nightmare: had a letter of NHS for my 3rd covid... - CLL Support

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nightmare

kel555 profile image
42 Replies

had a letter of NHS for my 3rd covid vaccine ,it states the 3rd vaccine is different than the booster vaccine ,,,,joke when i rung the nhs booking line they replyed that they dont do 3rd vaccines only the boosters so i phone my gp up and explained about the letter ,,,joke again they said they cant give the covid jab untill 26 weeks after your 2 dose but ,,,wait for it,,,,the letter states you should get your 3rd vaccine 8 weeks after your 2 vaccine ,,,,what is going on here ,iam thinking should i leave this and not bother ,,,,,kell

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kel555
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42 Replies

Total confusion. Non understand! Go for the booster full dose now as you like me clearly missed the 8 week half dose. If they’ve sent you a letter it’s possible you can book online regardless of what your medics say. Protection is better than discussion on protocol.

kel555 profile image
kel555 in reply to

thankyou devonner

bennevisplace profile image
bennevisplace

Sigh....Here we go again.

1. Per JCVI, you are definitely eligible for the third primary dose. Do NOT agree to wait for a booster, raise maximum stink.

2. Per JCVI, that dose should be with Pfizer/ Moderna unless not available in which case AZ.

3. If Pfizer (most have been but AZ is now subbing in some instances) the third dose and the booster dose are the same 0.3 ml.

Peggy4 profile image
Peggy4 in reply tobennevisplace

Plan seems to be that when all this is sorted (Ha!) the NHS will change the code on boosters so as we will receive another one in 6 months. This is obviously UK and possibly not even Wales. For now, I have had the third jab/booster. If in six months it’s not sorted I will then fight my corner.Peggy

bennevisplace profile image
bennevisplace in reply toPeggy4

Peggy you're OK, I'm OK, but it's beyond a joke that people like Kell have to fight their corner to get #3 now, five weeks after the Third Primary Dose programme should have started, and two weeks after Javid told TV audiences that "the immunosuppressed have been prioritised, rightly so, and the NHS primarily through GP networks are reaching out to each and every one of them...bla bla bla" twitter.com/bloodcancer_uk/...

Peggy4 profile image
Peggy4 in reply tobennevisplace

Oh gosh I wasn't for one minute taking an ‘I’m alright Jack’ stance. Mine was done from the beginning and I’ve been trying hard to understand how it all works ever since. Were I not a frontline worker I would be in exactly the same position having heard nothing from my GP or medical team. Sorry if my reply gave that impression.

Peggy.

bennevisplace profile image
bennevisplace in reply toPeggy4

No worries Peggy, I was just letting off steam, mainly at the hypocrisy of it all😠

I try to stay positive, until I realise it's better to stay negative. Covidly confused 🤪

scarletnoir profile image
scarletnoir in reply toPeggy4

Hi Peggy -

Took Mam (99) for her booster on Saturday, and asked if I could have any spares as I was over 70 and her carer - answer, 'no' as I hadn't reached 26 weeks from the second dose - that'll be in a week! Didn't even know that immunocompromised people could have the booster sooner, so didn't mention that - I haven't had a letter.

Never mind - presumably it won't be long now (and bloods still fine on 6 month checkup).

Peggy4 profile image
Peggy4 in reply toscarletnoir

Such a mess! Even if I could understand the immediate confusion, surely now it should be sorted.

scarletnoir profile image
scarletnoir in reply toPeggy4

As I'm pretty careful, it probably won't change my behaviour at all anyway... it would have been different if I'd still been working.

Peggy4 profile image
Peggy4 in reply toscarletnoir

Yes agree. I’ m working but split thinking. I don’t NOT want to work either so take my chances.

scarletnoir profile image
scarletnoir in reply toPeggy4

Of course, as I understand it there's no easy way to know how much protection we have, even if tested... take care.

Harvist profile image
Harvist in reply tobennevisplace

He has a habit of announcing an "aspiration" as a triumph and then blaming the professionals for not achieving his unrealistic goals. Sow doubt and reap confusion.

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk in reply toHarvist

Exactly what I have been saying, promises without the means of fulfilling them.

bennevisplace profile image
bennevisplace in reply toHarvist

Yes, and "He" could be one of a number of suspects who shall remain nameless in the interests of political balance.

Annie1920 profile image
Annie1920 in reply toPeggy4

That's what I've done.. I too missed the early 3rd dose but I've kept a copy of the JCV edict to medics to pull out when my real boozer is due.. I'm expecting another battle to get the 4th jab

Shooey profile image
Shooey in reply toAnnie1920

Annie, I think when this finally settles down and we’ve all had our third shot we will definitely be joining you for your real boozer, can’ t wait!! 🍷

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk in reply toShooey

🤣

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk in reply toPeggy4

I was very relieved to have a phone call yesterday to go to the vaccination centre 'for my third primary, which is not the same as the booster'. At least that bit was sorted. Now I just wonder if it’s going to make any difference! I’m continuing to shield anyway.Chrisx

kel555 profile image
kel555 in reply tobennevisplace

thankyou for help in me ,,

kel555 profile image
kel555 in reply tobennevisplace

thankyou

Michaeljohn50 profile image
Michaeljohn50

See my post 4 days ago on the same topic. I found that the Patient Advisory service could and did help. Phone; 0300 561 0250.All the best

Michael

Annie1920 profile image
Annie1920 in reply toMichaeljohn50

Is that a national number or local to you? I had never heard of the Patient advisory service

Michaeljohn50 profile image
Michaeljohn50 in reply toAnnie1920

0300 numbers are national UK. I had not heard of the PAS until last Friday; it worked for me!

Annie1920 profile image
Annie1920 in reply toMichaeljohn50

No... You'd think someone might have mentioned it in passing along the way ☺️☺️ still we know now thanks to you

mrsjsmith profile image
mrsjsmith in reply toMichaeljohn50

Several years ago my GP suggested contacting PALS because I was having trouble with follow up ENT appointments ( they said I didn’t exist on their records ) a call to PALS and an appointment was arranged the next day. They should only be used for urgent problems and are there to try to stop problems escalating. They have access to all your records.

Colette

Fergusaims profile image
Fergusaims in reply toMichaeljohn50

Hi, I just called the 0300 number you provided. This is for the West Country area& the lady was surprised by the number of calls she was getting. Very helpful and got me the number for my CCG group, but this number shouldn't be used as a national number, as the poor lass won't be able to cope.

ornstin profile image
ornstin

I was wondering whether the Christie might be able to give you the third dose or (if not possible) at least help you in getting the third dose from your GP (maybe by phoning the GP surgery) or from another hospital? I say this because I am going to get my third dose shortly from the Royal Marsden in London. Antony

Strech51 profile image
Strech51

Hi. I had the same letter yesterday which was two weeks after I was given the 3rd primary jab. My GP's Surgery was on the ball and had found out what was needed. When I arrived for the jab there were four of us singled out from the others having a booster. We had a card stating " PFIZER 3rd Dose " and accompanied with a NHS leaflet " for people with weakened immune system ". Not sure if this is helpful but the code for the leaflet is COV20213DEN and see it online at healthpublications.gov.uk. Good luck

MickUK profile image
MickUK in reply toStrech51

The information in that leaflet is very clear. It is unbelievable that it has been so difficult for many eligible people to get the 3rd dose - disgraceful, in fact.

AnneHill profile image
AnneHill in reply toStrech51

I have an appointment for 3rd dose on Saturday. I had a text first with an explanation. My gp has got it right. I also had a letter from the nhs. It tells you that you cannot book on the nhs website or via 119. It says to ask for advice from your gp or consultant and to book through them. I had a date given me in the gp text. My last jab was April 21st. My gp has only had the vaccine recently. It was never going to be 8 weeks because the government have not long ago decided to give further jabs.Provided its a 3rd vaccine we will get a booster 6 months later. When I asked a few weeks ago the gp reception staff just said the booster was the same. They have got it right now. My consultant was going to write his report and remind them.

Dont forget to get a pneumonia booster every 5 years. My consultant was adding that to his letter. Anne uk

blowinginthewind profile image
blowinginthewind

I had my 3rd covid vaccine, along with a flu jab on Saturday morning. It was a covid vaccine, I haven't a clue whether or not it was a third dose or booster, and the doc who did it didnt seem to know, he said that people just came to the vaccine centre and were given a dose of covid vaccine, and offered a flu vaccine as well if they hadn't had theirs. To be honest, I don't think anyone knows. Not even Sajid Javid. If it helps me to avoid getting covid I decided that I don't really care.

AnneHill profile image
AnneHill in reply toblowinginthewind

The main thing is to get a booster in 6 months time. Your consultant can remind them.

Ironj profile image
Ironj

I waited 6 months then got a 3rd full shot. I asked is this a booster shot ? She said no this is the same shot as the first 2 you have already received.

I was thinking a booster shot was just a little kicker not a full shot. Anyway I did feel the effects of the 3 shot big time. The first 2 I had really no symptoms.

On another note I did get my shinglex vaccine and have had very bad vertigo to the point I can’t walk without bouncing off the walls. I did go to the ER and had a CTA scan done to rule out a stroke or any other sinister things , everything came back fine. But still in a bad way with this vertigo.

John

Newdawn profile image
NewdawnAdministrator

I’ve just had a text, followed by a letter telling me to book my 3rd vaccine. I went on the booking site and there’s only one session available for this and it’s this Sunday at a clinic a bit of a drive away. As I have a lingering cold and upper respiratory tract infection presently, I’ve no wish to load a third vaccine into the mix. However the number they gave me to book just keeps cutting me off! 🙄

Edit; just managed to ring the booking line and spoke to a clueless girl who sounded about 12. She doesn’t know if they’ll be further appts. She didn’t actually seem to know anything. Yes this whole business is officially a nightmare! 😡

Newdawn

Peggy4 profile image
Peggy4 in reply toNewdawn

Couldn’t agree more Newdawn. It’s horrid. Caused a lot of stress. I’ve just been met with blank looks and the assistant at the vaccination centre seemed to think that I was somewhat confused and was very condescending. I began to think I was!Peggy

kel555 profile image
kel555 in reply toNewdawn

thankyou newdawn

AnneHill profile image
AnneHill in reply toNewdawn

The letter tells you not to book through the nhs website but I was lucky my gp sent me a date. It had to be 6 months since the last jab but they are calling it the 3rd vaccine. Generally I have a good gp but it was a while before they understood it wasnt a booster. I hope you get the appointment you want, Anne uk

Newdawn profile image
NewdawnAdministrator in reply toAnneHill

If it has to be 6 months since the second jab, it’s the booster Anne. That’s what differentiates it from the third vaccine which we can have 8 weeks from last jab.

The link they’ve sent me has masses of booster dates but only third vaccine appointments for one day. I’m hoping they replace them every week.

Newdawn

mrsjsmith profile image
mrsjsmith in reply toNewdawn

Newdawn I was only offered two afternoons and when I complained they added a Saturday morning. I wouldn’t assume anything and you should chase up. Whether they added later times I don’t know

Colette

AnneHill profile image
AnneHill in reply toNewdawn

Thats the information they gave me originally. They seem to have updated but they are only just starting vaccinations. The date I have been given is just after the 6th month, 2 days, so I cant argue. Its this Saturday. The text I had gave me the correct information and I will get the booster in 6 months time. My consultant was putting details in his letter and I got the appointment after that. I am going to check that they now realise we dont have to wait 6 months. For other peoples sake. Anne uk

kel555 profile image
kel555

Thankyou all for your quick response ,YOU ARE ALL FANTASTIC,,,,,

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