Vaccine third dose experience!

[Maythyme]

Hi I’m a regular visitor here but I think this my first post! I have essential thrombocythaemia and am a patient of Haematology at Bedford Hospital (who I must say are excellent).

However, I thought people might be interested in my experience of trying to obtain a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.

I received a letter from Bedford Hospital advising me that I was entitled to receive a third vaccine — not a booster — and that this could be administered from eight weeks after the second dose. The letter provided a link to an NHS webpage providing details of local ‘walk-in’ centres. It said also that the letter should be taken along as proof of my eligibility. I checked the webpage and found a centre at Bedford, about a 20 minute drive away, administered by Smarta Healthcare. I duly attended today.

I did also check beforehand to see if I could book online only to be told I was not eligible, in spite of what the letter said.

The location was emblazoned with signs stating ‘Walk in Centre’. I presented my letter to the girl booking people in. She asked if I had an appointment. I said no because the letter had advised me to attend a walk-in centre. She replied that they weren’t doing any walk-in appointments due to a shortage of vaccines! I told her that I was sorry but I had done exactly what the letter had told me to do and I expected to be seen. She persisted so I asked to speak to the person running the centre. She reluctantly went to the (one) room where the vaccinations were being done and returned with a woman who presented herself as the person in charge. She said that they had experienced a busy weekend and were short of vaccines. I repeated what I had said about following the instructions to the letter. She then said she could give me a call later if there was any spare vaccine. I pointed out I had come distance and could not return. At that point she agreed to fit me in. Battle won I thought…

I was quickly called in where the same woman was at the computer and a surly nurse was administering the vaccines. The nurse looked at the computer and immediately said you are not eligible for a vaccine as it’s not 180 days since the last one. ‘Oh yes I am’ I said and advised her to read the letter. She grudgingly finally agreed and gave me my jab — Pfizer. She advised me that I would need a further full dose in three months which would have to be Pfizer.

All in all a rather stressful experience but I’m glad I stood my ground. Sorry for rambling on but I had to get it off my chest! Thanks for your patience.

I’m thinking of making a complaint but not sure who it should be directed to. The letter referenced Haematology but didn’t seem to actually have come from them.

[mhos61]

Good for you for standing your ground.

[ET500]

How frustrating… it is so hard when we are being told one thing and those who can help us aren’t being told the same thing or told nothing. Glad you got your jab. Like you had to phone around for it myself, though when getting to vaccine centre they didn’t have my details but were very pleasant and after the standard details put me straight through. Different experiences for everyone . Maybe if the Government and NHS could try and get on same page. No point saying go get vaccine regardless of letter if there isn’t enough in your area. In Scotland (Grampian)we having been asking for army help as NHS taken vaccines out of GPs hands , the request has been stuck on the Scottish Governments desk for over a week and has never got to the Ministry Defence (reported in news). Sometimes it is far more efficient if your area GPs deal with things , when smaller numbers(villages) as they have a personal contact with the people and get through things much quicker. God luck to those still waiting. I didn’t have any reaction and felt fine afterwards..

[welshhuw]

Just goes to prove that persistence pays off…… well done you !

[MCW22]

It took me several weeks of fighting to get my letter. It still wouldn't have happened had I not asked the ccg to intervene as my gp and consultant would not provide a letter. Finally had the jab this morning and they hardly even looked at the letter.

Carol

[lizzziep]

Well done for standing your ground! 👏👏👏

[Maythyme]

Many thanks for all your replies!

I had AZ for my first two doses with very little negative effects. This time I’ve had Pfizer, my arm has been quite tender and I’ve felt quite tired today but having said that nothing horrendous in terms of side effects. Others I have spoken to seem to have had similar experiences.

Anyway, pleased to have got it done, even if it was a bit of a battle!

[azaelea]

I am puzzled as my NHS letter stated that the 3 rd dose could not be done until 6 months after the 2nd dose. Your hospital letter appears to have said 8 weeks after. Anyway, glad you got it done and I had mine too at beginning of October which was well after 2nd one in March. Regards Fran

[Plavers]

Well done! Crazy how some officious people get power mad! I’m still puzzled as to the difference between the ‘booster’ and the third primary jab that people talk about here. What is the difference? I’ve had a third jab which was Phizer and the same as the one, so will I need another booster?

[Maythyme in reply to Plavers]

I was told I will need another jab in three months and it must be Pfizer. I too am confused about the difference between a third dose and a booster. I think it may depend upon which vaccine you have. In some cases the third dose and booster are the same but with others they are not, but I could’ve wrong!