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Original poster

Booster vaccines to be offered to under 50s

128 replies

72WayTooCool · 15/11/2021 07:45

Being reported today. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/booster-jab-covid-age-booking-b1957592.html

As a 49.5 year old, I'm feeling relieved.

OP posts:
Nutella22 · 15/11/2021 10:14

@hellsbells99

They should just say everyone can get a booster 6 months after their second one. So anyone who had it early due to work or health reasons can still get it 6 months after their last. Instead the government have changed the health criteria (and people may have changed jobs) so some people are going to end up with a massive gap between their 2 nd jab and their booster
Totally agree! I appreciate that there's less evidence of waning immunity in the under 40s but that's because most of us are less than 6 months from the second dose. They should look at Israel's experience of rolling out boosters to everyone- case numbers (and therefore hospitalisations and deaths) have really reduced over the last few weeks.

It should just be really simple- anyone can book a booster as long as it's 6 months after the second dose, instead of this drip feeding of eligibility criteria.

x2boys · 15/11/2021 10:15

@bumblenbean

Definitely a move in the right direction but I’m 39 and my six months was up a week ago (previously in shielded group then removed from it), so have to say I’m a bit miffed. Why can’t they just extend to all adults past 6 months ffs
Are you classed as CEV ,my DH is he had his Booster last week he's 46 ,I also had mine as I'm a carer I'm 48 .
Cookerhood · 15/11/2021 10:16

I hardly think the website would be updated as van Tam speaks.give them a chance Grin

Magilix · 15/11/2021 10:25

@Cookerhood

I hardly think the website would be updated as van Tam speaks.give them a chance Grin
I tried to book because each age group was able to book their initial vaccines before the official announcement or the wording on the website had been changed.
SpringRainbow · 15/11/2021 10:29

@CactusFlowers I do think it will eventually be offered to those who usually get the flu jab offered to them.

When this will kick in will be harder to predict.

Porridgeislife · 15/11/2021 10:30

Meanwhile pregnant women are left out of the discussions again Hmm They’ve spent ages banging on that COVID in late pregnancy can be extremely dangerous, but pregnant women aren’t eligible for boosters.

MarshaBradyo · 15/11/2021 10:33

Ok that’s good

I think I just heard age 16 and 17 can have second dose too, which applies here

middleager · 15/11/2021 10:36

I'm 48 and had my last jab in June. Caught Covid off my son in September.
I will get the booster, but feel in no rush.

Mindymomo · 15/11/2021 10:38

I’ve only just been able to book mine last week, I am 60 and 6 months is up this Saturday. Presume over 50’s will be able to book in next couple of weeks, then over 40’s in December.

CactusFlowers · 15/11/2021 10:39

@Cookerhood

I hardly think the website would be updated as van Tam speaks.give them a chance Grin
Just imagine if they had proper joined up thinking and the website go live was planned to be at the same time at the briefing. Instead we have the website not being able to cope with the traffic and nobody knowing when they’ll actually be able to book.
middleager · 15/11/2021 10:41

@Mindymomo

I’ve only just been able to book mine last week, I am 60 and 6 months is up this Saturday. Presume over 50’s will be able to book in next couple of weeks, then over 40’s in December.
My brother is 52, no vulnerabilities and is booked for next week. He had his last vaccination at the end of May/June when the system allowed you to rebook and move slots forward.
chocorangeaddict77 · 15/11/2021 10:44

Just wish at this point they would let anyone who wants a vaccine to have one. 15 year old desparate to be fully jabbed, soon to be 12 year old is as well. Pretty obvious that if you've decided for whatever reason not to have one by now then you aren't going to change your mind so instead of flogging this route why not let those who want to be fully vaccinated or have a booster do so?

JassyRadlett · 15/11/2021 10:53

Just imagine if they had proper joined up thinking and the website go live was planned to be at the same time at the briefing. Instead we have the website not being able to cope with the traffic and nobody knowing when they’ll actually be able to book.

To be fair it’s been rocky as hell for weeks - they only managed to fix the bug that prevented group 6 under 50s from booking last week.

(And that’s without the fact that they reduced eligibility for group 6 but there was no way of checking whether you were eligible or not, so had to keep checking the booking system despite the under 50s glitch…)

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/11/2021 10:57

Do you book as normal through the NHS website? It still only says over 50s can book at 5 months.

Not that I'm in any hurry as I don't really want a booster but feel I have to have one!

GlomOfNit · 15/11/2021 11:26

I rang my local GP surgery for an unconnected matter this morning and whilst I still had the receptionist on the phone, asked about if I'd be getting a text from them soon (I'm an unpaid carer, 48, and I had my vaccinations a bit earlier than my age group because of that. My 6 months was up yesterday!). The receptionist tried to get me to call 119 (National Covid hotline, chocolate-teapotlike in efficiency Hmm ) and said the surgery didn't do them. But I know they do, at a local cottage hospital. She said that as a carer, I wasn't eligible and nothing was showing up on my file that said I got a third dose. Hmm Yet a friend in another county, same age and circs, has managed to book hers for the same reason.

Then I heard this morning's news and wondered why she hadn't mentioned that I would be eligible because of my age (as well!) ... I'd far rather book in with my GP surgery's clinic at the local cottage hospital but it looks like the best way I'm going to get one is at the local stadium vaccination centre.

theemperorhasnoclothes · 15/11/2021 11:40

This is great news. I can't wait.

It'll be December for me but I'm hoping they'll reduce it to 5 months for everyone who wants it eventually (as they have already for some groups) so I can get it earlier. Given I know a number of very ill 40 somethings who've caught covid off their kids in school, to say I'm keen to get my booster is an understatement.

I'm not that keen to have weeks and weeks of being unable to do the most basic self-care tasks. A couple of days of post vaccine symptoms sounds a lot more appealing.

SecretKeeper1 · 15/11/2021 11:51

@theemperorhasnoclothes I thought it was still 6 months / 182 days, but you can book your appointment after 5 months, not get the actual jab?

PatientPatty · 15/11/2021 11:53

I had better ask in scotsnet but am in Scotland just over 6 months since second. Anyone got any news for up here?

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/11/2021 11:54

Excellent news. We’ve both had our boosters but with adult children at university and out working and a grandchild going to groups, the children being able to get one too will be reassuring.

Franklin12 · 15/11/2021 11:59

I am over 50 and have booked my booster for next week. Some of the sites were nearly 25 miles away but venues do keep coming and going. I have booked for one that is 12 miles away which is fine!

I agree with others. Why not say anyone can book a booster providing its over 6 months. You might have to wait a while for an appointment but you will be in the system. Its not as though with a booked appointment you have to wait hours (unlike my DS who waited 90 mins at a drop in centre. ). Maybe though it would flood the system but realistically once its done its done. Its not as though anyone would want to get one once a month

winterisaroundthecorner · 15/11/2021 12:04

It's a good news, but hopefully it extends to other age groups soon, and also 2nd shots for 12+ who wants them.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/11/2021 12:06

Its not as though with a booked appointment you have to wait hours (unlike my DS who waited 90 mins at a drop in centre. )

This is what worries me. If I have to wait I know I won't go. I'm also worried as DH had his booster last week and the nearest place had no facilities to have the jab lying down. I just about coped with the original jabs as I had an appointment close to home and I could lie down. I don't understand why they couldn't use the same places as before.

benelephant · 15/11/2021 12:10

@hellsbells99

They should just say everyone can get a booster 6 months after their second one. So anyone who had it early due to work or health reasons can still get it 6 months after their last. Instead the government have changed the health criteria (and people may have changed jobs) so some people are going to end up with a massive gap between their 2 nd jab and their booster
Yes, me. I was eligible in feb as I'm a carer to my son. My booster is due now but I'm not eligible yet and no sign of when I will be. I don't have any underlying conditions so I understand other people are at much greater risk than me, but still.
Nerdygirl · 15/11/2021 12:20

So jabs every 6 months for something the majority of us will be absolutely fine without! And that doesn’t stop us getting covid and transmitting! Yet natural immunity ignored as well which is crazy when so many double jabbed people have had covid. Where does this stop ?

SecretKeeper1 · 15/11/2021 12:37

@Nerdygirl

So jabs every 6 months for something the majority of us will be absolutely fine without! And that doesn’t stop us getting covid and transmitting! Yet natural immunity ignored as well which is crazy when so many double jabbed people have had covid. Where does this stop ?
You know it’s not compulsory, right?

There are loads of cases in my area so I’ll gratefully have my booster as soon as I can. I’d rather not risk being ill over Christmas, thanks. And we definitely don’t want a repeat of Jan 2021 numbers.

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