Anyone else turn 50 soon? Vaccine FOMO

[FairyAtTheBottomOfTheGarden]

So they're not taking new bookings for the vaccine after 29th March but say everyone aged over 50 will be vaccinated by the middle of April.
So if you're turning 50 between 29 Mar & mud Apr how are you supposed to get a vaccine?

*mid April

I think it’s worth a call to your gp tbh. I know some areas are continually updating their lists (people have birthdays and also die all the time) so you might be ok but I’d be flagging up with the gp. Hopefully they will either reassure you that they’ll call you in a few weeks or ideally book you in for just after your birthday

What? Do you think that you won't be able to get your vaccine because your birthday falls in the period where bookings are paused? Really?

The "everything will be offered a jab by Xdate" is a sweeping generalisation. You even wrote "will get the jab by X-date" when of course, some won't take up the offer. You won't get missed out, OP.

You could try the booking website on day of your birthday; it will probably let you in, then. Much easier to get in if you know your NHS number.

You won’t miss out, you might just have to wait until May to get it. Or you might get added to the list a bit early. Either way you’ll get it.

Matt Hancock the other day said that bookings were being paused for the under 50s, whilst they would continue to offer first doses to those in Groups 1 - 9. He also said that there were unlikely to be any days in April when first doses would not be offered.

What makes you think you will be unable to book if you are over 50?

It was my 50th birthday last Friday, after it was reported that under-50s vaccinations would be delayed. I received a text message around 5pm that day and am booked for Tuesday.

I heard they were doing it by year of birth, so if you turn 50 this year you fall into that bracket. Might be an urban myth though.

OP: try to book it now and see what happens? They will only let you in if you are eligible, you aren't doing anything naughty.

I asked the same question the other day - will we have to wait until May or will be able to book once we turn 50 as part of the "mopping up"?

It's especially frustrating for me as I live in a borough where they are far ahead of the programme so people in their forties and thirties are being vaccinated (without underlying health conditions). However, my GP is in a different area and they are far behind the national schedule.

@littlewhitestar, try booking on the NHS website. Ignore where it says you have to be over 50 on the front page because it may be that a) that includes those who turn 50 this year or b) in your area under 50s can book.

If it comes back that you are not entitled, try every day. This is not 'cheating'; the system is set up so that those who can be accommodated in an area can book, while those in areas which are more behind have to wait (a little, hopefully) longer.

It was explained at conference that first bookings for groups 1-9 still going ahead it’s only new vaccines outside of those groups that are being delayed so you’ll be able to book as soon as its your birthday

I tried the NHS website and it won't let me go any further than entering my date of birth as I'm not 50 yet. I've tried contacting my GP & they said they don't know so I don't think its a stupid worry to have!
Those who have reassured me, I hope you're right & I'll be able to book on my birthday

@BizzyMissy

It was my 50th birthday last Friday, after it was reported that under-50s vaccinations would be delayed. I received a text message around 5pm that day and am booked for Tuesday.

A nice birthday present!

Once people become eligible, there's no cut off to stop them booking even when the booking opens up to the next group. Hopefully you'll get yours in April but worst case you'll get it early May so you definitely won't miss out completely.

Thanks @amicissimma. It doesn't let me book online either.

I'm delaying mine because I can't be arsed the location is inconvenient. I'm sure you'll get yours as soon as you want. I'm happy to let all the keen people go first. I'm like that about every Q I encounter, to be honest.