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Original poster

If your vaccine appointment was during work, did you try to change it?

32 replies

eatsleepread · 03/05/2021 22:18

I work in a school, and the appointment I've been given is during school hours. I think I'd feel a bit guilty if I didn't attempt to change it, particularly as it will take a while to get to the test centre and back (it's not exactly on the doorstep). And then what if I feel rubbish afterwards? I've already had Covid though, and it was horrific, so for me it surely can't be that bad!
I'm not sure what the expectation from my employer would be in this situation. Should I gratefully accept my appointment time, or try to reschedule? What's the norm?
Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Teeshirt · 03/05/2021 22:21

How were you “given” this appointment? Everyone I know was able to choose a day and a time slot?

Original poster
eatsleepread · 03/05/2021 22:25

Not the case for me. I phoned the helpline, as I'm well in the age range currently being vaccinated, but hadn't yet received my letter. I had heard of people missing their appointments as their letters hadn't arrived in time. So I phoned to see if an appointment had been generated for me. It had. No choice at all as to date or time, but I'm in Scotland so maybe it operates differently here.

OP posts:
ChekhovsWorkshoppedShooter · 03/05/2021 22:30

Hmm. I took an appointment at 9am which meant that I didn’t get back to my desk until 9:30am. If I’d been given an appointment which meant taking the morning off I’d try to change it, but if that wasn’t possible I’d hope my employers would be understanding.

RubyWooRed · 03/05/2021 22:31

@Teeshirt

How were you “given” this appointment? Everyone I know was able to choose a day and a time slot?
Not in Scotland
Teeshirt · 03/05/2021 22:32

Is it not just a letter telling you to book an appointment? I had a letter and also a text inviting me to book an appointment. The actual slot choice was completely mine. I went on a Saturday. I suppose in your situation, I would definitely try to change it.

RubyWooRed · 03/05/2021 22:39

In Scotland it’s a letter with date time and venue

heymammy · 03/05/2021 22:42

I'm in Scotland too and have received a letter with an appointment date and time. Fortunately the vaccine centre is literally across the road from my office so I will work from the office and pop over for my appointment.

From what I've seen in others, any rough side effects come the next day so you should be OK at work op.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 03/05/2021 22:43

And in Wales.
Your letter informs you of the date and time of your appointment and if you can't make it you have to call to rearrange. I also work in a school but happily my appointment is on a Sunday. Other staff have been able to go for their appointment slots though.

Sparklingbrook · 03/05/2021 22:49

I was phoned by my GP surgery (England) and told exactly when my first and second jabs would be. I had to rearrange my shifts at work, but I didn't want to rearrange the appointment in case there was an issue getting it subsequently.
I get that this is more difficult because you work in a school but they must realise the importance of you having it?

lurker101 · 03/05/2021 22:52

It’s worth checking with your work/LA for what policies they have. Many corporates are providing paid time off for vaccination.

Perihelion · 03/05/2021 22:54

From what I can tell, it was possible to rearrange appointments, up until they ramped up the second doses. I'm in Lothian NHS area and have been trying to change my appointment venue online for over a week, but there's no available slots.

akahsvegjj · 03/05/2021 22:57

I work in a school and we have been specifically told we can't book vaccines during work time 🙄

Wobbitcatcher · 03/05/2021 22:58

I would definitely ask school for time off to go to it. You’ve worked all through this pandemic with barely any protection and shouldn’t have to delay getting some finally! Teachers are terrible for not feeling like they can have the time off they need (I know because I am also a teacher) school will cope!

ImInStealthMode · 03/05/2021 23:00

I'm really shocked by some of the above! I don't work in a school so appreciate it's easier for us but everyone in my company that has had their jab(s) has just gone in work time if that's when their appointment has been.

No questions asked, our employer is just happy to have everyone vaccinated ASAP.

minniemomo · 03/05/2021 23:16

I chose my appointment time online?

Comefromaway · 03/05/2021 23:19

I got a choice as I booked on the web. I booked the following day off in case I didn’t feel well.

Dh who is a teacher didn’t get a choice. He was given a date and time by the GP. It was when schools were still online but he had to have time off that afternoon.

Selkiesarereal · 03/05/2021 23:26

Also in Scotland here and my dh had to rearrange his and it was quite easy to do. I went in working hours and work didn’t have a problem at all.
Maybe speak to your head and see what they say?

mineofuselessinformation · 03/05/2021 23:28

I booked my first vaccine for a time when I didn't need cover.
I tried looking at my online calendar for my second appointment, but it wasn't populated that far ahead, so I booked the first one I could get.
Several people in my school have already had cover for their (first in some cases) appointments, so I'm not worried about having it for mine.
Just go for it, but have cover prepared in advance.
I didn't, and was one of the unlucky people who felt like absolute shit - high temp, hot and cold, achey, and ended up spending a Saturday in bed as I really crashed by then. (I was in that horrible not so ill I could say prepare cover, but ill enough that I didn't feel up to working situation.)

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 03/05/2021 23:35

Scotland too, and I was lucky mine was last Saturday evening, but my work have said we are fine (and absolutely should) to go in work time as long as we let our manager know. DP has an appointment at 8am next Sunday which he is less than delighted with - we don’t have a car and the vaccine centre is quite a long bus journey away.

I think the system in England where you choose your own appointment is much better.

Original poster
eatsleepread · 03/05/2021 23:43

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Torvean · 04/05/2021 01:07

Take the appt. The schools can cover you. The sites are very effective. If you feel ok ( and the grand majority do) you leave 10 minutes after . In a lot of places you go outside and wait in your car.
I think its so important to get as many ppl vaccinated as soon as we can.

Torvean · 04/05/2021 01:09

For ppl getting appointments in Scotland can I ask what age range you are in?

HeartvsBrain · 04/05/2021 02:04

Just ring up and ask at the vaccine centre if you can change your appointment time. You will be polite, they will be polite, and if the answer is "sorry, but no you can't" then you have your answer. Your school will be fine about it, especially as you tried to change it.

Original poster
eatsleepread · 04/05/2021 05:06

@Torvean

I'll be 47 in a few weeks' time.

OP posts:
Nootkah · 04/05/2021 08:04

For people asking how an appointmemt was "given"... In Wales and Scotland our appointments are sent theough thebpost, bu the NHS. We havent paid millions to Boris's mate to run a self booking website for us.

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