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Original poster

Waiting after the booster?

30 replies

Stagingawalkout · 13/12/2021 16:35

If you've had a pfizer/moderna booster, did you have to sit and wait for 15 minutes after?

Not liking my chances sitting in a room with 20 people or more, even with masks, with Omicron. I would like to just walk out and take my chances but last time they seemed almost threatening when I said I wanted to leave to wait in the car with my husband, like they would almost physically make me 🤔

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Kittypillar · 13/12/2021 16:38

When I got mine yesterday, they had some chairs outside where you could wait, near where the line inside was! Obviously I'm not sure if they'll have that everywhere but they might where you're going too.

Nidan2Sandan · 13/12/2021 16:38

Had to wait for 10 minutes.

Kittypillar · 13/12/2021 16:39

*near where the line for going inside was I mean

pinkharts · 13/12/2021 16:39

They asked me to wait but I just walked off back to the car. Nobody said anything

Fallagain · 13/12/2021 16:39

They ask you to stay but obviously they can’t make you

wildcheesesteak · 13/12/2021 16:45

They weren't monitoring it for the booster where I went whereas at the 1st 2 vaccinations they jabbed a group of people at the same time, we all sat in a specific area to wait, and then someone told us when 15 mins had passed.

I don't think they're bothered about monitoring it now.

SawdustandHay · 13/12/2021 16:46

We were told to wait for ten minutes but that we should time ourselves and there was no signing out process. It was crowded and an employee shut the front door so I left after about three minutes. It was a really fast process with huge numbers going through a small chemist’s shop. This was last week.

IGotHam · 13/12/2021 16:47

I had a moderna booster 5 days ago and I had to wait for 15 minutes. The chairs were very spread out though and the building I was in had high ceilings

byvirtue · 13/12/2021 16:47

I had mine today and left immediately after. No way I was spending a second longer than I had to in a vaccine centre!

AlwaysColdHands · 13/12/2021 16:50

Yes, advised 15 mins (to monitor yourself). Very spaces out chairs and screens. Most people seemed to conform where I was

picklemewalnuts · 13/12/2021 16:50

Just be careful. I fainted this morning, out of the blue. I had mine yesterday afternoon. Obviously 15 mins on a chair didn't prevent it, but just be aware fainting is a real possibility. Make sure you are somewhere visible and soft to land!

Finknottlesnewt · 13/12/2021 16:54

You are being illogical OP. Those administering the vaccine do not have power of arrest. (Unless for some strange reason the police are doing it in your area)

The vaccine staff can ASK you to wait . For safety reasons. You are I presume a grown adult and work out your best course of action. If the waiting room is busy and unventilated then go wait in your car, or other outside space. And politely decline the offer . You really don't need someone's permission.

Cookerhood · 13/12/2021 16:55

We ask people to wait for 15 minutes but can't force them. BJ did say at last week's press conference that they might remove the 15 mins. I have seen people faint twice while sitting for their 15 mins so I was glad it hadn't happened in the car park or while they were driving.

Original poster
Stagingawalkout · 13/12/2021 16:57

We would go out and sit in the car for 15 minutes after, we will be having it together. We did the maths on the risk of any severe side effects and it was something absolutely absurd like one in many many millions that both of us would have a reaction needing urgent medical attention so we feel pretty secure in that that won't happen.

Just have to be more brave I guess! Just because some woman says I have to, doesn't mean I do. Hopefully I wouldn't be tackled to the ground. More likely if it's an army nurse perhaps.

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EmmyLake · 13/12/2021 16:57

They asked me to wait, but when I made a face, they said it was advice and they couldn't force me! I did wait though as there was a seat which wasn't as surrounded by people as the others. I probably wouldn't have if I'd had pfizer before and knew I was ok with it.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 13/12/2021 17:00

Yes they do tell you to wait for 15 mins, they watch you as well.

Original poster
Stagingawalkout · 13/12/2021 17:11

Well, we will be saying thank you but no thank you this time. I've had the pfizer before but husband hasn't. I'll be there to run and get someone if the worst happens but honestly, we both feel like Omicron is a far bigger threat at this point.

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TheVampiresWife · 13/12/2021 17:17

I've just seen on the news that they're doing away with the wait to speed up processing times. It was only introduced because two HCPs fainted during trials apparently.

When I had my booster I was taken to a side room to have it and to wait because I'm mask exempt but also CEV. A lovely chap brought me tea and a biscuit. I felt very spoiled!

CovidCurious · 13/12/2021 17:23

You don't have to wait if you don't want to, just as you can discharge yourself from hospital against advice. But if anything goes wrong you have no comeback on them. Going to wait in the car is a perfectly reasonable compromise.

Iamanicepersonreally · 13/12/2021 17:28

I was asked to go and wait in my car for 15 minutes

Hizz · 13/12/2021 17:33

There's a Twitter thread on this very subject.
twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1470308701886111745

When I had my very first vaccine back in January (AZ) I was asked to wait in car for 15 minutes. No way would I wait in a vaccine centre.

Giggorata · 13/12/2021 17:34

Was it introduced because of a risk of fainting?
Blimey, I thought it was in case of an anaphylactic reaction… that's why I sat there for 15 mins every time. Glad we were all spaced out with doors open…

itwasntaparty · 13/12/2021 17:35

I was sent out after my first two and booster, no wait at all.

Guacamole001 · 13/12/2021 17:36

16 yr ds had his 2nd jab last Thursday. There were quite a few volunteers hanging around the observation rooms.

Whereas when I went for my 1st two jabs nobody was observing. It was a different building though.

Wonder what will happen at my booster booking.

Guess depends on how many volunteers.

Original poster
Stagingawalkout · 13/12/2021 17:49

@Hizz

There's a Twitter thread on this very subject. twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1470308701886111745

When I had my very first vaccine back in January (AZ) I was asked to wait in car for 15 minutes. No way would I wait in a vaccine centre.

Glad to see more people questioning the madness of the wait.

Not gonna lie, the thought of waiting with a bunch of people is making me not want to go at all.

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