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Covid

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Original poster

Turning up early to vaccine appointment?

18 replies

AmberRoseGold · 15/03/2022 09:31

My daughter is scared of needles. We have a 12-15yo appointment at 9h45 this weekend (she doesn’t know yet as she has asked to know for as little time as possible). But she now has a fun thing to do afterwards.
It’s a large vaccine centre. Anyone know how likely it is that if I turn up at 9am that she would be able to be jabbed then? I would rather have it over and done with so she has longer to relax before fun event. But worst possible outcome would be to turn up at 9 and have to wait 45 minutes.
I can’t rebook as the centre now doesn’t offer 12-15yo appointments on the NHS booking website.

Any thoughts very gratefully received. Thank you.

OP posts:

beattieedny · 15/03/2022 09:33

I wouldn't turn up early. My teen is terrified of needles so I understand! But the less hanging around, the better. Ten minutes before appt time is as early as I'd go. Good luck!

SparklingLime · 15/03/2022 09:47

Can you ring the centre and ask what is possible to make it as easy as possible for her?

SheWoreYellow · 15/03/2022 09:50

I think that’s in the realms of ‘just a bit early’. They’ll just put her in the queue.
But equally, does 45 minutes really make any difference? I’d probably aim for 9.25am.

SheWoreYellow · 15/03/2022 09:51

Oh if you can mention when you arrive that she is very scared they may well just whisk her straight in.

ImAvingOops · 15/03/2022 09:55

I would. Where I live appointments are very loose in terms of timing anyway, especially now that most people have been vaccinated and the pressure to get through numbers has reduced. If she is really scared, tell them and they should offer to let her lie down. The nurses who did my dd's, let her lie down and brought her juice and a biscuit

Original poster

AmberRoseGold · 15/03/2022 12:32

No number anywhere. Doctors told me to ring 119 which was useless. I am going to drive out there- quite a way the week before and ask if it is possible. Think —begging— face to face might be the best solution.

OP posts:

SparklingLime · 15/03/2022 12:46

What kind of building is it held in, OP? I got a telephone number for the building (in its usual use) and they put me through to someone in vac centre. Wasn’t expecting it to work, but it did. You could also ask (tweet?) your local CCG asking how to contact the centre. Actually some of the centres have their own Twitter or Facebook pages.

Original poster

AmberRoseGold · 15/03/2022 13:01

Ooh I might try tweeting. It’s so annoying when there is a clear increase in cases and second vaccination seems to have most benefit. I asked on local chat page but mostly had people telling me that I was a bad parent for giving my child experimental vaccines.

OP posts:

Cookerhood · 15/03/2022 13:04

Where I vaccinate it wouldn't matter at all, but I imagine everywhere is different. We don't have a phone number either.

AnneOfCleavage · 15/03/2022 16:02

@AmberRoseGold At the vaccination centre where I volunteer if you go up to a Marshal near the front of the queue and say you have a terrified of needles teen they will queue jump you as they don't want jab refusers due to nerves. It's so quiet at the moment that it really shouldn't be an issue turning up at 9am. My DD had a 3.45 appointment and we turned up at 1pm and they didn't blink.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 15/03/2022 18:10

It wouldn't matter at the vaccine centres I work with, basically if your name is on the list for some point that day they'll see you whenever people turn up. As PP have said the vaccine centres are so quiet at the moment there probably won't be much waiting around, do let someone know when you arrive of her fear of needles though. Hope everything goes OK for her

Rekorderlig88 · 15/03/2022 18:13

I've done a spell working as a vaccinator and please phone and ask.
I'm sure they will let you go at 9am but phoning first is a good plan

Cookerhood · 15/03/2022 19:27

OP already said there was no phone number.

Thisisconfusing · 15/03/2022 20:02

I would tweet the organisation that runs the vaccine centre . I had an issue and tweeted them . They asked me to DM them my email . The head nurse of the hospital trust emailed me and copied in the lead vaccinator for the day - she also emailed me directly . I have a friend whose daughter is very phobic of needles - the centres handled it brilliantly. I don’t think it matters if you turn up a bit early - my sister is a lead vaccinator and their centre isn’t as busy right now . Good luck

amicissimma · 15/03/2022 20:07

At all the places I've stewarded people are vaccinated in the order they turn up, regardless of appointment time.

From time to time people turn up who can't wait for some reason, such as needle phobia or having a small child with them or being in good time for their appointment and needing to get out quickly. The vaccinators will always see such people next, if we ask, so just mention her fear to the steward after you've checked in.

jytdtysrht · 15/03/2022 20:30

Our big centre would definitely do it early with no problem. So would our little one actually. I’ve been so many times with my df, dc at different times and also myself.

jytdtysrht · 15/03/2022 20:31

Tell them she doesn’t like needles as well - they’ll likely accommodate.

Iamkmackered1979 · 15/03/2022 20:37

Our vaccine centre is appointments and drop in so check what the clinic plans are so you know. Could you call or drop in the day before? We’ve had this and it’s fine. They may reschedule for another time or day.. hope it all goes well and staff are patient

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