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Original poster

Booster dose for visitor to UK

25 replies

mouche202 · 21/10/2021 15:16

I can't find any information about whether or not visitors to the UK are eligible for the booster vaccine (the person in question is 74 and has had 2 doses of AZ in their home country, the second one being 6 months ago). They will be staying the UK for the next 4 months.

The original two doses were available to everyone in the UK including visitors but for the booster, you need an invitation from a GP it seems. Would the best option be for the person register with a GP as a temporary resident and then request the booster? Or is there a faster way?

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 21/10/2021 16:05

If they have proof like we have in uk, with the card and say passport, they could pop in to a walk in centre and see if they offer one as that’s the only way I would have thought, but I wouldn’t raise their hopes.

Ilikewinter · 21/10/2021 16:08

Not sure about that one, i had to confirm my GP details at my appointment.

ColettesEarrings · 21/10/2021 20:45

Err, if they're not resident then no, they shouldn't get one!

herecomesthsun · 21/10/2021 20:52

At the moment, even UK residents are having trouble getting a booster; registering online requires confirmation of NHS number or details as registered with your GP.

Sahgah · 21/10/2021 21:23

I vaccinated two people yesterday who had previous doses abroad. They did not have a nhs number or a gp. Go to a walk in centre and take proof of previous doses like a vaccine passport.

Original poster
mouche202 · 21/10/2021 21:26

Thank you, I will help them register as a temporary resident with a GP then and hopefully that will trigger the process - or at least give them a GP to talk to about it.

@ColettesEarrings I'm not sure why you feel that way. Would you prefer if they did get sick and - given their age - used a hospital bed a UK resident could have had? Visitors to the UK are entitled to NHS treatment same as anyone else except they have to pay for it. If a booster was available privately, they would be getting one tomorrow but unfortunately that is not an option.

OP posts:
Original poster
mouche202 · 21/10/2021 21:28

Thank you @Sahgah! Did you give them boosters or 2nd doses please?

OP posts:
Kendodd · 21/10/2021 21:30

Err, if they're not resident then no, they shouldn't get one!

Why not?
Even if they were leaving tomorrow It's one extra person in the world vaccinated. Why would you object?
As it is this person will be in the UK for four months so if they get covid and get very sick it's a UK hospital bed they be taking up. I kind of get the impression you wouldn't like that either.

gogohm · 21/10/2021 21:31

If they are not residents they are only eligible for emergency care. if you contact your gp they may be able to vaccinate them as a private patient. You need to ge 6 months from last dose too

ColettesEarrings · 21/10/2021 21:35

I'm well aware that visitors are entitled to treatment that they usually subsequently pay for Mouche - I too have also had overseas visitors need treatment whist staying with us. But surely they could access a booster at home more appropriately if their government is pursuing its own programme? We still have CEV children unable to access their second dose, CEV adults unable to access their final primary dose. Also, is the system set up to handle payments for covid boosters?

ColettesEarrings · 21/10/2021 21:37

I would expect hospital in patient treatment to be subsequently paid for yes Kendodd, presumably through their comprehensive travel insurance. I don't believe in denying treatment to visitors Ste all, but if it can be paid for, it should be.

ColettesEarrings · 21/10/2021 21:40

I don't see what's controversial about expecting visitors to pay for treatment received. I'd never travel abroad without extensive insurance and would completely expect to have to pay for all treatment I might need myself abroad. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sahgah · 21/10/2021 21:41

I gave them boosters

Kendodd · 21/10/2021 21:44

Regardless of payment, they would still be taking up a hospital bed that they may not need if they had had a booster vaccination.
Even illegal immigrants had facilities put in place to enable them to get vaccinated, and absolutely rightly so.

RoseAndRose · 21/10/2021 21:48

if you contact your gp they may be able to vaccinate them as a private patient

There are no covid jabs avaioabke on any private medicine suppliers.

Most GPs can't be sacked (because they are not employees) but it would probably count as a breach of their contract, and would be a Big Deal if they were selling an NHS item indeed for free distribution

FinallyHere · 21/10/2021 21:51

If they have proof of the first snd second jabs over 183 days ago, I'd rock up to a walk in centre snd see how far you get.

It's a pandemic.

It's in everyone's interest to have as many people in the world fully vaccinated as possible.

PrpleRain · 21/10/2021 21:58

www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-migrant-health-guide

No charges for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, treatment and vaccination
Overseas visitors to England, including anyone living in the UK without permission, will not be charged for:

testing for COVID-19 (even if the test shows they do not have COVID-19)
treatment for COVID-19, including for a related problem called multisystem inflammatory syndrome that affects some children
vaccination against COVID-19
No immigration checks are needed for overseas visitors if they are only tested, treated or vaccinated for COVID-19.

Kendodd · 21/10/2021 22:02

It's a pandemic.

It's in everyone's interest to have as many people in the world fully vaccinated as possible.

Exactly!
Astonishing anyone would think differently.

Original poster
mouche202 · 29/10/2021 14:25

Just wanted to update in case it helps anyone else. Based on some of the responses in this thread, we took our relative to a walk in centre, where the booster was given without any issues. They just needed to see proof of the previous two doses. I guess the white hair was proof enough of age!

We have also registered with a local GP as a temporary resident so covered on all fronts. Thank you all for the good advice.

OP posts:
ColinTheKoala · 29/10/2021 15:28

I'm glad they got the vaccine without a problem. Some very mean minded views on here, the vaccine only costs about £13 (and much less if it's AZ).

if people are having problems accessing their boosters they just need to find a walk in centre. We've got them here and anyone who received their second dose more than six months ago can get their booster. Look on this website for your nearest site offering the vaccine you need: www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site

LemonTT · 29/10/2021 15:56

@ColettesEarrings

Err, if they're not resident then no, they shouldn't get one!
COVID vaccines are offered to people from overseas. Always have been.
LemonTT · 29/10/2021 15:58

@gogohm

If they are not residents they are only eligible for emergency care. if you contact your gp they may be able to vaccinate them as a private patient. You need to ge 6 months from last dose too
This is not correct. The UK has always offered vaccines to people from overseas and doesn’t require proof of identity never mind residency.
Cookerhood · 29/10/2021 16:31

Yes, I've done this, they can be registered as "GP unknown"

StarCat2020 · 02/11/2021 00:24

I guess the white hair was proof enough of age!
This made me laugh

Glad you got it sorted

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