Perplexed: I am lucky in that I... - Positive Wellbein...

Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

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Perplexed

focused1 profile image
focused1Reading Rabbits
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I am lucky in that I received a letter yesterday saying I could book an appointment for my first Covid jab on line . The list came up of available venues . The nearest offered is at a

conference centre deep in the countryside in the middle of nowhere and as I could book for the second jab at the same time another strange list of different venues came up , one at a chemist in the centre of Manchester which would mean public transport . 2 minutes away from me is a massive testing centre but on phoning my GP surgery trying to get answers I got a recorded message saying the line was for patient appointments at their surgery only .

Has anyone else encountered a weird list where everywhere is such an effort to get to and knows that locally there are centres available ?

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Reading Rabbits
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Seems a bit crackers doesn't it focused1, but I suspect it's the good old algorithm at work again, in which it decides the last logical step is to send you information about the centre which has the first appointment rather than the most convenient!

Niao profile image
Niao

Sorry I haven’t, but I do hope you get sorted soon. What a confusing situation! Xxx

happytulip profile image
happytulip

Yes, I was told that big vaccination centres can get through more patients which frees up GPs to see non covid related patients. In some areas the GPS are in charge of vaccination programmes but in others the local health authority have taken over the job which has meant that the GPs have been over-ruled. It's a bit of a postcode lottery.

It isn't helpful when the vaccination centre is miles away and you can't get there or if you are shielded and need to take public transportation.

Some GPs are able to get the community nurses to come out and vaccinate you. This is what is likely to happen with me when I'm well enough for the jab (fingers crossed). I hope you can get yours soon.

focused1 profile image
focused1Reading Rabbits in reply to happytulip

I have booked for next Wednesday but this trip is very inconvenient as miles away in the middle of nowhere . I can walk to my nearest large centre especially set up in a Rugby club in 3 mins . Never mind I am fortunate to be making a start on this . Hopefully when I book again there has got be be more open as can't even book this remote one again .

I totally agree with Hidden as I also got my letter yesterday and the nearest was 34.5 miles away. I phoned the number given on the letter and she said try again in a day or so as they'd sent out a lit of letters. Both appointments booked today and they are both in my city about 20 minutes drive away.

Rachel357 profile image
Rachel357 in reply to

The same has happened to me. Did you have to keep checking the website for the locations to be updated to ones closer to you?

focused1 profile image
focused1Reading Rabbits in reply to Rachel357

I have accepted appointment in middle of nowhere as I want the vaccine and don't want to delay . I have not booked the second which I am advised to do . I will have weekly visits to the site and see if there are closer venues . The miles given to travel to them from my home are totally wrong . Might be as the crow flies ?

in reply to Rachel357

Yes I did, they said they've sent out a lot of letters hence places getting booked up quickly

in reply to

That sounds much better Alicia!

in reply to

Thank you Sue, it really is🙏🙏

Sarahvit profile image
Sarahvit

I can’t answer this question for the UK but my experience here in the US was similar. Different locations offering the vaccine but the VAMS site only had an appointment a couple months out. So I signed up for that at doctors care practice. But my sister who is networking savvy and has connections was able to get me in at an earlier time. So I have received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Here they just opened up to essential workers and high risk patients with pre existing conditions. So that begins Monday and that would include my son and husband. I would suggest calling around to the local pharmacy’s (chemists) and doctor’s offices to find one that works best for you to get your vaccine.

socratesanne profile image
socratesanne

Yes, I mentioned this last week but was criticized for the thoughts. It hurt my fragile feelings as if I was not being realistic. Some of the responses corroborated my similiar issues but the one that complained that this could not possibly be true, seemed to hurt. It is not a time to be rejected by innuendoes as my skin has become thin both due to age but mainly due to feelings of rejection which is common on here. Guess I just do not have thick skin anymore.

Since I accessed this forum and I am even more unable to move forward with pursuits to get the help needed here without consequences to my morale. Have spent my life not abandoning or rejecting others, perhaps to my deficit. Need to guard myself on here as it affects my wounded spirit even more. Not a time to get a shot with thin skin, I say humorously. Since is it not available in my area or at my clinic, it will give me time to thicken up my skin. Hope you all are safe and well protected wherever you live. Wish you all the very best,

This wonderful sun has great healing powers for me. I avoid toxic words meant to undermine. This is how many of us grew up. Am envious of those who had a great childhood. I resent my deficit but work hard to help people heal from adversed childhood experiences. Rejecting people when they speak is not acceptable.

I find on this forum it seems to happen a small percentage but for some reason, those unkind innuendos hurt and sabotage all the kind words others generously give.

Thanks to all of you who are generous. Wish you to continue to help those of us who do have thin skin and not well fortified in heavy quarantine due to the Covid and lost souls in ones life.

Socializing is great but no face to face contact is detrimental to my soul. Even Zoom is counter productive without skilled endeavors. Still no human interaction with face to face socialization and physical reciprocity..

I think the shot is a mere way to keep us from hope to reconnect that face to face journey. If these sites and zoom meetings are to provide that hope it is failing for me. Perhaps due to no fault of my own but this is the state of the new world. Simply do not seem to fit in this new world. So I will keep doing what I can for others. When I cannot anymore, I will simply quit trying.

focused1 profile image
focused1Reading Rabbits in reply to socratesanne

Covid has changed all our lives . Initially I loved the tranquility of empty streets and half the time to travel on quiet roads but it didn’t last long . I used to be very self centred but a Mum to 5 boys soon stopped that . It is hard to always kind of play second fiddle but it has had such rewards for me . If my family is happy so am I .That extra mile of strides and steps actually gives me gratification. Take a positive from helping people . When I am no longer wanted and needed then I guess that’s when I will pay more attention to my needs . Helping others isn’t a bad thing . Why do they come to you ? -because you have that something about you .

Cavapoochonowner profile image
Cavapoochonowner

Hello, my families experience has been this.If we are telephoned by our local GP ie we are on their list we can go to our local hall which is just a 20 minute walk away.My son who has just been put on shielding received a government letter and went on line to book so was directed to the larger vaccination centres.He wanted one asap and the one 20 minutes away by car was full so for the first one he travelled 17 miles away.The second one he has managed to book the nearer one.He was told he could wait to be called by his GP and would therefore have gone to our local hall but he wanted it asap so was prepared and able to travel.I also don't know if it makes a difference which jab you have.My husband who works for the NHS went to a hospital for his Pfizer vaccine but some colleagues who chose to be vaccinated locally had the oxford one.I'm sure there is a method here.I have been called for mine( a phone call from my GP list) and I am going to my local hall this Saturday.It can't come soon enough for my family.We have been shielding for almost a year due to my eldest son , I have health problems, my husband works for the NHS and my second son has just been put on shielding.My 27 year old daughter would have the vaccine tomorrow if she could.She had covid last march and was the very poorly for about 3 weeks( not needing to be hospitslised thank goodness)She has no health problems otherwise but is worried about going back to work on the bus and getting it again.Just a bit about our vaccination experience for anyone interested.Best wishes to all.

focused1 profile image
focused1Reading Rabbits in reply to Cavapoochonowner

Thanks for this . I have realised I am fortunate to have been called . The stories on here have made me think if I have to travel to get a free and vital vaccine then so be it

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