GP sending 3rd jab invites by text

[Choccy8]

So I was at the GPs yesterday and thought I'd ask again about the 3rd jab. I'd asked around three weeks before, and been told to wait to be contacted. On asking this time, I was told the invites had all been sent out by text- in my case, to a phone I don't use anymore. I'd been expecting a letter - a text seems a little bit hit and miss for something important

[Cowsaresweet]

I think the issue is cost. Sending a text can be automated, and is low cost. Letters need people and cost more. When the budget is incredibly tight managers have to make difficult decisions. Hope you get yours ok.

[Choccy8 in reply to Cowsaresweet]

Thanks! Yes, I do appreciate the cost involved. I suppose it would just be good to know what I need to look out for. As I said below in response to Cowhide, usually they make contact by letter or phone. I was caught out as I didn’t realise they'd got the number.

[SecondLife]

I received mine by text, spoke to the hospital as I am due for a hip replacement on the 23 October, they told me to try and get it during this past week. I duly rang the number given as our surgery is not taking part in the booster sessions, only to be told that I am not eligible

[Choccy8 in reply to SecondLife]

Have you queried that with your Rheumatology people? Going by what Paul posted on the Lupus UK website, it sounded like most of us would be eligible. Hope you have some success. I've been reading Barnclown's reply on Paul Howard's post about all the trouble she's had trying to get it. It does seem that the NHS isn't very clued-up on this.

[SecondLife in reply to Choccy8]

I did try the Rheumy nurses but as no one has come back to me this week it is too late now as it had to be 2 weeks before surgery

[cowhide]

hope you get your jab OK, but you can't really blame the messenger - it's your responsibility to make sure that your GP surgery has your up to date contact details, they are not psychic! I assume you have updated your number with them now. I get loads of text messages from both primary and secondary care, including appointment reminders and vaccine invitations.

[Choccy8 in reply to cowhide]

Yes, I got caught out as I didn’t even realise they had the number. They seem to send letters or phone calls for most things, and the previous vaccination invites were letters.

[Poshcards]

mine came by text xx