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Original poster

Which areas are booking vaccines for over 40s?

237 replies

WombatChocolate · 25/03/2021 17:17

Hi.
Am hearing that some over 40s are getting invited to book vaccines now.

If you have been invited, would you mind saying where you are please (don’t be precise if you don’t want to) and if you’ve been invited to book via local booking system that gives you appointments at the local centres, or via the national booking system to the mass centres/pharmacies.

My DH and I are late 40s and just so confused about what is going on. We were deflated by the news last week about the delays, but lots of people, still seem to be invited, it we can’t work out if it’s in our area and if locally led based on GP surgeries inviting or the national system letting some younger people book.

Hoping there are lots of you out there getting invited and it will be our turn soon too. Thanks.

OP posts:
sleepwouldbenice · 25/03/2021 22:29

@MumofPsuedoAdult

A doctor interviewed on telly the other day said that it depends on the demographic in your surgery. If yours has higher numbers of older people it will take longer to get to the lower age groups. Not sure how accurate that is.
Yep. And that's the frustration given they would have known this when allocating volumes/ slots
Heyha · 25/03/2021 22:32

Friend in Worcestershire has had theirs, 39 and no underlying health issues or other reason to have had it 'early'

Arcadia · 25/03/2021 22:33

Oxford - 46 - got text yesterday from GP surgery and in today, received Pfizer.
Mixture of ages in the queue.
My theory is my surgery is in a studenty area therefore there is a young demographic.

HandforthParishCouncil · 25/03/2021 22:37

Leicester. They're texting people to come and fill the empty appointments in my area.

NeverForgetYourDreams · 25/03/2021 23:11

Dorset 48 and 47. Had last week on super Saturday. No health conditions

MiddleClassMother · 25/03/2021 23:11

Here in Yorkshire the majority of my work colleagues in that age range have been done now, they're very effective.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 25/03/2021 23:28

@Quadrangle

Croydon must have been doing 40s on 2nd March as this MP chap tweeted that he'd had his and that he wasn't at high risk (so presumably not group 6)
Oh, that odious little twerp.

He'll be Group 6. Even if he doesn't admit it.

he's registered at the same GP as me

PotaytoCrisps · 25/03/2021 23:46

Early 30s, no health conditions, have an appointment for next week at large vaccination centre in Belfast.

Eccle80 · 25/03/2021 23:50

@Heyha

Friend in Worcestershire has had theirs, 39 and no underlying health issues or other reason to have had it 'early'
I am also Worcestershire, older than that and haven’t been invited, as far as I am aware none of the surgeries in my town have gone below 50 other than group 6
Careylisa · 26/03/2021 07:00

@BellsaRinging keep your eye out for a text. I got a text last Thursday morning and got an appointment at one of the vaccination centres later that day.

BellsaRinging · 26/03/2021 07:10

@Careylisa thanks-I am poised ready and waiting. Will be amazing when it happens!

Eaumyword · 26/03/2021 07:25

East Mids for 45+, Bournmouth for my brother, Surrey for friends.
This vaccination rollout has been phenomenal, very grateful to all involved.

Oohshortbreadfinger · 26/03/2021 07:36

West Mids here in an area with lots of elderly. My group of surgeries saying they will only be working through 50+ for the foreseeable so I think it's going to be a while.

bjonesreborn · 26/03/2021 07:37

West Sussex. I’m 44, got the call yesterday and had the jab yesterday.

bjonesreborn · 26/03/2021 07:37

Got the call on Tuesday I meant 🙄

Original poster
WombatChocolate · 26/03/2021 08:19

Really interesting to see all the replies and also how some are sticking rigidly to only over 50s and others are far more flexible. Realise that some of it is also to do with local demographics and also some surgeries or whoever is sending out appointments or offering out last doses at the end of the the day are simply more proactive than others.

Like a PP, I’m in Surrey (eastern side) and can lots of walk-in clinics and buses with vaccines are parking up for drop-in with no appointment needed....but it’s all ‘strictly over 50s’ on the advertising. Whether they would let someone who was 48/9 have it if they turned up, especially later in the afternoon, I don’t know.

It does feel a bit like if the call doesn’t come before the end of the month or really by start of next week, it probably will be another month. I know that in the wider scheme of things, all 40s will probably be done or at least offered it by the time another 6-7 weeks passes and in the wider scheme it’s not long....but I think lots of people are literally hoping every single day that they might get the call. I know lots are more laid back and will be totally surprised when they do get the call, but quite a lot of 40s who’d been tracking it and imagining they would be all be eligible over this current week, are finding it all really hard. Reading this thread is both encouraging, because so many 40s clearly are getting done. But it’s hard when it seems random and it feels like a deadline is approaching and if you don’t get the call before then, there could be a long wait.

OP posts:
mrsknottschicken · 26/03/2021 09:42

@WombatChocolate I agree - it feels like if the call doesn't come before the end of the month (or today even) we'll have to wait until May.

Another of my friends, also 45 and with no health conditions, got the text inviting her to book today. She sent me a screenshot. It's just a link to the national booking site. I've tried the site and it says I am not eligible. Why would this be? That's 3 friends all invited, all 45 years old, within a 6 mile radius, but I can't book. They are at different doctors' surgeries but the strange thing is...I know that at least 2 of them are at surgeries where the booking is being handled by the same 3rd party agency (Procare). And we are ALL under Surrey Heartlands...

mrsknottschicken · 26/03/2021 09:56

In case it's helpful to anyone that's a bit anxious about missing out, I just thought I'd share that I spoke to 119 today. They explained that my friends are getting texts because their surgeries would have had capacity to move down the list, so they would have updated their details on the system. I guess that is what's happening elsewhere in the country too. She also said they were aiming to get texts and letters out to people aged 45+ within the next couple of weeks. I hope that reassures some of you :)

BoKatan · 26/03/2021 10:04

West Cumbria. 39, no health conditions. Getting it this afternoon.

I did hear that the AZ shipment from India had a short use by date which may be why?

Original poster
WombatChocolate · 26/03/2021 10:05

Mrs knot, thanks for that. The next couple of weeks sounds better than waiting until May. Thanks v much.

Still hoping to hear something today, but probably in vain to be honest.

Maybe loitering near vaccine bus close to closing time is a good idea.

OP posts:
EasterIssland · 26/03/2021 10:10

Dammit wish my husband was 46 instead of 43 :)
My gp is doing over 80s from now on , so I think that’s why my husband isn’t getting his call. Some other gps might have had less cv people so had more spares for those below 50

Saisong · 26/03/2021 10:22

I'm finding this frustrating, especially as I turn 50 later this year. In my town (Hampshire) there are a couple of doctors surgeries and one (not mine) is sending texts inviting people to book down to early 40s it seems. So hard to see people crowing on social media about the amazing efficient system when I am still having to sit tight, and losing all will to live.
(I know this is just sour grapes, and they'll get to me eventually. Of course every jab in an arm is a step closer. I'm just frustrated after a year of this Sad)

DeanImpala67 · 26/03/2021 10:26

North Bristol, invited via GP surgery last week. They have since ceased doing over 40s due to vaccine shortages but will resume in April apparently. The surgery have been amazing and are so efficient at vaccinating people that they got well ahead of the government targets.

en0la · 26/03/2021 10:27

Gloucester, in their 20s, no underlying conditions and had two doses of AZ.

mrsknottschicken · 26/03/2021 10:33

@Saisong

I'm finding this frustrating, especially as I turn 50 later this year. In my town (Hampshire) there are a couple of doctors surgeries and one (not mine) is sending texts inviting people to book down to early 40s it seems. So hard to see people crowing on social media about the amazing efficient system when I am still having to sit tight, and losing all will to live. (I know this is just sour grapes, and they'll get to me eventually. Of course every jab in an arm is a step closer. I'm just frustrated after a year of this Sad)
It's not sour grapes at all - your feelings are completely understandable!