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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:
blueangel19 · 15/05/2021 16:12

I queue 1 hr and 30 mins. Not a big deal.

Soontobe60 · 15/05/2021 16:12

I queued for 30 minutes for my first jab. Had my second today, went prepared with a coffee, coat, umbrella and fully charged phone. Queued for an hour. I didn’t really mind.

WinterStrawbsAreLikeTurnip · 15/05/2021 16:12

Standing queue? About 15-30 minutes. I can't stand that long due to disability.

Nootkah · 15/05/2021 16:15

I'd wait as long as it took. In early december at the beginning of the roll out before the centres had got themselves in gear, colleagues of mine were waiting over an hour in driving/freezing rain for theirs. It does sound a shambles and im sure your friend felt she couldnt possibly wait any longer. Maybe the surgery was let down by staff/had staff sickness meaning they had fewer working than expected, or maybe there was a hiccough in the appointments and too many were sent out?

What hapoens re second jab in this situation? Is it automatically rebooked or has she missed her chance?

Doomsdayisstillcoming · 15/05/2021 16:15

I’ve taken half a days A/L. I’d queue for as long as it takes.

rainbowfairydust · 15/05/2021 16:16

Might take my tent chair and snacks when I get invited then!
I would probably feel quite stressed though as I've avoided being inside around people for over a year and to then have to wait with loads of people especially inside (knowing covid spreads with no signs and masks don't work!) then it would be an anxious wait!
Plus I'd have left my baby with my OH and she would need a feed... You'd hope they'd have signs up with estimated times or do a ticket system and just call your number or something!

Spekoppar · 15/05/2021 16:16

As long as it took, although in reality I was there less than five minutes for mine.

MintyMabel · 15/05/2021 16:16

Wait however long is needed.

In future she should find an emergency option for childcare. We have virtually nobody but us for childcare, no family close by but even I managed to find an emergency solution if we need it.

TooStressyTooMessy · 15/05/2021 16:17

Hours.

Dryadia · 15/05/2021 16:19

We had about 40 min total wait ( outside in rain about 30 mins) All vulnerable/older as part of the GP call up, queueing around the building for the first jab. Saw one person walk away ( the son in front of us, so not actually there for the jab)

His mother than admitted at the door she had tested positive a week before and was sent away. The volunteers were fuming and I do not blame them. We had all been called before hand and specifically asked about covid tests and flu jabs etc.

2nd jab, absolutely no wait, straight in and out in minutes, just hope it is not because people have been put off having it.

nordica · 15/05/2021 16:21

Mine took about an hour from arrival to leaving after the jab, including the 15 minute observation the end. Large centre with queues at various points but all very well organised.

Would have waited as long as it took, though.

Jessbow · 15/05/2021 16:22

shouldn't need to queue.

If there is a queue its suggestive of their being something gone wrong.
I volunteer at a vaccine centre- I do the booking in.

We have 8 people every 10 min slot, 2 or 3 vaccinators depending on the co-hort

We dont have queues UNLESS something has gone wrong.

It helps enormously if everyone turns up at their allotted time.

Wannabangbang · 15/05/2021 16:23

As long as it takes I'm happy to be offered it so would take it up queue or no queue in a heartbeat lol

EvilPea · 15/05/2021 16:24

@MintyMabel

Wait however long is needed.

In future she should find an emergency option for childcare. We have virtually nobody but us for childcare, no family close by but even I managed to find an emergency solution if we need it.

I genuinely have no one.

You can only do what you can do.

EATmum · 15/05/2021 16:25

It'll be volunteers rather than staff managing and the days can be hugely different. The centre where I volunteer is usually very efficient with people in and out in minutes. But when there's a computer glitch, a patient who feels ill or other problems, it can back up a bit. Most people are lovely about it, but I do appreciate that if you're stressed or not in good health, it's much harder. We do try and spot when people need a chair but will always try and help if someone asks.

DancesWithDaffodils · 15/05/2021 16:25

I has an appoinynent at a hub today.
The only time I didnt go straight to speak to whomever I needed to was when I was held for about a minute until a vaccinator became available.
I was home in just over an hour, and 40 mins was driving!

I think if you have an appointment time, you should expect be seen around then, and after allowing for waiting 90 mins it was not unreasonable of your friend to then have to leave

TeamMummy · 15/05/2021 16:26

I booked mine at 7:15pm on a Sunday, latest option was 7.25pm. I queued for two minutes. Not sure if you can book late but I have for my second too

DrMadelineMaxwell · 15/05/2021 16:27

I've just queued in the rain for an hour for mine. Well worth it.

My colleague queued at the same vaccine hub for 2.5 hours yesterday.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 15/05/2021 16:29

I queued for 2 minutes and that's because I was early. Jab done, waited for 15 minutes observation and left. I'm really shocked to hear people are queuing for hours.

cabbageking · 15/05/2021 16:31

First jab out in an hour and half ( lunch time)
2nd time was 5th person through the door, out in 25 minutes.
Some were on the list for later times but they still took them.
I assume others were outside with earlier times but the room was full with who ever was queuing first.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/05/2021 16:31

I think friend was caught out as first time she was in and out in less than 30 minutes.

Agree that something must have happened to back it up so badly. It's our local hub and the only time I've heard anyone have such issues.

Although I suppose the staff could have advised?

OP posts:
IndigoC · 15/05/2021 16:35

The process took 75 minutes for me. Most of it I was stuck in the queue (mostly indoors) next to a very sick woman. She kept removing her mask to blow her nose and cough.

I’m glad I wore a proper N95 mask.

Original poster
Crunchymum · 15/05/2021 16:35

I was actually due for my second jab today (same place, later in the day) but I had a migraine yesterday and wasn't sure I'd be feeling up to it. If it had been a two hour appointment I'd have probably left myself as I'm still a bit ropey.

OP posts:
ZoeMaye · 15/05/2021 16:36

I would have waited an unreasonable time probably once I had already waited 40mins outside. But if you have to go pick your kids up you have to go pick your kids up, right?

MintyCedric · 15/05/2021 16:41

I had my first jab at end Feb, midday on a weekend...similar set up...probably about 30-40 minutes wait in total.

Had my second one 9am Tuesday morning...same place...straight in probably waited outside the room itself for about a minute and a half, was home before 9.30.

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