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45-49s jabs news, 40-44s watching and waiting thread

999 replies

MRex · 14/04/2021 15:54

Follow-on to the happy thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4210673-Can-the-40-49-age-group-now-book-their-vaccine.

(I'm jabbed, but just here to read happy news of jabs and try to book DH when it's his time.)

OP posts:
user34254356 · 21/04/2021 06:46

@hahaboink @Sloelydoesit great news! Guys and Kings are my two local hospitals but sadly no text message for me. Are appointments few weeks in advance or will you be able to book for this week? Wondering if you can report back which vaccine was being offered there?

It's possible though Guys like other hospital hubs may be closing down at the end of this month and so may be trying to get through its supplies. So by the time they open national booking I might not be able to book there anyway.

newmum1976 · 21/04/2021 07:18

I am also almost 45 in SE London and got the text from Guys. I’m booked in tomorrow at St Thomas’, and early July for second dose.

NuttyinNotts · 21/04/2021 07:23

@WombatChocolate

Motorina, that’s interesting.

I wonder what that will mean...for some people will it mean they can only book on the national booking site and get a mass centre or pharmacy? I have seen some local GP services such as drop-ins or vaccine buses be available to all local people and not just those registered with a particular GP.

I suppose, as we go down the ages, people really can generally travel and that isn’t such a barrier - that said, a vaccinator on another thread reported doing jabs for over 80s and 75+ in the early days when there weren’t loads of centres and said pretty much everyone booked and they all managed to get there even in December. So actually the travel thing is often not really about just travel but often the priority people give the jab. If there are less lcoal GP led services I think take up will be lower as some people just won’t be bothered enough to travel or to overcome the obstacles that some of them do face to getting to the mass centres.

The thing is, jabbing sounds like it’s going to be an lost continual thing for a good while. If boosters need to be given, GPs will want to be very careful about what they commit to...because they have to prioritise their use of time and resources. Bigger hubs are more efficient and can be focused solely on that task and perhaps a dual system of GPs everywhere and mass sites via a national booking system is a luxury we cannot have into the long term future. I think the system will continue to evolve as we move down the ages and adapt it. It’s right for it to evolve and not remain static because of the way it started off. It’s a mammoth logistical exercise and fascinating how it’s all run and supplies procured and transported and allocated.

I think when it comes to the 80+ year olds getting to the mass vaccination centres, its often about the priority other people put on the jab. Friends and relatives really went all out to do what was needed to get people there, Uber offered free rides. The worry is that those who will struggle to make their own way there in the lower groups won't have the community impetus behind them to support that.

There will probably need to be some new mass vaccination centres coming online for those areas that are underserved. For example my nearest mass centre is 1hr40 minutes away by public transport (2 busses and a tram). If the local hubs shut down then I'll do it, but could only really take appointment slots between 11 and half 1 due to the school run. It would put a lot of younger people off, particularly as we are a city with good public transport and so car ownership is lower.

MRex · 21/04/2021 07:43

There are also weekend appointments, or shift workers could book on a day off. I don't think anyone wanting a jab will find it difficult to arrange an appointment, it's people who are hesitant that will be less likely. That's where innovate solutions will be needed by local authorities; looking at actual rates by MSOA and providing walk-ins that are supported on the ground by strong community effort. Those might be most efficient later when any age can be jabbed. We are past the most vulnerable age groups, so I personally feel while supplies are low that it may be better to focus on everyone who wants the jab first; let results be used to persuade hesitant people, so anyone can see vaccinated people are fine, with lower case rates and admissions, etc. I don't think it's appropriate to delay vaccinating a work-exposed 44 year old because a bunch of 45yo aren't sure yet. Same with 39/40 and any other cut-off.

OP posts:
mumohhey · 21/04/2021 08:57

I spoke to my GP surgery yesterday and they aren't getting any more deliveries of vaccines! What they have will have to go to 2nd doses. They can not offer anyone under 50 a first dose. She thinks it's because the vaccine deliveries are going to the mass vaccination centres. They aren't prioritised anymore. So for me who was 45 early April, the only advice was to either beg my local mass vaccination centre to squeeze me in without an appointment or find a walk in centre. There are none near me so I might get on the tube to central London where there are a few.

ilovebrie8 · 21/04/2021 09:05

I had my first at my doctors surgery do they call you when you are getting your second? It’s not like the online systems where you book both dates at same time...

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/04/2021 09:11

I was told I would get another text to book my second one nearer time

Sloelydoesit · 21/04/2021 09:13

[quote user34254356]**@hahaboink* @Sloelydoesit* great news! Guys and Kings are my two local hospitals but sadly no text message for me. Are appointments few weeks in advance or will you be able to book for this week? Wondering if you can report back which vaccine was being offered there?

It's possible though Guys like other hospital hubs may be closing down at the end of this month and so may be trying to get through its supplies. So by the time they open national booking I might not be able to book there anyway. [/quote]
Yes, booked in tomorrow and early July. I'll report back on which one I get

AprilShowerThoughts · 21/04/2021 09:15

I had mine on Saturday in Sandwell at Cape Hill Asda. Im 46 and booked both doses online very easily the moment the bar dropped. Very quick and efficient, AZ only one on offer. I had virtually no side effects other than restless legs for a couple of nights but that could be as I'd been drinking red wine and it doesn't agree with me Grin

mumohhey · 21/04/2021 10:41

@mumohhey

I spoke to my GP surgery yesterday and they aren't getting any more deliveries of vaccines! What they have will have to go to 2nd doses. They can not offer anyone under 50 a first dose. She thinks it's because the vaccine deliveries are going to the mass vaccination centres. They aren't prioritised anymore. So for me who was 45 early April, the only advice was to either beg my local mass vaccination centre to squeeze me in without an appointment or find a walk in centre. There are none near me so I might get on the tube to central London where there are a few.
Update...popped to the Science Museum in South Kensington and it was so easy! The vaccination centre there welcome drop ins with open arms. They want as many as possible to get vaccinated. Just show proof of age and NHS no. So relieved I went. Had Astra Zeneca.
jay55 · 21/04/2021 10:49

mumphhey thanks for the great update.

LacyEdge · 21/04/2021 11:18

Had mine at Hemel Hospital first thing. Had AZ. I’m 46. Amazingly efficient and lovely volunteers. I’m still in awe at how well this rollout is going.

wintertravel1980 · 21/04/2021 11:53

Had AZ this morning at the local GP led vaccination centre. A very efficient process. I have been very impressed:).

oohmyback · 21/04/2021 11:58

My sister and bil have had there's now! (45) I'm 43 so hoping for my invite soon! My husband already had jab no 1 as he has an underlying condition.

TooManyPlatesInMotion · 21/04/2021 12:01

@newmum1976 that is fab news. I am the same part of London as you, and 41. Hopefully not much longer.

FreeButtonBee · 21/04/2021 13:51

just got my text in SW London and am booked in for next Friday. There were loads of slots available. I am 41

BobBobBobbing · 21/04/2021 15:58

Just got my invite! (41years old NE England)

Wingingit15 · 21/04/2021 16:07

Can someone explain if the people who are getting links to book in 40-45 group - is this gp led given the national eligibility is still 45?

newmum1976 · 21/04/2021 16:10

Mine wasn’t GP led. It was a text from the NHS trust which sent me to their own booking system for the major vaccination centre.

FreeButtonBee · 21/04/2021 17:17

Mine was GP led although I will be having it at another GP surgery nearby. So it really seems to depend on the area.

wintertravel1980 · 21/04/2021 17:27

Mine was GP led as well.

Wingingit15 · 21/04/2021 17:31

@newmum1976

Mine wasn’t GP led. It was a text from the NHS trust which sent me to their own booking system for the major vaccination centre.
That’s great - just seems a bit odd and can’t really understand sequencing 😂
user34254356 · 21/04/2021 17:55

Interesting that some are GP led versus others are through NHS. No beep here, the only text messages I have received today are promotions. I am also in SE london, probably blacklisted by my GP for having called twice to ask when I am going to be vaccinated!!

BobBobBobbing · 21/04/2021 18:39

Mine was a GP invite- I've got rheumatoid arthritis but it isn't severe enough to qualify me for group 6 so wonder if they are using up spares on the slightly dodgy but not quite cv group.

SilenceIsNoLongerSuspicious · 21/04/2021 19:51

For anyone without a car who can access the train line to Waterloo or the Croydon tram, once you can book there is a test centre in the same building as Wimbledon station - it couldn’t be closer. It’s on the system as Wimbledon Centre Court. I walked past and saw people with sandwich boards advertising it, so I’m assuming they have capacity!