulnerable. GP led services also picked up people who didn't book via the national system....and people were free to wait for this, but it does slow the system down as it delays rollout to next groups. Some people had no way to get to the mass centres and that's why the option was provided, but some coukd have gone or booked on the national system sooner and just didn't. They wanted convenience or to walk for their jab. I think many people really only thought about in terms of themselves and not about the national rollout and what would enable most people to get it fastest. As we move down the age groups, more and more people of course can travel. It might invoke a bit of planning for some and not be an handy as nipping to the local centre, but more people can be done faster if people will do that. There are also lots of volunteer services which will take people for their jab if needed.

In the end, everyone should get the jab within a couple of weeks regardless of which system they use. But if people want it fast (and most say they do, but then their actions often don't support that) they should book as soon as they get invited, whichever system asks them first.

Speed isn't key for lots of people, they'd rather wait and not travel. Well that is their choice and the system recognises that and allows for it. In most cases it means the individual will be jabbed later and also that others will be too.

WombatChocolate · 19/03/2021 14:54

I'd travel 50 miles or 100 miles ....and do it gladly to be honest.

I'm surprised how many people aren't prepared to travel even fairly short distances.

It's a funny thing becaue lots of people are desperate for their jab....often those at work. Others have been offered and aren't taking it up because they want to wait for something more convenient.

Pushkinia · 19/03/2021 15:13

@WombatChocolate I don’t drive, which makes the journey more challenging. There are no centres near me and only one accessible to public transport. I’m prepared to travel by taxi, but I can’t afford a 34 mile taxi journey (x2) Nevertheless, there are absolutely no appointments, even 50-60 miles away - I keep trying and have been trying for 3 days.

I have neurological problems, which means multiple train/bus journeys are not possible but my GP has not put me in group 6 and refuses to discuss it. I have no options other than wait for something I can get to. Believe me, if I could travel further afield, I would.

AliceMcK · 19/03/2021 15:14

45 and got a text yesterday. I have health issues and take immune suppressants so not sure if that’s why I’ve got mine. My DH has asthma but not had his.

WombatChocolate · 19/03/2021 15:28

Push, and there will be lots like you, which is why the GP system with local centres is there.

My point was quite simply that lots could get to the mass centres which are some distance away, but choose not to. I wasn’t criticising individuals and I said several times that the system recognises the mass centres won’t work for everyone. The system allows for anyone to wait and be jabbed more locally in fact. My point was quite simply that waiting means it all takes a bit longer. Some of that can’t be avoided, but some could be.

Pushkinia · 19/03/2021 15:52

@WombatChocolate Sorry Wombat, I thought you were criticising the fact that I'm trying to get an appointment "close" to home. After 3 days of trying the vaccination website however, my brain is turning to mush and I know I'm probably reading things wrong.

I think I'll take a break from trying - it's just stressing me out. There are no appointments in my area, as far as I can see. I work in schools and was really hoping to be vaccinated soon, but this stress really isn't helping! I've not caught Covid yet and I am careful, so I will just trust to my own precautions and hope for the best until the GP surgery contact me. I know people are saying contact the GP but the surgery has made it very clear they will not discuss vaccination, so therre's probably no point. I might send the Practice Manager an email though - he can always ignore it if he doesn't want to respond.

SpnBaby1967 · 19/03/2021 16:46

I just got invited for mine at my local GP centre. On 40, asthmatic but I dont think my asthma meets group 6 criteria so was surprised they hit the 40+ age bracket already (I assume that's why I have been called).

My friend got her invite 2 weeks ago but could only book the mass vaccination centre, she's a couple of years older than

katkit · 19/03/2021 22:07

I’m 43, have it tomorrow, as does 48 year old partner.

TomBarbara · 19/03/2021 23:21

You might find you get texted by the GP to make an appointment at the local hub before you are eligible on the national booking site. Happened to me and friends. (Group 9)

ilovebrie8 · 20/03/2021 08:53

Whereabouts are people in their 40s getting it? I thought they were still on the 50 plus age group ...group 9! I know lots of 50 plus who haven’t been contacted Hmm

Vargas · 20/03/2021 09:24

I'm 50+ and only contacted two days ago, but lots of similar aged friends had it a week or two ago. The roll out is never going to be completely smooth.

TomBarbara · 20/03/2021 09:33

My part of east Surrey had contacted all 50+ by 12/3 I believe. I'm 50 and 1 month and was invited before then and had it this week. I don't know how they are progressing with 40s.

TomBarbara · 20/03/2021 09:35

Might have been by 15/3

EasterIssland · 20/03/2021 09:45

Im surprised 40s are being invited thought they were stopping now until may. Wish my husband was invited as well. Would save us few headaches

Delatron · 20/03/2021 10:27

Yes I thought they’d paused the 40-50 group to make sure that with the current supply all the over 50s were done? That was the announcement this week. So existing appointments were honoured but no new invites? Not that I don’t want over 40s done as I’m in that category but it’s confusing!

Pearl97 · 20/03/2021 10:30

I agree it is confusing. I’d like to know if any under 50’s have been contacted after the announcement?

Wishfulthinking1977 · 20/03/2021 10:47

Where I am all over 40s have been invited today!! Was really surprised!! Xx

WombatChocolate · 20/03/2021 11:00

Wishful....is that really the case? Had invitations today (Sat) and all of them? Roughly where in country is that?

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