Can over 50s get a seasonal booster at a walk in vaccination centre now or not?

[TheBurntCity]

The NHS webpage isn't clear. Says "a seasonal booster (autumn booster) for some people, including those aged 50 years or over, those at higher risk or who are pregnant, and frontline health and social care workers", then says, "Currently certain people are being prioritised for getting a seasonal booster. Others, including those aged 50 to 64 who are not at higher risk, will be able to get it later in the autumn 2022."

Has anyone aged 50 to 74 gone to a walk in centre and been given the seasonal booster, or has anyone gone and been turned away?

As of the 12th, its over 65's, pregnant women and carers being called according to www.england.nhs.uk/2022/09/over-65s-can-now-book-autumn-covid-booster/

I’ve had a message from my doctor inviting me for mine. I’m mis 50’s. DH who is mid 60’s and registered with a different doctor has heard nothing.
No medical reason for me to be invited for third booster.

I've been able to book mine but I'm over 50 and immunosuppressed. It won't let DH book though which is annoying. I don't even know about the dc.

My dad went to a walk in vaccination centre today as was turned away. Apparently the Autumn booster jabs need an appointment but other people can just walk in and have theirs!

Yes, you can go to a walk-in centre. I don't know why this wasn't made obvious to the public.

Sorry, Op, above only applies if you're group 1-9, so the ones you mentioned above.

That's weird, how old is your dad?

We’ve been told to wait for our dr to send a text with a link to book. Apparently looking like that will be end of September. The link will allow us to book vaccination booster at a clinic set up as a central hub for the town.

I’m group six. Can I get a booster now? It’s not clear.

My colleague (early 50s) got on the other day at a walk-in centre.

I got an e mail link today but it is a total mess - offering me only one clinic which is miles away from me - in the next County in fact. I am eligible.

Thanks everyone. The walk in centre is not near me so I didn't want to make the trip and be turned away. It seems there's still a lot of different opinions about who is eligible, looking at the replies.

@TheBurntCity Yes it seems the eligibility criteria is the same across the board - but how it’s implemented varies greatly from area/surgery/nhs trust etc.

Here I think you still have to book through the national booking page, which is saying only over 65s so far, and the sites they direct you to are not offering walk-ins for boosters (they do offer walk ins for other age groups for 1-3 dose at the same time). So here it seems to be a no. Some surgeries are offering the vaccine themselves, though, and they are contacting people in whatever time frame works for them, but mine doesn't seem to be offering it this time. Last time it formed a consortium with other surgeries in the town and they offered it jointly, but now it seems to be each surgery making the decision for itself. I guess the nhs site will announce when it's open for 50+

I know some of the surgery sites are offering it alongside the flu jab, which would be convenient. Does anyone know if the national hubs for covid vaccines are also offering flu? I doubt it somehow, but it would be good. I can try to go to Boots or wherever, but I'm not sure they're offering it free to over 50s yet - I think you have to wait til later in the autumn for that, but not sure after what date. And my surgery might be doing flu jabs even if not covid ones.

No, they'll only be doing the covid jab.

I can't believe this varies so much per area, I work in vaccinations in the South East and people definitely don't need to book/wait for a letter.

@PicaNewName he's 74

The clinic I'm working at are only doing 65+, pregnant and immunosuppressed at the moment. It is all booked via 119/online though, no walk ins. Also still doing children's ones, but that's a different vaccine and mostly 1st and 2nd doses.

Oh and carers

I forgot my appointment was yesterday and they did mine today anyway. Big queues and they had run out of over 65 flu jabs (luckily I'm 37!)
They were offering the vaccine to people who were there accompanying others from what I heard

Are you just using the new Moderna bivalent or are some people getting the old Pfizer?
I'm curious because they haven't ordered enough of the new one to do the 26 million who are eligable. I'd be very keen to get the new one myself. I am immunocompromised and booked in for next week.
I'd also be interested to know what the take up is. I'm guessing a lot won't bother.

@Blix it was only moderna where I went today if that helps (the new one) and I had to queue for quite a while
However I was the youngest there by about 40 years!

I booked mine through the gov Covid website, loads of spaces, I got one for the next day. Mine was given to me as Moderna, but a friend told me hers was given under the new name of Spikevax, which is apparently Moderna under a new name. I would have loved to have heard the focus group discussion that came up with that consumer friendly name change.😱

And I have since had THREE texts from different places asking me to book my appointment!

DH (CEV, mid 50s) and I (CV, aged 64,) have both booked covid and flu jabs together through our GP surgery. We were offered two dates in October.

I took DM for her booster yesterday and they asked her how old I was. DM, bit forgetful at 80, couldn't remember - I'm 50, but it sounded like I could have been jabbed at the same time if I'd actually gone in with her.