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Original poster

How long would you queue for your vaccine (yes you were given an appointment)

142 replies

Crunchymum · 15/05/2021 15:45

Interested to hear.

Dedicated vaccination hub (GP surgery but currently at weekends only* does covid vaccines)

  • appointment system (booked online)

  • no information provided about waiting times on arrival by staff

  • longish queue on arrival (40 mins just to get into the inside waiting area)

How long would you wait in this situation?

OP posts:
Changeismyname · 15/05/2021 15:46

I would stand in the queue as long as was needed

EsmereldaMargaretNoteSpelling · 15/05/2021 15:46

As long as it took...

cnversation · 15/05/2021 15:47

FIL queued for two hours

EsmereldaMargaretNoteSpelling · 15/05/2021 15:47

I mean I might whinge about it a bit internally, but you bet your life I'd stay till that needle was in my arm!

CaptainCallisto · 15/05/2021 15:48

Assuming I was fit and able to wait, then as long as it took. If I had any sort of disability or impairment that made it difficult to wait, then as long as I was able without causing myself harm.

purplehulahoop · 15/05/2021 15:48

Just queue for ad long as it takes

kowari · 15/05/2021 15:48

If it was on a workday, until I knew I wouldn't get back within my two hours paid appointment leave.

FizzyPink · 15/05/2021 15:48

As long as it took. I’d love to be eligible for mine right now

LubaLuca · 15/05/2021 15:50

As long as it took. I wouldn't want to walk off unless I really couldn't wait any longer.

partyatthepalace · 15/05/2021 15:50

As long as it took.

feckwit · 15/05/2021 15:52

I’d turn straight around. Serious mental health issues, rarely leave the house and that would tip me over the edge.

littlepeas · 15/05/2021 15:53

As long as it took. If only have to come back and wait again on another occasion so may as well get it over with. My appointment took an hour in total - dh was in and out in 20 mins (including his sit down).

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/05/2021 15:55

Friend had to leave (her childcare had to go to work) and couldn't wait.

She is now regretting her decision. However it was her second jab, first one was in and out in half an hour (she allowed 90 mins for today's appts)

Mine first jab was flawless so not sure if waiting is common?

(And I probably didn't ask the right question to begin with. Really I'd like to know how common waiting is!)

OP posts:
BramStoker · 15/05/2021 15:55

If I'd already queued for 40 mins to get to the indoor section of the queue then I would just stick it out and wait as long as it took (assuming there is no critical reason for me to get somewhere else by a certain time)

WhatHaveIFound · 15/05/2021 15:56

As long as it took in a socially distanced queue. My MIL waited 40 mins outdoors for her first one in January and we had to deforst her afterwards!

Both DH and I were in within 10 mins of our appointment times.

CthulhuChristmas · 15/05/2021 15:59

Probably not long enough. For my first dose I showed up a few minutes before my appointment time, hoping to be in and out quickly. Had to wait over 30 minutes in a busy indoor area and then the doctor administering the vaccine was very concerned about the nasty red rash I'd developed while waiting. Not an allergy, just stress!

The point of having an appointment system is so this sort of thing doesn't happen. Minor delays might be unavoidable at times, but long queues means they're over-booking.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/05/2021 15:59

Friend's other issue was lack of communication. None of the staff mentioned any delay or were offering water / toilet facilities (I know most people can go without them for a reasonable amount of time but if this would have happened to me i'd have been without a drink and wouldn't have eaten yet that day and would have been unprepared for a 2 hour wait.... again I know that is my look out)

OP posts:
SummerSazz · 15/05/2021 15:59

Wow. I was in and through in 4 mins for both jabs. So well run at the local town central surgery they are using.

In reality I'd queue for as long as it took but that really shouldn't happen if people have allotted appointment times.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/05/2021 16:01

Once she did the 40 min outside wait and got to a member of staff (and asked!) She was told up to an hours wait inside. Plus the jab / after wait etc.

OP posts:
zoemum2006 · 15/05/2021 16:04

I hate queuing but for this I’d queue all day because it’s the only way we’re getting out of this show.

AlmostSummer21 · 15/05/2021 16:05

At our GP's (also only doing Saturdays) no one I know has waited at all (just moving from name check outside, to the line inside to be allocated a room (waiting1-2 minutes)

Our area was commended for the speed of the roll out of vaccinations too

I have been astounded seeing the queues on the news (here in the U.K.)

I would have been really annoyed at having to wait because there's no need for it

I suppose I would have waited as long as I was able, but I couldn't physically stand in line for hours so I'd have asked if they could hold my place if I waited on a bench.

kowari · 15/05/2021 16:06

If they know they are that far behind then why not give people a time they are safe to go get a coffee or similar for? At least 40 minutes behind and people can leave, come back, maybe wait another 20 minutes but better that than an hour? Or cancel if they know they have to be somewhere.

Thatsmycupoftea · 15/05/2021 16:06

I would complain about the wait (to dh once I got home not to anyone there or to staff) but I'd still stand in that line looking clam and collected, till midnight if that's how long it took, because I'm British and its what we do.

Luckily I was in and out for both my vaccines.

Thatsmycupoftea · 15/05/2021 16:08

Calm not clam for goodness sake

CaptainMyCaptain · 15/05/2021 16:08

I'd wait for as long as it took but I didn't have to wait at all for either of mine.