Getting the 4th Covid Vaccine + Boosters for Household Teens

[MWxxxx]

Hi. Just wanted to share my recent experience in the hope it may help others. I have been trying to get my 17 year old's booster as she is a household contact to me. She had her 2nd vaccine in July so I was frustrated that I was having so many problems getting her booster. I finally got lucky by finding a clinic at my local hospital who took pity on me and agreed to vaccinate her. They were fantastic, even though they were set up only to vaccinate those at risk of serious allergies,they agreed to vaccinate her anyway as they knew how much at risk I am . Whilst we were there I spoke to them about my 4th vaccine which is not quite due (7th Jan) but I cannot book anywhere as they system keeps telling me that I do not need a vaccine.

They told me that the despite the 119 system not being set up for 4th doses, the information is not getting through to the GPs who should be sending people to walk in centres. We were also told that my daughter could have just gone to a walk in as well (as long as they were giving Pfizer as she's under 18). We were told that if people are eligible (ie. it has been 3 months since our last vaccine) then a walk in centre should not turn us away. Any problems, then we should ask to speak to the Clinical Lead as they will be aware of the rules. Most large vaccination centres also have a special waiting area for immunosuppressed people, so when you arrive you can speak to an official and you don't have to wait in a long queue with everyone else. My daughter got her vaccine at the hospital yesterday, but if I have not had an appointment sent to me by 7 Jan - I will be putting their advice to the test and going to a walk in centre. I hope that helps anyone who is due a booster and can't get one, or anyone who has an over 16 at home who needs their booster.

[Trocken]

Thank you fort his info, I’ve been struggling for weeks to get my 15 yr old her vaccine, finally managed to get someone to do it next week 🤦🏻‍♀️ My booster (4th vac) is due on xmas eve, I keep being told I’ll get a letter and will be able to book when I’m eligible, They don’t seem to get that I’m ahead of the wave by a few weeks as I work in the nhs (not even work will do it for me)! So im going to be putting your advise to the test, seems by far the most logical, thank you xx

[MWxxxx in reply to Trocken]

My 4th isn't due to the beginning of January but if I haven't been sent an appointment by then I will be going to a walk in. Despite the advice I was given I will still be going armed with lots of printouts from the NHS and blood cancer websites together with evidence that I'm immunosuppressed. I think the best way to handle it is expect to be challenged but know you are in the right and stick to your guns. Good luck.

[Moina-vdh]

Hi,You have managed very well. I didn’t even manage to get the second vaccine to my 17 year old until last week. I contacted my GP several times, but all I got was that they don’t deal with vaccines to under 18 year olds.

To make situation worse, my son finally got his vaccine last week, obviously too late, as at the end of the week he had been infected by Covid. Quite a difficult situation to handle.

Also, I really had to make a case with my GP to get my third jab, in the end only got it when boosters were due, and I’m now already dreading the battle for a booster.

[MWxxxx in reply to Moina-vdh]

Oh no, that is really bad luck. I feel so cross by the way some of us are being treated. I feel like it has been an uphill battle all the way and as soon as I get one vaccine sorted for one member of the household, I am then onto the next battle. I only got my 3rd primary dose when I received notification for my booster and now of course, my records are wrong. I do hope your son is ok and that you manage to stay safe from catching it yourself. I have pretty much given up relying on my GP. As soon as your 3 months are up and you're eligible for a booster, I would get yourself down to a walk in clinic armed with any evidence you have about your medical condition and try and get it that way. I hope you manage to get it sorted.