Abroad for second vaccine dose. What would you do?

[RoseEmelie]

Just to be clear I haven’t yet been called for my first dose but expecting it soon (early 40s). However that means I will probably be due to have my second dose late July but I will be abroad from early July to late August for family reasons.
What would you do in my place?
Delay the first jab to June time so that I can have my second dose in September?
Book the appointment ASAP when offered (ie most likely sometimes in May) and delay second jab to September but that would mean >12 weeks and the whole vaccine thus becoming ineffective.
Book the appointment ASAP when offered and hope I might be able to have my second dose earlier than 12 weeks apart, if supply does increase etc (which ironically would be more efficient from a protection point of view).
Before everyone asks, I cannot change my plans/dates for the summer so this is not a solution.
Thank you

Speak to doctor not MN.

Why wouldn't you just book first appt for early to mid June and second one for early to mid September?

Don’t go abroad without a first dose! Most countries have very low vaccine rates. Then just plan when you know for sure when it’s your turn.

You are very unlikely to get second jab early btw.

@Plumedenom that’s what I was thinking of doing but wondered if I was BU to think of delaying the first dose (not at risk or anything).
@DelilahTheParrot The issue is I think I know the answer already. I have done quite a lot of research on various GP surgeries/nhs trust websites and being abroad is not a reason to move forward the date of the second jab which is really a firm 11-12 weeks. But I might still have a word with them when I get called for my first jab to see what they advise.

@AdriannaP Oh I will definitely have the first dose before my trip anyway (I’m in my 40s and not leaving the country until early July).
I think I’ll just do that, wait for the call, speak to the doctor and plan the first dose so that I am around for the second.
Thanks

When I booked mine online, you had to book both at the same time, I had my first in March and my second the date offered was at 10 weeks.

If you have your first mid June, your second will be in September.

Contrary to what you might think, in my area atleast folk are being called up earlier than 12 weeks (myself included) with the norm seeming to be around 9 or 10 weeks (though have heard of 7/8!). Definitely take your first dose before you go and you might well be called up earlier than you might imagine x

Ring 119. The time space depends on the area, my DH is having his through one of the large hub and there was a a few days ley way in the booking system but I’m having mine done at the local GP hub and the appointments are 11 weeks apart to the minute.

thanks all. @mooshie06 Which area are you in?

I forgot to ask, when you get your first call, can you book a late appointment for the first jab, say one month or more after the invitation to book, or are all the appointments offered within a few weeks of the invitation?

I’m in Cheshire @RoseEmelie and my appointments have both been within the week of being offered x

the whole vaccine is unlikely to become ineffective after 12 weeks. It's more that they don't know entirely how long the protection from one dose will last, but it isn't expected to be all or nothing. So if you do end up waiting until September, it doesn't mean you might not still have some protection from the first dose. If you booked it now, you would have almost 10 weeks until you leave, and that might be enough to get a second appointment just before you went, if it's early July but not right the first day!

(early 40s might be able to book much sooner than May - like next week!)

@FlattestWhite You were right!
Believe it or not, I received a text this morning from my GP surgery to book my first appointment! Going tomorrow I should be having the second dose on the first or second week of July which is fine although I would prefer earlier so that I can leave earlier.
Thanks all

Ooh that sounds very lucky.

Clearly next time I want/need something, I'll write a post on MN if it makes it happen