Covid vaccine relief

[Sunflower_28]

I cannot tell you how stressful the last few weeks have been, trying to fight to get my covid vaccine. My GP weren’t budging, telling me that I had to wait my turn to be invited. My anxiety has been through the roof - the worst it’s ever been. I haven’t been sleeping etc. It’s been affecting my daily life a lot.

There were emails back and fourth from my GP practice, then they told me to call 119. Thinking I wouldn’t get anywhere, I did! I cannot believe it. It’s just taught me that if you keep on fighting for something, it will happen! So to all of the lovely people on here who are in the same boat - and told me to not give up, keep on pushing! I hope that this gives people who are no longer prioritised a bit of hope

[Loulou9000]

Well done for persevering GreyLady25, it definitely is worth at least making sure your medical notes are up to date at least! Glad you no longer have to be stressed and anxious.

[Sunflower_28 in reply to Loulou9000]

Thank you so much! I feel very relieved.

[Mayneffy]

Well done, glad it's worked out for you! Husband was offered his a few days back but it's too far away (bus and train). Been onto 119 but they said they couldn't help. So I think you were lucky. We will just wait and see now.

[Sunflower_28 in reply to Mayneffy]

Thank you so much. So sorry to hear that 😢 definitely keep on trying though, I had to ask many times!

[Thomas45 in reply to Mayneffy]

What part of the UK are you in, Mayneffy? Have you checked your Gap's website for information on the Vaccination programme, and your CCG - Clinical Commissioning Group ?

[Spikedog66 in reply to Mayneffy]

I dont know where you live but there are places locally ring your Gp. I was unwell when I got a text message so couldn't attend and appointment was local then I received a letter telling me miles away to get vaccine. Rang 119 no help. Gps have places local they gave me a number rang that made an appointment. Sorted last week. Worth a try... Missing people who need this vaccine.

[ahfat41 in reply to Mayneffy]

Is there a local vaccination hub where you live? Did your invite come from gp or NHS? I find from friends if you get invite from gp, it is more local. Invite from NHS could be far. Got invite from gp and only one vaccine centre was allocated and it is local. Best to ring gp and discuss.

[Hidden]

That’s great news! I can totally relate to the anxiety levels, mine have been taken to a whole new level these past 12 months, and like you my GP said that I’d have to wait for my age group (I’m 29) so when I got the invite a few days after that, the relief was massive! Nearly 2 weeks on and no side affects apart from slight ache at the injection site for a day or two done! Well done for persevering and continuing to push, here’s hoping more and more of us that have been let down will be vaccinated soon x

[Sunflower_28]

Thank you! I feel very relieved.

So sorry to hear that you’ve been hit hard mentally too, it’s been so tough hasn’t it. I’m really pleased that you got yours, and it’s reassuring to hear that you got no side affects apart from the sore arm! Amazing news.

Thanks so much, it’s just made me realise that if you truly fight for something, then you can get it. Maybe it was a little bit of luck too but I’ve had none the last few weeks. Yes exactly, I really hope that more and more of us will get their voices heard too x

[elanaoali]

It's hard to keep pushing and pushing. I got my text today from my doctors for the jab booked it for March 20th for category 6. I did email the surgery yesterday but was told I would have to talk to my doctor. I was gearing up for a fight even sent a direct request to the surgery using their form. Obviously didn't have to.

Keep going folks. You are in my prayers.

[Sunflower_28 in reply to elanaoali]

It is hard to keep pushing. However, it was getting to the stage for me where it was getting in the way of my daily life because my mental health was so bad.

That’s great that you’ve got yours booked. Mines booked for the 22nd

That’s exactly what happened with my doctors, until they said to me today to try ringing 119.

Still, more needs to be done for asthmatics. I just hope and pray that as many of us are vaccinated as soon as possible.

[B2B1]

Fantastic news GreyLady25!! Really pleased that your perseverance has paid off. We shouldn’t have to fight for what we should be entitled to and I totally understand how the stress and worry has affected your mental health. I feel the same.

Thanks also for your kind reply to my earlier post. I have my telephone appointment with the asthma nurse today. Feeling nervous and doubtful it will do any good but worth a try. I’m 55 with moderate asthma and previous hospital admissions and haven’t had an invite yet. By the looks of things it might not be too long before I get called in my age group anyway.

I really feel for the people younger than me who are being passed over as I would have felt extremely anxious about this too.

All the best to you and thanks for inspiring the rest of us to keep pushing xx

[Sunflower_28 in reply to B2B1]

Thank you so much! I totally agree that we shouldn’t have to fight for what we’re entitled to, and it’s sad that it’s come to this. I think it was the fact that my mental health was getting worse and worse, and it’s awful to know that so many others including yourself are going through the same.

You’re very welcome and please let me know how your telephone appointment goes - I have everything crossed for you. It’s definitely worth a try, I was nervous when I rang up yesterday too so I completely understand your worries. Bless your heart, you probably won’t have too long to wait but you have every right to demand one sooner - the anxiety of not having it affects everyone differently, some people are prepared to wait but others simply cannot.

I feel really awful for those people too. Although the rollout has been successful in terms of how many people have been vaccinated, I think the groups have been very muddled. It’s definitely a bit of a postcode lottery, which again isn’t fair at all.

All the best to you too! I certainly hope that I’ve helped others to find their voice as I certainly found mine. Take care of yourself xx

[Bea2000]

Just called 119, been told its up to my GP and on their system I'm not down as vulnerable so I would have to get ny GP to change it.

Congratulations on getting your vaccine!!

[Sunflower_28 in reply to Bea2000]

I’m so sorry to hear that, it is upsetting that not all of us are being treated the same but I think a lot of it is the area you live in, as my GP told me to ring 119. Plus a new vaccination centre is opening in my area so this means more people can be vaccinated.

Thank you so much, I hope you get to have yours soon too x

[Bea2000 in reply to Sunflower_28]

My GP said I wasn't eligible and said if you have questions ring 119, who said it was up to my GP. It does really seem to depend on the GP practice I think some are sticking to the rules more than others (but sticking to the guidelines leaves a lot of people are risk soo its a bit messy)

[Sunflower_28 in reply to Bea2000]

Oh right I see, yes I agree that probably is the case which isn’t fair and I understand that. There’s so many factors which make a difference; GP practice, area, etc. I just went by what my GP said and that was the call 119.

I agree that sticking to the rules does leave a lot of people at risk which is worrying.