Waiting to be called for vaccine vs booking online now - time lag?

[FreeFallingFree]

I realise this may come down to unknowns like how lumpy vaccine supply is and the demographics of the area, but I have relatives who are eligible to book their vaccine online but who want to wait until they get a letter inviting them to a local venue as opposed to travelling to a hub. Does anyone have any idea about how much longer they might have to wait vs booking online now? Other people in the area who have booked today are being jabbed later this week.

I'm trying to figure out if they are adding days, weeks or longer onto their wait time. They have underlying health conditions which makes me think that if it's the latter it might be worth them travelling the extra distance.

2nd dose clinic supplies are earmarked for those who had that specific jab 11-12 weeks ago. They MUST have their jab now whereas those who haven’t had their 1st jab could have it now or later...no time restraint.

Most GP supply is earmarked for specific people who were jabbed with AZ or Pfizer in those periods before. It must be used for 2nd doses people and they must attend the right clinic to get the same jab as first time round.

If GPs run 4 clinics in a week, it is likely all 4 or at least 3 are for 2nd doses people. This is becaue supply isn’t high enough for many 1st dose people and lots of 2nd dose need it and have priority. GPs are not receiving supply for 1st doses in weeks of 12 and 19 April. That means they can only jab 1st does patients if they have some left over stock that came before 12 April, or if they have an odd dose left at the end of a clinic for 2nd doses.

This is why people are advised to book on national system. Yes, it’s more likely to be a longer journey, but that’s where the vaccine availability and appointments are.

Some people are hearing that GPs are offering appts and deciding to wait for local. Well, people might get lucky, but GPs haven’t got enough vaccine for all the 45-49s over the next 2 weeks. They won’t get anymore than they already have until 26 April. So if you wait too long, you might be disappointed, especially if appointments are harder to come by due to limited supply, in the national booking sites too.

A bird in the hand..l

Thanks for that info. @WombatChocolate