Cancel vax appointment to let higher priority to go ahead?

[Suranjeep]

I’m 38 so became eligible to book a vaccine this week, which I duly did. First appointment next wed.

Now with the announcement that groups 1-9 will now be shortened I feel, assuming it isn’t cancelled by the NHS, I should cancel it myself and let the more vulnerable to first. After all I’m still young(ish) and have no health issues and am not overweight etc

Does anyone else feel this way?

Of course I mean time between vaccines for 1-9 will be shortened not that the groups will be shortened

Vaccination helps limit transmission too, so it does help others for you to be vaccinated.

You have no idea who'd get the appointment. Could easily be another 30-something.

Just go for it.

I'm not sure what you mean by shortened but surely all those vulnerable groups have had plenty of chance to get it done, and won't necessarily take your spot if you leave it empty.

Nah keep it and have it. Second doses will be allocated as necessary for those who are vulnerable (who should have been offered first jab a while ago), and any jab helps overall tbh.

No, Whitty was clear that the vaccines being brought forward are largely AZ, so the non-vulnerable under 40s won’t be affected.

@SleepingStandingUp

I'm not sure what you mean by shortened but surely all those vulnerable groups have had plenty of chance to get it done, and won't necessarily take your spot if you leave it empty.

Those in groups 1-9 are to now go back for their second within 8 weeks not 12.

By me getting out of the way next week one of those could come in quicker.

I am of the opinion that people faffing about with their appointments is a massive waste of NHS time. And unless you’re going to persuade about half a million of your mates to do the same, your gesture (although well meant) will have no effect whatsoever on the vaccination programme. Just go to the appointment.

@Lucidas

No, Whitty was clear that the vaccines being brought forward are largely AZ, so the non-vulnerable under 40s won’t be affected.

That’s interesting thanks, as I’m going to a small pharmacy though it’s still time available to them.

Id just get it donex

Just go and have the vaccine! A vaccine given to anyone at this point is a step forward.

In my area it’s group 6 currently getting 2nd vaccines. The vulnerable are sorted unless they opted out.

They are trying to extra protect the vulnerable but ALSO vaccinate all the younger ones that are causing the transmission. It's a race from both sides.

@Puntastic

You have no idea who'd get the appointment. Could easily be another 30-something.

Just go for it.

A good point, I’m surprised they haven’t limited it back to only 40 or even 45 plus being able to book until these quicker 2nd doses are done.

No you shouldn't cancel your appointment, the 5 minutes that it will atke to have your jab is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things. If the experts felt it was neccessary they would say so. You need to look at the overall bigger picture.

Don’t be daft. Plenty of appointment times will be made available for those due second doses. It won’t be an either or.

I am of the opinion that people faffing about with their appointments is a massive waste of NHS time. And unless you’re going to persuade about half a million of your mates to do the same, your gesture (although well meant) will have no effect whatsoever on the vaccination programme. Just go to the appointment

totally agree. minimise admin, keep the appointment.

Get the vaccine

I would just go for it as helps reduce transmission and most protection is from first jab. Also in our area at least vulnerable seem to be being done via GP and others via mass vaccination centres so different lists. I did feel like you though, well wished people higher risk in developing countries with high covid rates could have had it before me but that's out of my control. I think most of group 1 to 9 have had second vaccine here.

@Silkiecats

I would just go for it as helps reduce transmission and most protection is from first jab. Also in our area at least vulnerable seem to be being done via GP and others via mass vaccination centres so different lists. I did feel like you though, well wished people higher risk in developing countries with high covid rates could have had it before me but that's out of my control. I think most of group 1 to 9 have had second vaccine here.

Yes, my husband booked his through the GP hub, I booked mine through the priority group list thing (job role) Booked completely differently, and at totally different places.

The limit on vaccine rollout is not appointments - they could do them at triple the rate if need be - it's vaccine supplies. Second doses are overwhelmingly going to be Astrazeneca ones, which as an under 40yo you won't be getting. So non-vulnerable groups can be vaccinated without any effect on the speed at which vulnerable groups receive theirs. Definitely don't hold back, it's now really a question of as many jabs in as many arms as fast as possible!

You will probably get Pfizer, its 2nd dose AZ doses that are mostly being brought forward.

I would get it done.

Just get it.

I'd just leave it for now tbh. Until 5:30 this afternoon it was perfectly fine for fifty-plus me to return for my second jab in a fortnight's time, 12 weeks after the first one, and now I should have had it done two weeks ago instead. There's currently no local mechanism in place to bump me up, and I wouldn't want someone else to step aside to facilitate this anyway.

If you're looking for an excuse then own it, otherwise take the appointment. The system will deal with it just fine.