Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Walk-in vaccinations - how to find one in five seconds

45 replies

saraclara · 05/08/2021 23:10

Because I keep hearing people say that they can't book any local appointments on the website...

Nearly all vaccine hubs are now doing walkups. You/your young adult kids don't need to book. Just put your postcode into this govt website, and it will tell you where you can get jabbed straight away, without an appointment. Even if the same hub doesn't appear to have any appointments on the main booking site. If you/they have an NHS number to hand, they'll appreciate it when you get to the hub, but if you don't, they'll still be able to find you on their systems (I'm a volunteer and when I'm on reception I book walk-ins as well as appointments, with or without the NHS no)

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/

OP posts:

MRex · 06/08/2021 08:36

Ours have been advertised on Facebook, in the local paper, leaflet through the door, lots of people mention them in neighbourhood groups, signs outside the centres etc. At least in my area, I think it would be hard for people not to know they're there.

MRex · 06/08/2021 08:38

@nether

I think - from bitter experience - that they're going to need to tackle some red tape before they can open to 16/17yos

Many centres will not do u18s at present, but despite putting dob into online booking link (for a medically entitled teen) the bookings we were offered were at centres which did not do u18s at all, and who said they were turning away lots of (correctly entitled) teens from their appointments.

If they do not sort this out, so that 16/17s can book only at places which do that age group, then there's going to be the most awful muddle and the number of wasted appointments will rocket (annoyingly, they record you as DNA even when you are there and pleading for the appointment to be carried out and it it them saying 'no' and knowing it's happening frequently - misreporting is hardly going to highlight that there's an issue that needs fixing)

Can you report those centres by complaining to your local CCG? It's the CCG who are responsible for updating advice.

nether · 06/08/2021 08:49

How does one do that?

And as the appointment we were bounced from was in a neighbouring council area (and presumably different CCG) which one to write to?

There were no appointments listed at all in my council area, which is why we had to travel to next nearest,. I'd assumed that was because u18 appointments were not available everywhere, so we had the choice only of centres that definitely did them. I was wrong - we were bounced there.

I'm cross with GP too about this - incorrect advice given, talking over me when I was explaining that 119 don't do u18s - and most irritatingly of all - lo a man speaks and DH gets correct advice in one phone call (practice emails a local centre and makes bespoke arrangement) when my phone call, email and 3 further phone calls had resulted in wrong advice only

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 06/08/2021 08:51

I found the local walk in clinics on Facebook by searching NHS 'town'.

MRex · 06/08/2021 08:55

@nether - you should find them there: www.england.nhs.uk/ccg-directory/. I'd complain to both, it'll take 5 min to write each email and might achieve some good.

Original poster

saraclara · 06/08/2021 08:55

@MRex

That's good to hear. I would have expected a more national public service ad campaign, but maybe it's down to regional services.

The hub nearest to me is being as active as it can be on our local Facebook page, but the members of that tend to middle aged at least. I would have expected to see govt ads pop up on my feed, really.

OP posts:

BigWoollyJumpers · 06/08/2021 08:56

I think you underestimate teen social media use. DD tells me all the local teens are sharing tips on where you can get your vaccine done on a 3 week gap basis. They are travelling around and finding places who are effectively breaking rules and posting them on social media. They all want to be double dosed for holidays or clubs.

Fferny1 · 06/08/2021 09:04

DD- 17 just, went to 3 different walk-ins in London last week. The first ran out of vaccine ( she heard via reddit). The second wouldn't do it, but did her friends second, with success at the third ( leftover vaccines heard via tiktok).
In contrast where we live, in a fairly rural county they won't jab you if you're under 18.

ifonly4 · 06/08/2021 09:10

Seems to be a mixture here, most 18+ had a GP referral, but I know a couple who got themselves in the queue the night before, so they could hit the booking button in early hours. Since then, walks ins are around and easy to search for in county.

DD has a reason for getting her second vaccine early at five weeks. GP gave her an email for walk in within a mile (in case they weren't happy about the timing), also a link for booking.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 06/08/2021 09:16

The info on that link isn’t accurate. I know after taking myself off to a walk in after missing my second appointment due to self isolation - when I got there, there was a huge sign outside saying appointments ONLY NO walk in. Very frustrating. I rebooked and went to my second appointment but I can see this kind of thing putting the waverers off or some people who aren’t overly fussed not bothering to book a second dose

MRex · 06/08/2021 18:43

This article suggests England walk-ins for 16-17yo opens next week: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58112765. Whether they will do end of day jabs over the weekend is unclear.

clickychicky · 06/08/2021 20:51

Omg there's one down the road! Can I go there for my 2nd one? It only let me book it miles away when I booked it.

Original poster

saraclara · 06/08/2021 21:09

@clickychicky

Omg there's one down the road! Can I go there for my 2nd one? It only let me book it miles away when I booked it.

Yep. I had a booked appointment at a hub 15 miles away. On a day when I knew that the hub down the road was DEFINITELY doing walk-ins, I cancelled the appointment and went there instead.

But do check. You could even turn up at the one down the road, check that they're doing them and you qualify (some people turned up a few days earlier than is allowed, and we couldn't jab them), and then cancel your appointment using your phone.

OP posts:

JanFebAnyMonth · 06/08/2021 21:47

NB only for 18+ years old, at least in our area.

Although I think I’ve read today that 16-17 year olds can now turn up at walk in sites?

Cookerhood · 06/08/2021 21:50

The one I volunteer at is open 2-8pm Monday- Friday. That website says 8am-8pm 7 days a week (it changed over a month ago).

QueenOfThorns · 06/08/2021 21:54

@Gobbolinothewitchscat

Mine had a similar sign on the way in, but I’d made the effort to get there, so I went in and asked and they WERE doing walk-ins

Siepie · 06/08/2021 22:41

I’m also surprised the link isn’t being advertised more widely.

In my city there are lots of adverts up which say things like “every vaccination gives us hope” but none of them have any info on how to get one. I had thought maybe they should put a QR code on the billboard to take you to the booking site.

Marguerite2000 · 06/08/2021 22:58

There's a subreddit called r/getjabbed which is quite helpful.

XenoBitch · 07/08/2021 01:22

My local "walk" in is miles away. No thanks

clickychicky · 07/08/2021 05:46

@saraclara thank you so much! Who knows you could have just saved my life!

Flip

1 2