Third Jab

[EGPAGuy]

Amazingly I got my invite letter this morning for the third jab direct from NHS. No dates no numbers to call.. just speak with GP. My Gp has no vaccine or info. A local chemist is doing boosters and full doses tomorrow so going to get it there. Apparently the IT systems failed for people on CEV so we have got nothing..I got the letter so hopefully everyone will but seems onus is on us to find out how/where to get the vaccine. Shambles.

[Mooka]

It is indeed a shamble. My GP doesn’t want to know. I went to a drop in centre yesterday armed with my text message where Atilla the Hun told me I needed a letter. Got my letter today and it says the same as the text message does. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[EGPAGuy in reply to Mooka]

What I don't understand is how come a small local chemist can get vaccine, store and administer it, but a large local health centre cannot?

[Mooka in reply to EGPAGuy]

Mine is saying they are still catching up after doing the first and second jabs. They have told me to call 119 who can’t help or call another medical practice in the next town who are doing them but don’t have enough staff to answer the phone. Good luck getting yours.

[EGPAGuy in reply to Mooka]

What a farce. 119 is just an endless loop of unhelpfullness. Our local Boots is doing them as well..maybe yours is?

[Chris-Bromsgrove in reply to Mooka]

It is pretty disgraceful that you were eligible for the vaccine and your local drop in centre turned you away. I also received the NHS text and our local drop in centre was fine about it. The main thing they were interested in was whether it was six months since my second jab.

[Mooka in reply to Chris-Bromsgrove]

Hi Chris. I saw that you had got yours at a drop in centre, that and the fact that our local CCG said the drop in centres were doing them made me think I could get mine. I was pretty annoyed. It’s also disgraceful that the people sorting these out don’t seem to know the difference between the third vaccine and the booster.

[Mooka]

Thanks it’s worth a try.

[ElaineRH]

I too received the letter …. As you say no advice where to get it. Called the surgery and they are only doing boosters and told me they are the same as the third dose! I explained that the letters says that it’s different. Didn’t have a clue. I will contact the local pharmacy/chemist

[Mazzymoo123]

I had the same problem with Gp, consultant, 119 and everywhere else, they all kept saying booster after 6months!! I got really stressed out. Went to the local walk in vaccination centre, showed the text and they did it there and then. It shouldn't be this difficult to get. I wish you luck.

[EGPAGuy in reply to Mazzymoo123]

Yeah..I have been living in the world of it will get sorted when its time but I don't think this is being organised at all like last time. I could have got this done a while ago . Still will get it done this morning. I fear the third jab and booster will be down to individuals to sort for them selves whatever circumstances so uptake will be slow and we are heading for a crisis. My issue is that whilst work have been excellent I will have to show a face at office at some stage...its enough to deal with EGPA and work without stress of travelling into central London worried about vaccine efficacy. We have been thrown us to the wolves ..its clear that its every one for themselves and we assess our own risk and act accordingly which is tough for us all whilst trying to hold down a job. Health has to come first though. Will quit work if I have to travel on public transport every day into Central London.

[Mazzymoo123]

I just found it so stressful and frustrating. I felt all the departments I contacted thought I was deluded and I was made to feel like a liar, despite quoting JVCI information. It's bad enough living with the illness and associated problems, never mind this fiasco. I wish you luck.

[ludo]

I guess I've been lucky. I live in the North Cotswolds and I received a phone call last week inviting me for a third vaccination. She did ask if I was aware I was to have one and although I hadn't received a letter I said I thought I might be. I'm having it on Friday. The letter arrived yesterday! Good luck to everyone I hope you get your vaccine soon too.

[Webbyj]

I went online to book mine. It is 6 months since my last one. I was informed that I’m not eligible for it! So confusing. I will wait and see if I receive a text or a letter. No point trying to ring GP everything is done via e consult and then it’s a 6 week wait for a phone call! I might not bother with another covid vaccine anyway as I had a strange reaction to flu jab so not sure I want to have anything else.

[EGPAGuy in reply to Webbyj]

I know a lot of people (just older but not in CEV group) who have also not been able to get an appt for vaccine online as system keeps telling them they are not eligible even though its been 6 months since their 2 jab.

[Cally55]

Its a bit Alice in wonderland, if you are under 50 and CEV its a third dose. If you're over 50 its a booster. The vaccine nurse tells me that booster and third dose are exactly the same dose.So if like me you're over 50 and CEV you can call it either, but you can't have two.I was invited for mine 2 weeks ago, since then I've had a text and 2 letters from DHSC telling me I must have a third dose.

The shambles seems to originate with central government, which seems to be managing by the mushroom principle, keep you in the dark and drop s**t on you from time to time!

[EGPAGuy in reply to Cally55]

Just had it done. Whether booster or third jab makes no difference if its Pfizer. With Moderna its half a dose for booster and full dose for third jab. Its important that you log as third jab since we will get another in 6 months..will be even more of a shambles by then. Our local chemist is doing them. GP practice have no information.. you cant book through national website since its broke and 119 will send you in an endless loop of IVR. My advice is go to a drop in centre as soon as yiu get a letter or find a local chemist. Boots are also doing them at quite a lot of branches.

[Borderblue]

Yes I’ve also had the letter and text but they both say contact your GP or consultant. I’ve done both but still awaiting a letter to take to a centre or chemist to confirm I am eligible. Staff at surgery, nurses/receptionist mainly keep saying it’s a booster, fed up of explaining. The only option I can see if I don’t hear soon, is make appointment at local chemist with OH when he goes for booster and then ask for 3rd jab🤷‍♀️It’s a joke really how badly it’s been organised.

[Investigator1]

Get this! I got the letter, contacted GP Practice who said wait to be invited or contact 119. I contacted 119 went through this endless tunnel of possibilities, got to speak to somebody (finally) gave them my NHS number, then gave them the date of my last jab (21st April) and they said great we can book you in, I said fantastic! But they then said you will have to ring back on Thursday morning as that’s the 21st and exactly 6 months. I said we can I book it now for on or after the 21st, they said no, the system won’t do that. Agghhhh!

[chrisj]

I dont think its a shambles at all. I checked online to book following a letter but the bookings were for NHS staff, care staff and the like, they take priority.

If we had a car and coud get get around as most people do we could look further afield my son and me, but he's partially sighted and I never learned to drive. So I'm waiting for a call or a text from my gp and I'm happy to wait. When I spoke to a nurse after a flu vaccination this month she said as soon as the covid vaccines arrive we'll be notified. We've done extremely well over here for vaccinations and I for one am very grateful...and happy to wait.

[Guccibee]

I got letter and told when and where to go. I live in South Wales.