I feel like Mike Tyson at this point, so sick of going 3 rounds with people about vaccines. Personnel not knowing the NHS guidance is one thing, but insisting she is right when she say it's 6 months from a person's 3rd primary vaccine to booster was enough to set me off. I know I don't have the right to be angry but I am tired of having to fight to get the vaccines I'm due. Being CEV, seems to put you at a disadvantage when it comes to vaccines, that's been my experience anyway. If you are a fit young 18 or above year old, no problem, come in and get your booster no questions asked.
Anyway so I went along to the vax center this morning, armed with my ID my GP letter which was for my 3rd primary dose, as NHS site says that what you can present your previous letter to get your booster after 3 months(had this NHS page open on my phone ready to show reception if needed, and yes I needed)
The person at reception of the vax center insisted I had to wait 6 months, and I insisted that wasn't the case, so eventually after some back and forth I asked to see the person supervising the days events. The lady went off and came back and said...."Well it is 6 months but also 3 months, so you can have it" which obv makes no sense. She was too proud to admit she was wrong all along so made up that it's 3 or 6 months to try and save face. I wasn't going to rub it in so just let it go and went in to get the vaccine I was due.
It would have been easy for me to call my GP, get a phone call, and another fresh letter, but I didn't want to bother my GP, he has enough on his plate. So I thought I'd handle it myself. It was a major wind-up and frustrating, but I got there in the end.
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Deminem
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It's unbelievable that people working at vaccine sites are still not trained up with the latest guidance (which is two months old now). Wonder how many people are not getting the correct doses? Glad you stuck it out!
Had booster before I realised it should have been my 3rd primary. Spoke to GP who hadn't a clue about this. Told to speak to practice manager. Tried to make an appointment with them. Need to send an email which I did last Wednesday. Did receive a reply and would speak to GP not heard a thing since. If not heard anything by Thursday I will pop into the surgery as I have a breast screening appointment and is next to my GP.
I have a rheumatology appointment next week so if not heard by then will talk to them and ask them to put in letter to GP.
I had the same experience when I first phoned 119 the operative insisted it was 6 months after 3rd primary. Subsequent phone call to 119 I was told to phone GP although our GPs have nothing to do with vaccinations . GP receptionist had never heard of 3 primary vaccinations followed by booster(but wouldn’t expect her to as they don’t carry out vaccinations). Following her advice I phoned my rheumatology consultant’s secretary and he understood exactly what the problem is and is sending me a letter to present at vaccination centre. It’s been a bit of a palaver but hopefully all will plain sailing from now😊
Sounds like you put in the effort too, so you should be ok on vax day no thanks to system running the show. I went through the same with 119. Still waiting for a call back from them to change the status from booster to 3rd primary. Been waiting for over 2 weeks for that to happen, but soon as I became eligible I went to walk in so don't care if they call or not anymore.
My third dose was recorded as a booster too so I fully expect to have a fight on my hands when my booster's due as well. The vaccination centre session I attended was only supposed to be for third doses so you'd have thought getting the right dose on the NHS app should have been simple.
Good for you Deminem. Sock it to 'em. You get sick of fighting for things you are entitled to because the people who should already know can't be bothered even when it's their job to know.
Thanks all for your support, good job we all have each other here to give our tips, help, and experiences. The moral of my story be prepped and stand your ground if you know you are in the right, and the opposition will have to concede if you back yourself with the data.
I felt bad that I must have been holding up the cue of ppl outside waiting as this conflab went on for 10 minutes. I knew It wasn't going to be a smooth experience. I took my driver's license to have a photo ID that matched the name on the letter I had, plus pages on my phone of NHS site guidance. If I hadn't asked to see the person supervising that day after being told I'm not entitled to my booster for 10 minutes then I would have had to leave then, only to fight another day, and as I said I'm sick of this fight now. I hope me duking it out that day will make it easier for the next CEV who goes there, even if It meant holding up the cue for those directly behind me.
Well done!I still have to do this as my booster would already have been due but am feeling so rubbish at the moment (still desperately sick at 17 weeks pregnant) but will try and brave this next week especially as kids are going back to school/nursery next week which I am absolutely dreading. As well as commenting to a clinical job in the NHS for me 🙈. Unfortunately rheumatology only ever sent me a text message not an official letter 🙈.
Anyway sit back and enjoy the side effects knowing you won and will be a bit more protected against covid 🤣 👍🏻 🏆 💉
Oh dear you do have a lot on your plate and feeling ruff doesn't help, but getting the vax is hopefully near the top of things to do. I do hope I haven't put you or others off trying to get your vax. Not everyone has had to try as hard, some ppl just walked in and got it. Fingers crossed it'll be easy for you, maybe the text you had is enough. Hang in there, you can do this!
More good news, no side effects at all this time. I had 2 AZ vaccines and 2 Pfizer altogether now. The first 3 gave me terrible month-long side effects from the off. But the last(Pfizer booster)nothing bad, feeling normal, so far so good which is a real result!
No not at all, you are motivating me to get it sorted next week - hopefully! Also going to start chasing the vaccines for my two eldest who are 5 and 9 and should presumably now be offered a vaccine as a household member of an immunosuppressed family member. Although I read somewhere that the delivery of the paediatric dose to the U.K. has been delayed 🙄
Finally received a letter dated 14th December from the hospital I see the rheumatologist at. They have a small vaccination centre for hospital patients that are vulnerable and booked me in for next Thursday 👍🏻 now fingers crossed no positive test between now and then!!Hope you have remained side effect free!!
Still no side effects from my 2nd Pfizer, well apart from a slight tenderness at the injection site if I press on it, but I don't think that's anything to write home about.
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Booster or 3rd Primary - if only!
Had my rheumy appointment. 
Covid booster after 3rd primary vaccine.
Getting booster after 3rd primary
