Vaccinations, flaws in the system?

[Lucan Unlordly]

Having been turned away from a vaccination centre earlier today - my fault - I returned home to see where I'd gone wrong?
Having booked the first appointment and received on screen confirmation I tried to book the second to be told that none were available, I assumed because of the recent publicity about giving the first vax to as many people as possible that I, like friends and family who've been jabbed by their GP, would be contacted later. Like I say my fault, I didn't see the bit on the back page of the invite saying both appointments must be booked at the same time, but neither was I informed of this online, nor that the first appointment would not stand.
I overheard some of the staff talking, describing me as 'that's another one', so I didn't appear to be alone in making this error.

The flaws?
The system allows one to choose where you have your first and second doses. Those who were vulnerable through old age, frontline staff etc., that have already been vaccinated by their GP, at work, elsewhere, do not have to return to their GP but can instead book the second dose at a regional centre. Those who've had their first dose having taken a 2 bus journey or found difficulty parking can now opt for a more convenient option.

Subsequently there appears to be a disparity in numbers between the centres?
The centre I went to today, 5 miles away, now has no first dose slots available but does have second dose slots. A second centre 15 miles away has first dose slots but no second dose availability.
A mate is having to travel to my nearest centre and I'm having to travel to his!

Surely it would be much more efficient to allocate the same centre for both vaccination doses? 'See you again in 12 weeks time'... With two different brands of vaccine any shortages will only add to any disruption.

A certain irony whilst we are not supposed to travel outside of area, that amongst the available options that I could have selected were centres some 25 miles away!

 

[Hunnie]

Hello Lucan, I booked both vaccinations at the same time as I think it wouldn't let me just book one. But it took me all day as one or other kept going 'no longer available'.
Also the nearest centre (a local pharmacy) kept disappearing off the list, so I had to keep refreshing until it appeared again.
I had the vaccination last Monday. Arm ached a bit for a couple of days and felt quite tired last week.

 

[Mr D]

Having been turned away from a vaccination centre earlier today - my fault - I returned home to see where I'd gone wrong?
Having booked the first appointment and received on screen confirmation I tried to book the second to be told that none were available, I assumed because of the recent publicity about giving the first vax to as many people as possible that I, like friends and family who've been jabbed by their GP, would be contacted later. Like I say my fault, I didn't see the bit on the back page of the invite saying both appointments must be booked at the same time, but neither was I informed of this online, nor that the first appointment would not stand.
I overheard some of the staff talking, describing me as 'that's another one', so I didn't appear to be alone in making this error.

The flaws?
The system allows one to choose where you have your first and second doses. Those who were vulnerable through old age, frontline staff etc., that have already been vaccinated by their GP, at work, elsewhere, do not have to return to their GP but can instead book the second dose at a regional centre. Those who've had their first dose having taken a 2 bus journey or found difficulty parking can now opt for a more convenient option.

Subsequently there appears to be a disparity in numbers between the centres?
The centre I went to today, 5 miles away, now has no first dose slots available but does have second dose slots. A second centre 15 miles away has first dose slots but no second dose availability.
A mate is having to travel to my nearest centre and I'm having to travel to his!

Surely it would be much more efficient to allocate the same centre for both vaccination doses? 'See you again in 12 weeks time'... With two different brands of vaccine any shortages will only add to any disruption.

A certain irony whilst we are not supposed to travel outside of area, that amongst the available options that I could have selected were centres some 25 miles away!

Some people choose to get done at particular places because they will be near them.
One of the places in my area is near enough to my office to suit me if I was going into the office.
So for thousands or tens of thousands of people that site may suit better than harder to get to places requiring multiple buses but far closer to home.
Its a site with access by dozens of buses from all over the region - locally to me there are several other places doing vaccinations that are 2 or 3 bus trips away, but 7 or more miles closer.

 

[fisicx]

I didn't book anything. I got a text with a date and time - walked to the location (10mins), got jabbed and was back home 10mins later. They will then text me when my second is due.

So maybe it's a different process where you are.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Hello Lucan, I booked both vaccinations at the same time as I think it wouldn't let me just book one. But it took me all day as one or other kept going 'no longer available'.
Also the nearest centre (a local pharmacy) kept disappearing off the list, so I had to keep refreshing until it appeared again.
I had the vaccination last Monday. Arm ached a bit for a couple of days and felt quite tired last week.

When I got back home I called the telephone booking line and that's exactly what they are experiencing. The lady was very helpful but could do no more than go back and forth until a suitable and available match was found.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I didn't book anything. I got a text with a date and time - walked to the location (10mins), got jabbed and was back home 10mins later. They will then text me when my second is due.

So maybe it's a different process where you are.

Was that due to being in a vulnerable or older age group?

 

[DEFCON1]

I didn't book anything. I got a text with a date and time - walked to the location (10mins), got jabbed and was back home 10mins later. They will then text me when my second is due.

So maybe it's a different process where you are.

I had the same.
A text a couple of weeks ago, booked and in the next day.
I think it’s only recently or in some areas that both bookings are now being offered together.

 

[Ian J]

I didn't book anything. I got a text with a date and time - walked to the location (10mins), got jabbed and was back home 10mins later. They will then text me when my second is due.

So maybe it's a different process where you are.

I think that there are a number of different processes. i got a text message to ring my GP who then offered me an appointment. After having my jab I received a letter telling me to apply online for my second jab with a jabbing centre that wasn't yet open which i did.

I received a telephone call from the GP to give me an appointment for my son and they told me that they would contact me again in due course for the second jab

 

[fisicx]

Was that due to being in a vulnerable or older age group?

Don’t think so. This is just how they are doing it locally.

 

[wayzgoose]

Received a text for the first one, then a 2nd text 5 weeks later for the 2nd one. 6 week gap between appointments.

 

[cts1975]

I booked my first appointment online. There was not an option to book the second.
An hour after I had my first injection a received an email with my second appointment on.
I never choose the date & time of the second. A couple of our drivers could choose the second appointment time but not the date.

 

[Scottishgifts4u]

I got a letter to go to a centre to get an injection. I got there but was turned away because I’d had a tetanus injection earlier that week and it needed to be 7 days clear.

Now I’m struggling to get an appointment anywhere. I’ve phoned 3 mornings in a row only to be told no appointments were available and try again tomorrow.

That’s Scotland by the way.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I booked my first appointment online. There was not an option to book the second.
An hour after I had my first injection a received an email with my second appointment on.
I never choose the date & time of the second. A couple of our drivers could choose the second appointment time but not the date.

Was this via the .GOV.UK website?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Received a text for the first one, then a 2nd text 5 weeks later for the 2nd one. 6 week gap between appointments.

I was led to believe that there should be 12 weeks between injections?

 

[fisicx]

I was led to believe that there should be 12 weeks between injections?

Up to 12 weeks. You need about 4 between them to get the full benefit.

 

[wayzgoose]

I was led to believe that there should be 12 weeks between injections?

I think that was only to spread the available vaccine out so more people got the first. Originally it was a three week gap wasn't it?

 

[Newchodge]

I booked both mine - first due Thursday, after a letter with very clear details. My husband got a text but when he tried to make the booking it said he was not eligible!

 

[cts1975]

Was this via the .GOV.UK website?

No this was via The Countess of Chester Hospital portal. I suspect we were put in with care staff and hospital staff as we were invited by the LA. The system was hosted by https://simplybook.me/en/

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I've managed to get re-booked. First jab at the Timbuctoo branch of Dorothy Perkins and the second at a chicken farm down a muddy track off Clacton High Street.

Well, not quite as bad as that, but a definite feeling that I nearly missed all the good spots!