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Original poster

Attending vaccine centre with tiny baby

29 replies

Theweedonkeeey · 28/05/2021 09:31

I have a newborn and had a c section so a)I don’t want to be leaving her for longer than 10 mins or so in case she needs breastfed and b) it’s quite uncomfortable for me to stand for long periods of time especially if I have to be standing up feeding a baby.

I realise all vaccine centres are different but I’d like to hear about people’s experiences- will I be able to take the baby/pram in with me? How long did the appointment itself take? Did you have to queue for long?

I deliberately booked a vaccine centre in the hope I wouldn’t have to queue as there is always a massive queue down the street when the vaccines are being done at my local GP. I am under 40 so I guess I’ll be given Pfizer

OP posts:
FoggyDay58 · 28/05/2021 09:37

Had mine done two days ago and took DS (2 weeks) in the sling. I seemed to be treated with extra care and interest because of him (eg the lady who led me to my vaccinator asked me his name and how old he was, just because she loves babies). The whole thing was very socially distanced (eg seating area, one way system), never needed to stand up for any period of time and everyone very considerate of me.

FoggyDay58 · 28/05/2021 09:38

To answer your questions though, the whole thing took probably 20 minutes (including 15 minutes sitting afterwards). I could've taken the pram in no problem. Queueing was a matter of seconds and very efficient.

Bananapancakeswithblueberry · 28/05/2021 09:39

My experience was similar to poster above. There was seating in vaccine centre and I took a 6 month old baby in car seat, although I was expecting to put her in the carrier which she normally prefers. I took her out during the 15 minute wait afterwards (seated) as she was getting bored

There was another younger baby there also in car seat

Whoateallthechocolate · 28/05/2021 09:41

I was in & out in 5 minutes. The only problem with taking a pram would have been manoeuvring it through the pharmacy to the back room where the jab was. And when I say "back room" it was more a large store cupboard so I'm not sure I could have got a pram in there but the door was open and that bit too less than a minute so I would have been happy to leave the pram about 3ft away from me for that - even if it co-incided with the baby screaming.

EssentialHummus · 28/05/2021 09:41

Mine was a week ago at a large London hospital, queued for 30 minutes or so (standing) and then a bit of sitting. I expect if you tell a steward (and there were many) you’re post-surgery they’ll let you jump the queue.

PlantDoctor · 28/05/2021 12:42

When MIL had her vaccine they offered her and another elderly lady a chair to sit in while waiting in the queue. I'm sure they will look after you. Congratulations on your baby Flowers

peboh · 28/05/2021 12:43

I took dd, aged 2 in her pushchair with me. She'll be going with me again Monday for my second dose. No issues.

KFleming · 28/05/2021 12:45

I’ve just come back from mine at my GP surgery and there were about 4 women with babies in prams.

DinosaurDiana · 28/05/2021 12:45

Explain the situation to the first person you meet there, they might be able to bump you to the front. They would where I work.

Dollywilde · 28/05/2021 12:46

I’ve booked mine centrally through the website and I just filtered the options to ‘wheelchair accessible’ as that way I know I can get the pram in Smile

Florin · 28/05/2021 12:51

We had ours yesterday turned up an hour early but we were ushered straight through then had to sit in a marquee for 10 minutes afterwards all super easy and efficient. Our next one is in the school holidays and my husband and I are booked for the same time and I checked and they said no problem taking our 9 year old with us so can’t imagine it’s a problem with such a tiny baby.

TuvoknotSpock · 28/05/2021 13:31

I saw someone being sent to the front of a (very long) queue the other day. Big London hospital centre.

elastamum · 28/05/2021 13:36

We volunteer at a very large vaccination centre and if you asked a Marshall we would escort you through so you don't have to wait. Congrats on your new baby.

elastamum · 28/05/2021 13:37

Lots of people bring babies and small children. It is absolutely fine.

BoomChicka · 28/05/2021 13:46

Definitely tell them you've had a section, don't try and be British and queue in pain!!

Original poster
Theweedonkeeey · 28/05/2021 15:23

Thank you everyone. I’ve got it booked in for 3 weeks post section so hopefully I’ll be in less pain by then but still good to know there are likely to be options for me to sit or jump the queue if I really need it. I’ll plan to take DD in a sling so no access issues.

OP posts:
DreamingNow · 28/05/2021 15:28

Very quick @Theweedonkeeey. An in and out thing
Everything is wheelchair accessible so no issue with a pram.

The timings were a guide so you will be able to stop for a feed if need be.

I’ve had both jabs and both times every one was helpful, smiling and lovely.

PandemicPalava · 28/05/2021 15:29

I didn't take a baby but I did see people in there with babies in their arms and with prams. The whole thing took about 15 minutes for me but I did go on a drop-in day so there was a small queue outside

tappitytaptap · 28/05/2021 15:33

I had to queue a bit the other day (large vaccination centre) but very accessible and there was a team of people checking people in so I imagine you’d be able to explain about the c section there (I think by 3 weeks I could have probably stood for a little while but not too long!) Hopefully you are healing well and congratulations on the new baby

girlfrombackthen · 28/05/2021 15:39

Hi OP, I attended a mass vaccination centre with my newborn in her pram. Lots of staff including the vaccinator were midwives and couldn't have been more welcoming... Checking in/queuing took 10 mins. As I had Pfizer I had to sit in a waiting area for 15 mins after and actually used this time to breastfeed (midwives were thrilled!)

HJ40 · 28/05/2021 15:39

Took my eight month old in the pram to the Heathrow centre. I'd deliberately chosen an accessible venue. There was a bit of a wait - perhaps 15 minutes and then 10 minutes but everyone was so kind and helpful I'm sure if there had been a problem they would have found some way to help.

BlackInk · 28/05/2021 16:30

Whilst I'm sure it's absolutely fine to take a baby along, I'm not sure you really need to? You're unlikely to be in the building more than about 15 minutes. Is there really no one who could take baby for a walk or sit in the car with them? Even if they get hungry a short wait wouldn't do any harm. I just wouldn't be taking a newborn into a crowded indoor space at the moment unless I really needed to, even though the risk from Covid to babies is tiny, it's totally avoidable so why risk it?

oneglassandpuzzled · 28/05/2021 16:34

We have no problems with babies coming with their mothers. When it's the Pfizer jab and our marquee (GP centre) is a bit more crowded with people waiting inside for their 15 minutes, it would be easier if you came with a smaller rather than huge pram, though.

Babies cheer everyone up. On one occasion I did actually mind one in a pram outside the marquee while the parents went inside. I have also looked after quite a few dogs as I stand with the board outside checking people in.

Toottootdrivers · 29/05/2021 09:05

I took my toddler in a pushchair when I had mine. It was fine. He sat charming the socks off everyone while I had my vaccine

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 29/05/2021 09:12

I had mine yesterday at a pharmacy. There were people with prams. There were chairs for everyone both while waiting and for the observation period afterwards.

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