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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:
IncessantNameChanger · 02/12/2021 22:45

Before omni you could walk in here, but now it's not so easy. I'm 7 months post vax now and not sure it's worth the hassle

TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder · 02/12/2021 23:21

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
Ah, yes, you’re probably right. Which also echos PPs that it depends where you go. Great for me, not great for everyone else trying to plan.

hennybeans · 03/12/2021 08:40

I went to a walk in centre for mine yesterday. They were doing anyone over 40 with at least 3 months since last jab, in Doncaster.

Original poster
BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 03/12/2021 09:34

I tried but was turned away! Hopefully will have more luck with moving my appointment next week. It seems ridiculous that apparently on Monday it will be OK but not today, but obviously I was perfect polite to the staff! If the govt wants to put the booster vaccination programme "on steroids" this isn't the way to go about it!

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 03/12/2021 11:03

@IncessantNameChanger

Before omni you could walk in here, but now it's not so easy. I'm 7 months post vax now and not sure it's worth the hassle
What difference had omicrom (not omnicrom) made to walk ins? They will increase because of this, not decrease. It does seem a bit hit and miss at the moment. Personally I would bother, given the rocket the booster gives to your immune system. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59489988
Userevermore · 03/12/2021 20:16

Daily Mail reporting that website will not be updated until the 13th now

Popetthetreehugger · 03/12/2021 20:34

Just as a by the way … go early as when I went to a pop up drop in yesterday, they were finishing an hour early as they ran out 🤷‍♀️

tumpymummy · 03/12/2021 22:50

@popetthetreehugger good thinking, thankyou. I was booked in for booster vaccination on weds. I am over 50 and booked appointment weeks ago. It woukdnt let me book for Nov, but 1st dec was ok so i assumed the website had calculated my first possible date. I was 180 days so they wouldn't do it. They suggested i go back Saturday. Its a walk in too so i thought i would go at the end of the day when its quieter. Not going to do that now, thankyou! I'll go early instead.

Schulte · 04/12/2021 10:11

Just called one of my local walk in sites. I’m over 40 and exactly 5.5 months past my second jab. I was told they wouldn’t jab me, not until the new guidelines have come through. It’s so infuriating.

FindingMeno · 04/12/2021 10:14

I think its important to make sure the vaccination centres aren't swamped before all the over-50's get an opportunity for their boosters, having waited 6 months and with waning immunity.

Schulte · 04/12/2021 10:35

Round here the over 50s have all had their boosters as they became eligible four weeks or more ago. What’s happening now is that the NHS is creating a backlog of over 40s who are eligible under the new guidelines, yet can’t access their jab.

EffOrfagain · 04/12/2021 10:54

DH is 60 and had his yesterday, I'm 63 and am booked in next week after exactly 6 months so we haven't all had them

JRsandCoffee · 04/12/2021 11:02

I just failed this morning. I’m five months post jab 2 and being keen to stay healthy for work (which takes me into contact with lots of people with health challenges) had paid to get my flu jab back in October. Apparently they would have been able to give me the booster if I had not had the flu jab as I was past the five month point. At this stage they aren’t legally allowed to give it any earlier but they are expecting the nod at any second, I’m in England.

OvaHere · 04/12/2021 11:30

I got mine at a walk in this morning. They were a bit iffy because my 182 days isn't up until 22nd Dec but I have a text I received on Monday from my Dr's surgery telling me to get a booster so that seemed to swing it.

BunsyGirl · 04/12/2021 11:36

Earlier this week my surgery was doing walk ins for anyone aged 18 or over who had their second dose more than three months ago.

Cookerhood · 04/12/2021 11:49

Apparently they would have been able to give me the booster if I had not had the flu jab as I was past the five month point.
That's nonsense. The system does flag up if you've had a flu jab within 7 days, but it's fine. Flu & Covid jabs are given on the same day in different arms.

Livpool · 04/12/2021 12:02

@FindingMeno

I think its important to make sure the vaccination centres aren't swamped before all the over-50's get an opportunity for their boosters, having waited 6 months and with waning immunity.
I do agree with this - although it is the government's fault for the way it has been handled.

I am CEV and have had my booster booked for next weekend for a while now

Userevermore · 04/12/2021 12:10

It really should have been made clearer at the press conference and in news reports that it wouldn't be for a couple of weeks, a lot of people would have wasted time queuing and then being turned away. Even now it's buried that it probably won't be until the 13th

passionfruitpizza · 04/12/2021 12:19

Was a hospital walk in for health and social care workers so not exactly the same but I went in and asked and got mine early last week.

FelicityBeedle · 04/12/2021 12:20

My local centre is following JCVI guidance, not the other one. I’m queuing currently for my booster after having my second dose in august

oviraptor21 · 04/12/2021 22:59

The O50s have had plenty of opportunity. Bookings opened a while back and I've been receiving many reminders. Appointments were easily available so no 050s will be missing out.

neveradullmoment99 · 04/12/2021 23:02

Well they definitely are giving it early here in Scotland. I got a letter and my sibling got his early.

wouldntmindbeingmrsw · 04/12/2021 23:05

I went on Tuesday and had mine at a walk in centre. People were being turned away if theirs hadn't been 6 months apart,even by a couple of days.

FindingMeno · 05/12/2021 05:10

@oviraptor21 I am over 50. My 6 months is up this week and I will be going to a walk in centre.
I haven't booked anywhere because there is such a lack of availability.

Florianus · 05/12/2021 15:14

@DPotter

There was a walk in queue yesterday where I had my booster. Mine was booked but must have been 6 or so people in the walk in queue - it was not busy at all
You were fortunate. I took a friend for a pre-booked booster at a hospital hub last week and there must have been at least 100 in the queue. The wait was almost an hour, even with four vaccination cubicles running in parallel, but people were very good humoured about the wait. Very different to my own booster at the same place on the first Sunday in October - I was almost the only one there, and was seen straight away.