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Original poster

Has anyone managed to get a booster at a walk-in centre this week since the guidelines changed?

85 replies

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 02/12/2021 16:48

Just that really.

I am going to a walk in centre tomorrow and I really hope that they are able to give me my booster. I am 40 and 5.5 months since my second vaccine. I have a booster appointment booked for 2 weeks time which is the first date that was available on the system at exactly 6 months, but it's the morning of the day I'm supposed to be flying (assuming the flight goes ahead that is!) so I really really want it tomorrow.

However I've read that even though the JCVI have changed the guidelines to 3 months, vaccination clinics are still supposed to only give boosters from 6 months. Has anyone else managed it this week?

OP posts:
TawnyPippit · 02/12/2021 18:05

Agreed - it’s about the protocols. At the vaccine centre I volunteer at they are very adherent to the national protocols and are checked on them.

My volunteering shift on Tuesday had me outside turning away people who were not eligible for vaccines. It was a very thankless task and some people were quite rude/aggressive. Fun times. 🙄. It wasn’t just us saying “computer says no”, we simply weren’t able to vaccinate those not eligible. (In case anyone is concerned we were sitting there with empty rooms and idle vaccinators, we weren’t - we vaccinated pretty much at full capacity).

If you get turned away, please don’t take it out on the volunteers…

DystopianTimes · 02/12/2021 18:14

I had mine done on Tuesday. My date should have been 4th December but they did it. My brother also got his done on Tuesday, his last one was in July, so def less than 6 months.

lanbro · 02/12/2021 18:15

I got a text last night inviting me to book, last vaccine 7th July so not 6 months yet. Went on the link and got a slot for today, so is it worth seeing if you can bring your booking forward?

Original poster
BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 02/12/2021 18:17

@lanbro

I got a text last night inviting me to book, last vaccine 7th July so not 6 months yet. Went on the link and got a slot for today, so is it worth seeing if you can bring your booking forward?
I have tried but it wouldn't let me.

I am reconsidering my trip tomorrow, but if I did go and did get turned away I definitely wouldn't take it out on the staff - it's not their fault!

OP posts:
Katshouldnotswim · 02/12/2021 18:43

I don’t think you will get it unfortunately.

I went to a walk in yesterday and a lady was turned away. The volunteer said they were only vaccinating those who had had their 2nd injection on 3 June or before.

IndigoC · 02/12/2021 19:04

Over on Reddit getjabbed the Park Royal Medical Practice in London are advertising they’ll boost anybody over 18 from Saturday who had their second vaccine 3 months+ ago.

www.reddit.com/r/GetJabbed/

RoRoYoYo · 02/12/2021 19:35

I got my booster at a walk in today eight days early. I rang them before I went to check they would vaccinate me and they said they were happy to vaccinate people within two weeks of their six month date. When I got there was no discussion about dates.

Kittypillar · 02/12/2021 19:39

@TawnyPippit oh gosh, how horrid for you Sad absolutely no way I'd take it out on any volunteers!

oviraptor21 · 02/12/2021 19:41

Yes. In two different locations pre-booked in one queue pretty much get seen immediately.
Walk-ins a big huddle. Seem to have to stand around a bit but they do get seen.

Kittypillar · 02/12/2021 19:46

@IndigoC that's great! Really hope that they run something similar nearer me every soon - almost wish I was still living in London now!

NeedingCoffee · 02/12/2021 20:01

Walked in yesterday and was vaccinated no problem at all - second jab was 19 June so not at 6 months.

NeedingCoffee · 02/12/2021 20:03

Oh and it was incredibly efficient and well organised - there was a queue of about 10 people outside as we arrived and we were through 3 stages of checking and info-gathering, jabbed and in the 15 min holding pen within 20 mins of arrival.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 02/12/2021 20:49

That's what I'm worried about. It seems ridiculous to turn willing people away when the official guidance has now been changed!

Official Guidance hasn't been changed yet though! The government announced the PLAN to change the guidance, NHS website clearly states these changes have yet to come into effect. Theres things that need putting into place logistically before it can go ahead, like getting the vaccine supplies to the sites, securing the extra venue dates and staffing to be able to facilitate the extra demand that will be required.

Cookerhood · 02/12/2021 20:53

We were told we could do anyone who had their second vaccine before 2nd September today where I vaccinate, so it very much depends on the clinical lead at the site.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 02/12/2021 20:54

An independent pharmacy near me has changed to 3 months, but appreciate that doesn’t help anyone.

buckleten · 02/12/2021 21:39

Got mine at a walk in major vaccination hub yesterday, I'm late 40's and 5 months past 2nd vax (late June).

TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder · 02/12/2021 21:45

Hmmm, but they changed the guidelines a while back to five months after the second vaccine. I went to my walk in centre three weeks ago on 11 Nov (five months after second vaccine) and they gave me my booster happily. I was technically one day early (I miscalculated) but they said it was fine.

Magpie1976 · 02/12/2021 21:45

Got mine today at a walk in a month early

Wellbythebloodyhell · 02/12/2021 22:26

@TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder

Hmmm, but they changed the guidelines a while back to five months after the second vaccine. I went to my walk in centre three weeks ago on 11 Nov (five months after second vaccine) and they gave me my booster happily. I was technically one day early (I miscalculated) but they said it was fine.
No they didn't. They opened up the bookings from 5 months but it was clear on the NHS booking website that the appointment you'd be given would be at 182 /6 months after 2nd dose, I think you were just lucky to get it earlier
Wellbythebloodyhell · 02/12/2021 22:27

*182 days

TuftyMarmoset · 02/12/2021 22:29

I was at one yesterday because I happened to be getting my flu jab at the same place and they were still only doing over 40s, more than 6mo since 2nd jab but said they would change soon once some paperwork came through.

TuftyMarmoset · 02/12/2021 22:30

This was at a Boots, maybe I should say.

Freshprincess · 02/12/2021 22:35

The walk in places here are all saying no way on FB and websites. I know one of them were happy to vaccinate out of age group order with the main rollout, so might try my luck club tomorrow.

I’m 50 and 3 weeks away from mine.

Ringonrighthand · 02/12/2021 22:40

I had mine on Tuesday and they were doing anyone over 3 months!

Artesia · 02/12/2021 22:43

I got mine at a walk in today. Was 5 months to the day since my second jab. They were doing anyone who was over 40 and at least 5 months post second vaccine.