Bringing second vax forward. How?

[Fordian]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I gather the government are suggesting young people should bring their second jab forward, from 12 weeks to eight weeks.

How? When DS booked he could only select a 12 weeks hence appointment for his second jab.

If he logs on now, will that have changed?

FTR there's all but no 'drop in' available anywhere near here (Southampton).

He's nervous that if he cancels his second booking the next available might be even later than 12 weeks.

Ring 119

Unfortunately yes you do have to cancel your second appointment before being able to choose a new slot. That's what I did a few months back for my second. Although I did receive a text asking me to rebook.

Yes 119 a good idea!

When I did this, you could check to see if there were earlier dates available before you cancel your appointment. It will only show availability for the same vaccination centre though.

Use this site:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Before he cancels the appointment it will show him other availability.

@HavfrueDenizKisi

Unfortunately yes you do have to cancel your second appointment before being able to choose a new slot. That's what I did a few months back for my second. Although I did receive a text asking me to rebook.

DD 18, received an email yesterday asking if she would like to bring forward her second jab. We haven’t done it yet as were too busy yesterday but it says that when you log in you can see which dates are available to book before you cancel your existing appointment - maybe they realised that making people cancel first was stopping them going ahead…..she’s at work at the ok or else I’d get her to do it for you now OP as an experiment . I’m sure they’ll be someone else come along in a minute who has done it recently

Took me so long to type PurpleDaisies got there before me

It does appear that you can only use the same centre though, doesn't it?

DS's isn't very convenient as it was all we could find in his uni town, anyway.

@HavfrueDenizKisi

Unfortunately yes you do have to cancel your second appointment before being able to choose a new slot. That's what I did a few months back for my second. Although I did receive a text asking me to rebook.

They changed that a few weeks ago. So you can check available appointments before you cancel an existing one.

Check if there are any walk-in clinics available nearby. DH was due his second on 30th July but our local vaccination centre have been offering walk-ins for anyone over 8wks post first jab, so he went last Sunday, got the second jab & the booked one was cancelled automatically.

@Fordian

It does appear that you can only use the same centre though, doesn't it?

DS's isn't very convenient as it was all we could find in his uni town, anyway.

No, it only shows you appointments in advance of cancelling for the centre you booked your first jab at. Once you’ve cancelled you can select another centre. That’s what I did. It is a small gamble but remember they’re desperate to get young people vaccinated so there’s most likely more appointments than people to fill them at the moment.

He can change it online by clicking manage my booking and he can check availability before cancelling his current appointment. At least that’s what dd says, she’s brought hers forward from the end of August to the 4th at 8 weeks exactly.

Ds had a text yesterday to say he could now book a second vaccination without cancelling an existing booking He has done so, and changed the venue to a more convenient one.

Vaccination availability is very high. He could go to any walk-in centre at 8 weeks or rebook; after cancelling he can book a different place and he will find one. To find walk-in sites search your local CCG page.

Sorry that should have been before cancelling the previously booked one. I think the previous booking was automatically cancelled by the new booking

I had one booked at 12 weeks but got text from GP saying cases were high in area and I could book sooner. Booked one for next day.

Keep checking - the site kept telling me there was no availability near me until yesterday, and I was able to book at a different site.

I happened to check early yesterday morning. I'm not sure if that made a difference but might be worth a shot!

Just log in and cancel and change it. When I changed mine (v recently had my 2nd at 8 weeks) there was SO much availability.
DH just had his second and asked the staff (major vaccination site) and they said they have loads of availability and are desperate for people to come in.

@Fordian

It does appear that you can only use the same centre though, doesn't it?

DS's isn't very convenient as it was all we could find in his uni town, anyway.

No? DH used two different sites and I was going to use 2 different sites originally when it was 12 weeks but in the end used the same at 8 weeks.

Problem might be if you’ve had Moderna as there are less sites overall but you still don’t have to use the same one, you just have less choice.

It has changed now you can see what’s available before you cancel your existing booking.

Thank you everyone.

I may yet be back for more advice.

Surely the solution is that you go on; you see everything available; you choose (earlier date, different site) and once you hit 'book'; your original 12 weeker appointment gets cancelled.

How hard can that be?

There are so many slots that it shouldn't make a difference @Gordian. Have him switch it late at night if he's worried aboyt having his original spot taken.

My son went to a walk in centre and was given his second jab much earlier than 8 weeks, no questions asked. Seems as if everyone is doing that.

Is there no walk in clinics, vaccination buses etc near you?

Have you looked on your local facebook groups?