Flu vaccination

[Justmuddlingalong]

Does anyone know if those eligible for this year's vaccine (in Scotland) have to wait for a letter informing them? Or do they phone their GP's surgery before? TIA.

I'm currently fuming. BIL received his letter and automatically handed it to me to sort. I emailed with all his details as the phone lines were so busy. He's been phoning me constantly to see if his appointment has come through to my email address. It did, today. I've just phoned to give him the time and date, only for him to tell me he had one this morning, I'm confused but I think he went to the chemist and paid for it privately. So I'm now stuck with trying to cancel his NHS one, when the phone lines are still clogged and someone else could use the appointment.

Where I am I got a letter saying book an appointment at the surgery.

Arranged for today. Slightly weird we were let in the back door injected and sent off.

@Justmuddlingalong, gosh that's frustrating for you!!!

I had one done at local super drug, £12.99..first time ever but at mid 50s thought it was better being safe than sorry.

@Justmuddlingalong very frustrating...

After saying upthread that DP had had a text back saying he would be issued with an appointment within a week... he wasn't! So he waited another few weeks, then phoned up again. He failed to get through the first day, but by phoning early the second day actually got into their "queue". When he eventually spoke to a real person and told her the story, she checked his details on the system to make sure he had not already been allocated an appointment. Apparently they have had cases where appointments had been made for text and email contacts, but the people hadn't actually been notified! Anyway, he now has a local appointment next week.

I forgot to add that when DP was given his appointment he was told he should phone back to rearrange it if he discovered he couldn't make it next week. He suggested that they should bring in another phone number for that as otherwise no-one would never get through to release appointments!

I’m worried about my DM.
She’s in Glasgow, late 70s, lives alone and still hasn’t had a letter about her flu jab.
She says there’s been a mix up and is saying she thinks she might have to go to a Hall somewhere to get it done ??
Does this sound likely?

I’m struggling to understand and I’m trying to persuade her to book a chemist appt and pay for it rather than wait any longer.

I’d be grateful for any info as I’m in England and not on hand to help her.
( even if she’d let me help her)

@BusyDreaming

It does sound likely. Flu jabs in our town are at the local Scout Hall. In our region (Fife) I think over-65s are being contacted first, then under-65s with underlying health issues, then over-55s in December.

You can check the details for each region here but you often can't phone to make an appointment without a letter.

@BusyDreaming I am worried about my friend, also in Glasgow, who has not received a letter yet. She is in her 80's and is also expecting it to be in a hall. My mum lives in East Ren and got her letter weeks ago. She had to go to her local shopping centre to get the vaccine. I am hoping my friend gets a letter soon, if not I will have to phone someone to try find out what's happening.

PurpleFrog thanks for the link.

Summone it looks like your friend and my DM are in the same boat.
If I find out anything useful, I’ll post again.

Maybe Glasgow are just being more sensible and are sending out the letters in small batches, rather than sending 60-70 thousand out in one go and overloading first Royal Mail and then the phone lines.

Thank you BusyDreaming

@BusyDreaming

I’m worried about my DM. She’s in Glasgow, late 70s, lives alone and still hasn’t had a letter about her flu jab. She says there’s been a mix up and is saying she thinks she might have to go to a Hall somewhere to get it done ?? Does this sound likely?

I’m struggling to understand and I’m trying to persuade her to book a chemist appt and pay for it rather than wait any longer.

I’d be grateful for any info as I’m in England and not on hand to help her.
( even if she’d let me help her)

In my area school halls are being used. The council are organising the appointments ( instead of Gp's) that's why it's so messed up.

My DSis is very vulnerable, health wise, and hasn't received her letter either. Her DH has and has already received his jab. She called to chase her letter up and was told to expect it towards the end of November. She's South Lanarkshire.