Under 50's vaccines

[emmathedilemma]

Does anyone know what's happening up here for the age groups under 50 (who don't fall into the carers / underlying health conditions etc that have already been done)?
I read that NHS England weren't planning to start them before May due to supply issues and to enable them to keep up with second doses but I haven't seen anything relating to Scotland. The BBC website just has all age groups under 50 defined as "by the end of July". The omni queue calculator reckons first dose for age 40+ between 10th & 19th April but I suspect that's fake news.
Has anyone under 50 had an invite yet??
I'm getting impatient now!!

I can't log in to nhs inform online anymore. The site has locked me out!

Oops, managed to get it all reset. I have no upcoming appointments it says, am at 7 weeks post dose 1 and 50+

I think the approach that Lothian is taking with the hubs is very impractical. Most of them are difficult to access without a car. You get very little notice before your appointment and the online booking system seems to have no slots to swap to.

It's almost like they have designed it as a challenge to see how crazy/dedicated we are.

I fear that the vaccination levels for the younger groups will be much lower not because of hesitancy, but inconvenience!!

I do hope they start holding "just turn up" type clinics.

I got my letter today, so logged on and was able to get tomorrow afternoon at the same hub as I was due to go to. They had tonnes of appointments for tomorrow and it is my nearest one. So getting it 11 days early.

@Puddock1 don't know if you have had any luck but for most people in the Highland health board it will be the GP that organises the vaccine so you may not be on the national system this link gives some info www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/COVID19/Pages/Vaccination.aspx
Most of these appointments will not get a letter it will just be the GP phoning or texting and you don't shown on the main system.

Grovee is that 12 weeks after your first one, if you don't mind me asking?

@rainbowunicorn thanks for the info. I got through to the helpline last night and was told to contact the GP. The website you linked is useful - I'll hold off getting in touch for now since I'm not over 50. Thanks again.

@Puddock1 you are very welcome. I know how frustrating it can be waiting to hear. My experience is the GP's will text or phone with only a couple of days notice as they wait until they know for sure how much vaccine they are getting each week then schedule clinics. A couple of people I know have even had a call in the morning asking them to go in that afternoon.
Fingers crossed you will hear soon.

@Looksabitbig

Grovee is that 12 weeks after your first one, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm now 11 weeks and 3 days after my last one. I was nearly at 13 weeks with my June date.

Had my first vaccine dose last night 💪

Was told if I don't hear back by week 10 then I have to phone a number on the green leaflet.

There was a constant stream of people coming in. The letter system is obviously working for this age group.

Sore arm last night but it's not too bad this morning 👍

Still waiting to get an invitation for my first dose (42 in the Highlands). Going to try phoning the GP surgery tomorrow to enquire now that we're into June. I'm sure I read on one of the NHS sites that all over 40s should have received an invitation by the end of May. My 29 year old relatives in the south of Scotland are getting theirs this week!

I know loads of people in their 40s getting called now

I’ve had mine (48) but I was in group 6. Had my second dose 3 weeks ago

Has anyone turned down the astrazenica vaccine at their appointment and asked for a different kind?

An over 40 friend of mine asked if he could have another one and they said no, it was just for under 40s. His option was to take the AstraZeneca or to refuse the appointment and try again further down the line. He (correctly) took the AZ.

I asked for an alternative but was told none were available for me as I'm just the wrong side of 40 and if I didn't take the AZ I'd be marked as a refusal and have to rebook. A friend did this though. I'm not sure if she's managed to get another appointment yet.

My husband did the same but because he's not quite 40 (a couple of months away, but was called up in the 40s group) he was allowed the pfizer as they were luckily also giving it out in the centre that day.

For over 40s it is AZ or nothing. No discretion.

They were v kind about it but said their hands were tied.

Dh, late 40s was given Pfizer a few weeks back, that's just what they had.

@Olliphant

Has anyone turned down the astrazenica vaccine at their appointment and asked for a different kind?

My friend turned up for hers and it was Pfizer. She had to turn it down as she's has a severe nut allergy and struggled to get anywhere that could guarantee AstraZeneca. She was marked as having had it even though she hadn't.

Supply seems to be lumpy ...

Apparently in England you are asked if you are or could be pregnant. You are then given Pfizer if you say yes. I don't think this is asked here, is it? Shouldn't it be?

www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/07/pregnant-women-in-uk-passed-from-pillar-to-post-over-choice-of-vaccine

Issues in England, but not even a question asked in Scotland. I feel we are really being treated less well here.

I was asked if I was pregnant or breastfeeding (Edinburgh). Not sure what would have happened if I'd said yes?!

I'm not on Twitter but would be worth asking those in charge

I've emailed the RCOG who made the recommendations