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Original poster

Bringing 2nd dose forward - have you done it?

75 replies

Tambora · 16/05/2021 10:32

Has anybody else had a text today and successfully moved their 2nd appointment forward? How did you do it? All I can find when I try is that you can manage your appointments online but there doesn't seem to be an option to change the date, just to cancel the 2nd one. I haven't done that, it's only in a fortnight anyway.

What are you supposed to do? Cancel the existing one and then re-book a new one?

OP posts:
EsmereldaMargaretNoteSpelling · 16/05/2021 10:35

Yes, cancel and rebook. Currently the only way, don't bother if it's within the next month anyway

Scarby9 · 16/05/2021 10:36

Mine is on May 31. I read they are offering people booked after 24 May an earlier appointment.
I haven't had any text yet, but would be scared to cancel my appointment in case there wasn't an earlier one at a time I could do.
An appointment in the hand is better than two in the bush, as the well known saying says!

Original poster
Tambora · 16/05/2021 10:39

I think I'll stick with the one I've got on June 1st then - it's at the nearest centre to me so like you @Scarby9 I don't want to cancel it and then find that I can't re-book at a place and time I can do.

OP posts:
HelloMissus · 16/05/2021 10:41

I’m booked for first week of June.
I think I’ll leave it because it’s at a super convenient time and place.

3catsandcounting · 16/05/2021 10:44

I’ve just bitten the bullet and cancelled and re-booked. My original 2nd jab was on 31st May. I got a huge choice of dates and times for this week, so now going tomorrow. I’d rather get it over with after suffering with the 1st jab.

Twiglets1 · 16/05/2021 10:46

My second one is May 31st. Yesterday I cancelled it to rebook an ealier one and guess what...no appointments.

I phoned 119 and was told to phone again later on in the week. The only appointment they could offer me was one at a less convenient venue also on May 31st which I took in a panic but am hoping to get a text.

Fitforforty · 16/05/2021 11:00

I booked my first one through the local community hub website. Mine is more complicated because it was due to my DH being immune suppressed and it was difficult enough to book the first so I have no idea how to rebook.

cromwell44 · 16/05/2021 11:06

I am in exactly the same position as OP and others. I’m nervous about cancelling my 1st June appointment without a guarantee of an earlier one. I don’t want to to be left high and dry without an appointment that is no earlier than the one I already have. A rescheduling option rather than a cancellation would be handy but as it stands, I think I’ll hang on until 1st June.

WeWantAMackerelNotASprat · 16/05/2021 11:09

Mine is June 20th, I don't want to cancel in case I get a rubbish time

Original poster
Tambora · 16/05/2021 11:44

After fiddling about online, I bit the bullet and rang 119 where you are faced with a barrage of 'press this, press that' and the upshot being that you are perpetually regaled with 'Did you know you can do this or that online?' at every turn, but by sheer perseverance I got through to the bit where it offers for you to speak to an actual person. There, I was greeted with the message that they were incredibly busy dealing with other calls, did I know I could do all this online, and in the meantime, goodbye and I got cut off.

How they think that the many people unable to use the internet will be able to use this service, I really don't know.

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 16/05/2021 11:45

I just went on the website again and this time I did manage to get an earlier appointment! Wednesday 19th instead of Monday 31st. But you do have to feel brave to cancel the appointment.

Twiglets1 · 16/05/2021 11:47

@Tambora

After fiddling about online, I bit the bullet and rang 119 where you are faced with a barrage of 'press this, press that' and the upshot being that you are perpetually regaled with 'Did you know you can do this or that online?' at every turn, but by sheer perseverance I got through to the bit where it offers for you to speak to an actual person. There, I was greeted with the message that they were incredibly busy dealing with other calls, did I know I could do all this online, and in the meantime, goodbye and I got cut off.

How they think that the many people unable to use the internet will be able to use this service, I really don't know.

I had the same experience when I called them yesterday although I did eventually speak to a person. I felt it would be incredibly offputting to anyone too elderly to be able to cope with the online booking system or without access to the internet.
Original poster
Tambora · 16/05/2021 12:04

My MIL is in her late 90's and is supposed to book GP surgery appointments etc online. Confused

The people who need the service the most are the very ones who are least able to access it.

OP posts:
roguetomato · 16/05/2021 12:12

Thanks for the thread, OP. I was wondering about this.
Mine is first week of June. And I think I'll leave it after reading this thread, not long wait anyway.

Mindymomo · 16/05/2021 12:29

I will leave mine for 4 June, unless I get a text. It’s one day short of 12 weeks.

antshouse · 16/05/2021 12:31

DH had that text but as his second is booked already for the 31st May, and only option is to cancel and rebook, he has also opted to keep the original booking.

Veuvelily · 16/05/2021 12:35

I cancelled and rebooked for Tuesday, loads of appts available

PicsInRed · 16/05/2021 12:39

Is this only for older age groups, or are the younger cohorts also able to cancel and rebook sooner now?

Earliest I could get for 2nd jab was 12 weeks after the 1st!

VienneseWhirligig · 16/05/2021 12:43

I had mine last week - I didn't realise this was a new initiative but was surprised that my GP texted me to book, as I was expecting my 2nd jab to be mid June. I'm in my early 40s.

Dementedswan · 16/05/2021 12:48

@PicsInRed it's for groups 1 to 9. Nhs will be in touch to arrange apts at 8 weeks instead of 12.

PicsInRed · 16/05/2021 12:52

[quote Dementedswan]@PicsInRed it's for groups 1 to 9. Nhs will be in touch to arrange apts at 8 weeks instead of 12.[/quote]
Ah, thanks. Thought that was too good to be true (for me)!

MeanderingGently · 16/05/2021 12:57

Honestly, just go online and cancel your appointment first and then rebook. It's easy and it works. I can understand you don't want to cancel, because you're afraid you'll lose the date you've already got...I thought the same....but actually, you can rebook easily, at the same venue and there are extra slots. I've done it and now having my jab this afternoon....

Original poster
Tambora · 16/05/2021 12:58

@PicsInRed

Is this only for older age groups, or are the younger cohorts also able to cancel and rebook sooner now?

Earliest I could get for 2nd jab was 12 weeks after the 1st!

I got a text this morning inviting me to re-book sooner and I'm in the 55+ age group.
OP posts:
vera99 · 16/05/2021 13:05

Just done it after a 44 minuted wait on 119. Moved from 7th July to 11th June. The op has to cancel and rebook and tells you it's a gamble, but if you are flexible on dates and locations then I would assume there is no problem getting an earlier appointment.

Fifthtimelucky · 16/05/2021 13:08

I'm 60 and have just been to look at the website I'm reluctant to cancel my current appointment (6 June, which is 11 weeks after the first) because there wasn't much local availability when I booked it and I don't want to lose my slot if there is nothing better.

It's such a shame that you can't see what else is available before you cancel.

The NHS website says to wait to be contacted, so I think I'll just do that and see what happens.