Following the advice last week to get a third vaccine was wondering if anybody else is encountering problems. I have been turned away from my surgery, even though the letter is headed "For the attention of GP practices". The local vaccination centre wants proof that I need this vaccine so I contacted my haematology dept and the response was what's all the fuss about, over 50s are getting a vaccine anyway which is OK I'm over 50 but it's my understanding is that over 50s are getting a booster and not a 3rd vaccine.
Nobody will read the letters properly.
Am thinking blood cancer UK should contact the professionals themselves.
I live in Wales.
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JP1952
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Hello, I also live in Wales. I’m in Vale of Glamorgan/Cardiff. I have just spoken to my GP who isn’t offering vaccines so I was directed to the vaccine booking line and they’ve booked me in for tomorrow. Going directly to your local vaccine booking line might get you a quicker, less frustrating response. I was told that they’re only offering Pfizer currently too which is good. I hope you get it sorted! Good luck 🤞🏼
Thank you, yes I did contact the vaccination centre and it was them requesting confirmation from my haematologist.. I don't feel as if I have the energy for it all at the moment and I don't want to get anxious about it. I guess I"ll get it eventually.
I sent an e mail enclosing the letters from Mpn and blood cancer and the practice manager has rang me to say they have no knowledge of a third vaccine but booked us in for a booster which is Phizer on Saturday. I asked her to make a note for a booster in six months time but she said they couldn’t do that I think I will meet that problem in 6 months when hopefully the NHS and government will have sorted it out.
I received a text from Guys/St Thomas advising me to book for the 3rd vaccine. It was easy to arrange and I got it a few days later. Soon after that I received a letter from my GP also telling me that I needed to have the 3rd vaccine and to book at the Surgery for it. 😳
Yes, banging my head against a brick wall. Gp surgery says they don't do the vaccinations, despite the fact that I had the first two there. Basically they just don't want the extra work and hassle. I don't have a printer so can't print out any of the letters online. I rang blood cancer UK and they agreed to post me a copy to take to a vaccination centre. I was told not to accept the moderna vaccine as that is only a half dose.
The Welsh health service, you can't call it the Welsh NHS as it is totally controlled by the Welsh devolved government. Is not bothered at all, it doesn't care if patients live or die. Actually I believe (the Welsh government) would rather people that cause any inconvenience and monetary cost would in fact disappear.
I tried last night to book 3rd dose through the nhs line, after 20 mins on the phone I got really flustered and struggling to make sense my daughter took the phone. Another 10 mins later the person we had been talking to said I'm not eligible for it . Even though he said he checked to see if MPN VOICE was an actual website he said to wait until after my birthday, I turn 50 on the 22nd of this month. Reluctant to call GP as they have made a big point of saying do not call them regarding vaccinations.
Yes, it seems ridiculous that the government and NHS are promoting and encouraging the population to get vaccinated and we are being denied. My daughter received her 2nd dose at a walk-in centre at London weeks before her allocated age group and my teenage grand daughter got hers at a musical festival.
I have given up and am going to wait for my call. Even though I am a strong person I felt quite battered after my visit to the GP surgery, the staff were dismissive and disdainful.
Everyone in our house has had the jabs my other half received his early because of where he works , my eldest daughter got hers early because I was classed as extremely volunrable, my youngest daughter came under the 18 y age group luckily received 2nd jab before she went off to uni, and my son came under the 16y age group and has only received 1 dose and was told he would only get 2nd dose when and if I get the 3rd dose.I will attempt to ring GP s later to see if I have any joy there otherwise I have a telephone appointment next week with consultant so I will ask her .
I was told by nurse that the 3rd dose is a booster just like the second dose, you have the same amount for all 3. I just had a text from GP asking me to book an appointment and had mine a few days later.
Hi JPInterestingly, I had my appointment with Prof. Harrison yesterday. She asked me about the vaccine, and whether I had been offered it. She said that as long as there is two weeks between the flu jab and vaccine, then all is well. She told me to download the MPN letter on the website and call my nearest giver, and arrange it direct. I am about to try to do this, as we did'nt get home until late last night. This covid vaccination would be a third and not replace the booster; and she was clear on this.
What a relief it was to have my appointment with Prof. H and have 'a plan'. I have been very down since my diagnosis 15 months ago, and not really had a good discussion with my local haematologist, as she just listens and does not reply!!!!
Feeling a lot better about my MF and all that goes with it - I am confident that I now have someone to turn to.....
Have you spoken to your Consultant regarding this? or his secretary, they should be able to shed some light.
Good Luck.
Third Doses v Boosters JCVI published the protocol on 01/09/21 and NHS England published on 02/09/21, but it took until 21/09/21 before NHS Scotland published. All were very clear that this is a Third Dose for the immunocompromised so this includes all Blood Cancer sufferers. But as we have all discovered it sometimes takes great effort to convince our GPs and their admin staff to accept this and add us to the Shielding list that may - or apparently not - help identify us as immunocompromised... (and remember our conditions were designated by the WHO as Blood Cancers as long ago as 2008 !!!!!)
The Booster programme for all over 50s is separate but is happening simultaneously and many have become confused about it - including my GP Surgery that has repeatedly referred to my request for the Third Dose as a Booster.
Third Dose recipients will possibly/probably get a Booster once our antibody response has been assessed. Booster Moderna doses are apparently half strength and should not be accepted as Third Dose.
After much nagging with the Surgery I was directed to the Regional co-ordinator (dg.covidenquiries@nhs.scot) and after further nagging I now have a Third Dose appointment at which I will almost certainly also receive an Influenza Vaccine dose - and today I have a letter appointing me for another Flu Jag at the same location on the following day!.
Phrases involving Left Hands and Right Hands spring to mind
I think I must be one of the luckier ones. I had my haematology phone appointment last Friday, with no mention of the jab, 5 minutes after the call ended someone from a different local hospital phoned to arrange an appointment for my jab. I could have had it on the Saturday, but couldn’t attend, I had a choice of 3 hospitals, so now booked in. Good luck to those who are having problems getting an appointment.
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