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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:
WombatChocolate · 16/05/2021 18:31

I suppose, this all just makes me aware of how much lots of people expect to be fully in control of everything in their day and how unable and unwilling to accept things happening that change their plans, they are.

I guess our lives are mostly very well ordered and scheduled. And for most people the vaccine has been very well ordered and scheduled too. Most people report being in and out within 30 minutes. But gvien 53m to give x2 and a HUGE logistical exercise in terms of vaccine and staff, there will be delays sometimes and I'd have thought people would understand that and accept it, especially in light of the importance of people getting the jab, and how far ahead than the majority of the world we are.

But I see loads of moaning (like the basis of this thread) about all kinds of things, rather than the initial thought being to say 'wow, I'm eligible to book' or 'I had my jab today and am thrilled' but instead to moan that appointments aren't at the local centre, or that a 30 minute journey is necessary, or that another area has got ahead of their area.

It seems to me that this is the one time (or two as there are 2 jabs) when people are asked to do something that might create some kind of inconvenience for them. Yes, they might have to travel to the centre, yes there might be a delay and they have to wait longer than expected. Yes, they might have to plan ahead and arrange some childcare or some transport or brave the weather or whatever.....are these things really a BIG deal, in the context of a pandemic, that warrant being furious and pisssed off? Again, it's just this issue of per selctice in my mind.
And before anyone points out again that transport can be difficult for people, I know that and so does the government and there are local services that can provide transport fee of charge to anyone who needs it and jabs are available 7 days a week and centres have been open to 8pm. It might require a bit if planning to sort childcare, but if you've got possible appointments available 7 days a week and until 8pm it really can be arranged with a but of planning.

What things do people feel would be worth queuing for and be willing to do it without being pissed off, and fave some kind of personal inconvenience, if it's not for this? Or is it that life should never ever involve any possible inconvenience at all?

Faultymain5 · 16/05/2021 18:34

I would not have waited. There are loads of appointments and aid fo another day. If they’re that backed up I’m sure they’d understand.

kowari · 16/05/2021 18:36

It might require a bit if planning to sort childcare, but if you've got possible appointments available 7 days a week and until 8pm it really can be arranged with a but of planning.
My friend has been so far unable to make an appointment outside of work hours, I don't know if the appointments are already gone or what. She can't afford more time off work right now. Childcare costs money, missing work costs money, a small inconvenience for some means struggling to pay the bills for others.

ArianaDumbledore · 16/05/2021 18:39

I queued for about 40 minutes at a centre (booked online). Apparently first time they'd had this problem.

An angry man demanded to be allowed to queue jump as he'd left his child home alone some distance awayhmm.This was accommodated but tbh I could understand why they did.

A person a couple of places in front of me got right to just before vaccine but walked out when it transpired only the AZ available.

CaptainPovey · 16/05/2021 18:40

I would wait as long as it took

First jab - no wait

Second one, I was early and they ushered me in and were glad to see me

Would have waited though if I had to

CaptainPovey · 16/05/2021 18:41

Our vaccination centres also do weekends

Sirzy · 16/05/2021 18:42

I queued for about an hour for my first one. Not staying didn’t even cross my mind! Second one at the same place was in and out in 10 minutes

FunnyWonder · 16/05/2021 18:43

A few weeks into the pandemic, people probably would have queued all day and night for a vaccine. Now they only want to be seen when the planets are aligned. There was a thread a few months ago where posters were saying they would drive to a centre at the arse end of the country at stupid o'clock at night just to get a vaccine.

What a difference a year makes.

HalzTangz · 16/05/2021 18:44

@Crunchymum

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?

For as long as it took
WombatChocolate · 16/05/2021 18:48

Kowari, where people really cannot get an appointment that works for them and their situation, I would call the GP and explain that numerous efforts had been made to get appointments and that it wasn't working and see if a local appointment was available via the GP. Especially if your friend is in a cohort that were eligible for the jab a while ago, or might be considered disadvantaged in some way, I'm sure they would try to help.

And in the end, anyone who doesn't book on the national system, will be 'mopped up' and invited to local drop in jab centres, the vaccine bus or whatever works for them. The system is making HUGE efforts to ensure people don't get left behind and real attempts made to barriers to getting the jab are overcome. But it all takes a while. Hope your friend gets jabbed soon.

HalzTangz · 16/05/2021 18:51

That sad, I was in and out for both jabs, no eating time before or after

kowari · 16/05/2021 18:54

@WombatChocolate
Thanks, I'll advise her to try the GP. She's early forties so only just eligible. She's had a difficult time lately with other problems so I suspect has given up on the vaccine situation for now though.

GlencoraP · 16/05/2021 18:56

As long as it took

CarlottaValdez · 16/05/2021 18:59

Mine is this week and during work time. I’ve cancelled some meetings but won’t be able to stay out more than about 90 minutes. It’s only a ten minute walk though so hopefully that will be ok.

LindaEllen · 16/05/2021 19:03

@SummerSazz

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.

Same with DP with both of his! So speedy both times. The first time he went a little early (like 10 minutes) and we were back home by him actual appointment time!
Odagled · 16/05/2021 19:16

As long as it took, providing I had no massively pressing reason to be somewhere else.

RunningKatie · 16/05/2021 19:52

First jab at GP hub i walked straight in.
Second jab I queued outside for over an hour, one person was allowed to queue jump, rightly so, as they were diabetic and hadn't eaten (it was lunchtime).
I didn't see anyone leave the queue but when we got near the front I did hear they'd had technical issues first thing.

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