Worried I'll miss out on vaccine

[M1551nglink]

I've just read a piece in the Times saying that anyone over 50 should book a vaccine this week and "the NHS won't accept new bookings for first doses from March 29".

I'm in Scotland and there's no booking system here. I'm 60 in July and haven't heard anything yet.

All the reports of younger people (in their 50's, not CV or carers/health workers, eg. the PM) and the reports of reduced supplies from India and possibly even EU has made me really worried that by the time I get to the head of the queue the door will be shut as they'd quite rightly have to then conserve supplies for people getting their second dose.

Should I be worried?

I would advise you call the Scottish coronavirus helpline. It may well be that they can book you in. They booked my husbands on Friday and he had his yesterday.

They've only said no new bookings for people who are not in the top 9 groups. You should be fine and get your invite probably sooner now as they will divert available supply to areas that are behind rather than letting the quick areas move to younger age groups as they had started doing.

Oh thanks @EleanorLenor I didn't know there was one, I'll try that 

The times article didn't say this so hopefully you're right @nordica thanks

Where do you live? Have they not reached your age group yet?

My appointment letter came in the post yesterday. I'm also in Scotland and early 50s, no underlying health issues etc, so if I were you, I'd definitely chase it up.

You won't miss out. It's not that the vaccination programme is ending from 29 March just that there will be a reduction in supply for a few weeks.

Are you in Lothian? They seem about the slowest. I think it's coming your way soon though.

Not read the Times piece but although the vaccine has been procured by UK government it's NHS Scotland doing the rollout so probably that comment isn't directly applicable up here.

My mum only got her 1st dose 2 weeks ago and she's 76 and on the shielding list (scotland).

We are doing slightly different age groups compared to England as we concentrated on care home vaccinations first.

I don't think there is a way to chase it up

www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/who-will-be-offered-the-coronavirus-vaccine

This tells you which groups are getting invited so far. You should get an appointment fairly soon i would have thought

Hi @DumplingsAndStew I'm in East Renfrewshire.

@sjfjsnfkdhsbd I'm not worried about missing out, just worried that I'm a bit of increased risk of serious illness for longer, potentially months longer if the supplies dwindle

Should have said worried about missing out on my place in the queue in the title

From what I've heard they have enough for the priority groups. It's the under 50s that will need to wait the longest (me 😭)

Everybody will be offered the vaccine eventually. Why worry about it?

@dementedpixie I think you're right about not being able to chase it up. I'm sorry you'll have to wait longer.

Hi @Donotfeedthebears I'm aware of that but have been so lucky so far not to get the virus and keep worrying that my luck might not hold out much longer. I might be less worried if I was under 50

www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/missing-appointment-details

This page is where you can chase up appointments but it says:

If you are aged 50 to 64 years, you should expect to receive your first dose coronavirus vaccination invitation letter soon

I’m wondering if I’ve been forgotten. I should be in group 6 (due to emergency hospital admissions for asthma), but so far I’ve heard nothing. And yet my colleagues in their 50s are now being vaccination. Surely group 6 should be ahead of group 9?

Thanks @dementedpixie fingers crossed

They seem to have lumped the last three groups together. That may be why there are younger people getting it before older ones

@HainaultViaNewburyPark I would think you absolutely should be getting it before them

The Scottish COVID-19 vaccination helpline and booking service is available from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week on 0800 030 8013.

Can also use the online form here

Thanks @MissSM9102

@M1551nglink I phoned the helpline and they told me I had an appointment and when. I haven't received my letter yet, probably because the appointment is in a couple of weeks time. It's nice to know though so give them a phone.

@Downton57 oh that's great that would put my (stupid,anxiety prone) mind at ease