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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:
Fitforforty · 16/05/2021 13:27

After looking at the efficacy of vaccinations at 6 and 12 weeks I’ve decided to wait for my original appointment.

Northernsoulgirl45 · 16/05/2021 13:30

Did it online after receiving etext this morning. Was hoping to get a closer venue but back to original venue about 10 dsys earlier.

Original poster
Tambora · 16/05/2021 13:52

@vera99

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.
I couldn't even get that far earlier, their system must have been overwhelmed at the time I rang, because it didn't even put me in a queue to wait, it just said 'Goodbye' and hung up!

My original one is in less than a fortnight anyway, so I have decided to leave it at that.

OP posts:
TheOrigRights · 16/05/2021 13:57

I am 50. Had my first jab 20th March (I just happened to be visiting an elderly relative as they were getting their 2nd dose and doc asked if I wanted my 1st).

2nd was booked for 2nd June, but I've just rearranged for 27th May. Not much different, but I am going to the West End on the 5th so it's kind of nice knowing I won't have side effects leading up to our Big Night Out.

TheAlphaandtheOmega · 16/05/2021 14:01

I'm leaving mine until the 8th June, that will be 11 weeks which is fine, I'm on holiday anyway next week so wouldn't be worth changing it for when I get back.

WrongKindOfFace · 16/05/2021 14:20

@MeanderingGently

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....
It is a bit risky though. I was able to get an earlier one but most of the slots were over 25 miles away or at a later date.
LittleRen · 16/05/2021 14:22

This is just for over fifties, correct?

Dementedswan · 16/05/2021 14:30

@LittleRen groups 1 to 9

FreakinFrankNFurter · 16/05/2021 14:42

I’m group 6 and my second one is 25 May. I haven’t had a text yet but as it’s only 9 days away I will keep the one I’ve got

SaskiaRembrandt · 16/05/2021 14:45

I ended up phoning because I couldn't find my booking number - I needed that to cancel the existing appointment. Took a while to get through but once I did I was offered multiple time/dates next week, so I booked it for Tuesday. The only downside is that I have to go to a vaccination centre rather than my GP, but at least it will be done.

Choux · 16/05/2021 14:47

I have a 2nd dose booked on 8th June and my 8 week gap is up next Tuesday. Presumably I need to bring my 2nd dose forward to next week and then my 8th June slot can be given to someone who currently has a 2nd dose booked for end of June / July.

But I'm nervous about not finding a slot between Tues and the 8th June. I'm away for a long weekend which rules out a few days and the June 8th slot is at the nearest centre to my house.

If too any people don't move early June slots will it cause a bottleneck for those whose 8 weeks is up early to mid June?

Lucidas · 16/05/2021 14:48

Definitely a bit of a risk. Just moved DH’s appointment. The plus is that it’s now tomorrow instead of in two weeks. But it’s also further away...there was no local availability at all when I checked.

TheAlphaandtheOmega · 16/05/2021 14:52

Not everyone can easily change their slots, they may have booked a particular date because of work, holidays, childcare and actually being able to get to the vaccination centre, mine is 18 miles away.

clary · 16/05/2021 14:53

Yh DH had this today. His was 2 June. He rang up and was told he had to cancel the current apt - was then offered one for Tuesday, just as local as the first so that was good.

The NHS colleague told him 90% of people were able to rebook for sooner (so one in 10 people would have been better off sticking - do you like them odds?!)

User657849 · 16/05/2021 15:08

Just rebooked my husband’s (2nd June) and mine (8thJune) for next week.

The hospital hub where we had the first was only offering us early June again, but tried a local pharmacy and was wide open starting tomorrow.

I’m a bit anxious and am needle phobic so I think a small local place will work better for me.

I’m taking it in a ‘rip the bandage off’ sort of way. The agony of looking at the numbers every week and thinking of cancelling it or not is being more all consuming than having it and pray nothing happens.

Good luck to everyone!

Shellingbynight · 16/05/2021 15:14

I had my first jab at a major hub in early March, and the second one was pre-booked with a gap of exactly 12 weeks.

Then ten days ago (so nothing to do with Friday's press conference) my GP texted me a link to book my second jab at the local GP hub. I ignored it initially because I already had an appointment, but after the third text I gave it a try. There were lots of slots on offer so I booked and had my jab last week, at 10 weeks rather than 12. (I'm 63 and I think it'll mostly be under 60s now who are still at the 8 week mark?)

Because the two booking sites are separate and seemingly don't speak to each other, I could book with the GP hub without cancelling my major hub appointment. I cancelled it afterwards when I knew for sure I didn't need it!

Hopefully some of you may be contacted early by the GP service.

Schulte · 16/05/2021 15:36

@vera99

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.
So the operator can’t tell you if there’s any earlier availability before you cancel your original appointment? I’d like to bring mine forward if possible but I’m Moderna and it’s only given in a few places...
Dementedswan · 16/05/2021 15:49

@Schulte if you are in an eligible group for the 8 week gap NHS will contact you. They have a notice up on the site saying so.

HandlebarLadyTash · 16/05/2021 16:02

First was march 15th was expecting 2nd early June. Got a txt yesterday to make second app have booked for may 25th

PomRuns · 16/05/2021 16:08

DH moved his forward, 2nd dose now at just over 8 weeks.

Belindabelle · 16/05/2021 16:14

Does anybody else feel a bit uneasy that all of a sudden an 8 week gap is fine when we were told that maximum protection was achieved after 12 weeks.

I had a really bad reaction to my first dose of AZ. Properly ill for a week then washed out for a further 2-3 weeks. I fully intend to get my second dose but I don’t think I want it any sooner than 12 weeks after the first.

Twiglets1 · 16/05/2021 16:23

@LittleRen

This is just for over fifties, correct?
Yes for the 50 and overs
99victoria · 16/05/2021 16:27

I'm 60 next week. 2nd jab currently booked for 4th June. Think I am going to leave it as I have lots of birthday celebrations planned for the next 2 weeks - trip to London for Les Mis, a spa day, a night away at a hotel, a party, afternoon tea and several meals out - so i don't think I'd be very flexible in terms of finding a new appointment time :)

vera99 · 16/05/2021 16:29

@Schulte she didn't but I'm very flexible about dates and locations so not sure if they can do it without a cancel and re-book as I didn't press it.

PrescriptionOnlyMedicine · 16/05/2021 16:34

This is from the NHS website

“The Government and the JCVI announced on Friday that second dose appointments will be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks for those aged 50 and over who have yet to received theirs.

Nobody needs to contact the NHS.

Those who have their second dose booked in the next ten days, up to and including 24 May, should attend their appointment as planned.

People who should have their second dose brought forward do not need to contact the NHS. The NHS will let them know when they can rebook.”