Covid Booster - For Info

[Investigator1]

Hi all. Just to let you know I had my 8th Covid Jab yesterday (6 Pfizer and 2 Moderna so far, yesterday was Pfizer), managed to book appointment using the app no problem but what I did notice was 2 things.

A/ Much less choice of vaccination centre, I ended up driving 23 miles.

B/ More stringent checks to demonstrate CEV.

Now the above could have been due to my locality in the Yorkshire Dales. I drove over to the Dark Side (Teeside) and chose the best and quickest route. As far as the check of CEV was concerned I telephoned my consultants secretary last week as asked if I could have a copy of my latest report that detailed my last Rituximab infusion. I contacted my GP first because they have a copy of that letter from my consultant but they were totally unhelpful. Anyway the Nurse administering the jab asked if I was immune suppressed and asked for documentary evidence. The letter didn’t say I was but it did show my treatment. She took it away, consulted with someone and I got it done.

As I say it may be a local thing but best be prepared.

Nick

[May7]

Hello Nick, it's not just Yorkshire that have very few centres for our extra boosters, same here in Northamptonshire. The nearest bookable place was in the middle of nowhere, twenty something miles away, so I checked the Walk-ins. The nearest was a pharmacy in town with what looked like difficult parking, and I can't walk far these days. So I chose the next one, which was at a golf club on the other side of town, and easy to get to. They were open on Friday, so I went along. Having failed to read the details online properly, I didn't notice that it was a pop-up, so was disappointed to find that I had to join a queue outside in the cold, with rain threatening. I find it painful to stand for long, and would estimate that I spent roughly 20 minutes standing in line outside, and less than 20 minutes on a seat in the tent, before entering the van for my jab. It started to rain while I sat in the tent, and people arriving then were told to fill their details in, in their cars. All the people running it were very nice and helpful, and one of them filled my clipboard in for me because while leaning on a stick I only had one hand free. They asked all the usual questions, but didn't need any further evidence of my condition, presumably because I showed my prescription for immunosuppressives. It took me a long time to warm up again. I really don't understand why the NHS can't borrow a room in community centres for these jabs, after all we are all vulnerable in some way. The man behind me in the queue was 93 for instance. Oh well, it's done now.

[Investigator1 in reply to May7]

Hi May7, blimey bit of an ordeal, I had mine in a little village everybody knew I wasn’t from the village and obviously I am only 61 I stood out like a sore thumb, it was a bit like “The Midwich Cuckoos. I am sure they were a lovely community in reality. I expected to see the sign, “Local Vaccinations for Local People” but I didn’t. Funny though.

[Bluey-1]

I had mine yesterday (in the Midlands) at a local pharmacy. I took my medical file. The pharmacist listened to my explanation of the drugs I was taking and sympathised with my situation- lovely guy and went through the vaccination I’d be having, VidPrevtyn. His assistant (nurse? Not sure) did the jab painlessly. I have a little soreness at the site today but so far no other reaction.

[Investigator1 in reply to Bluey-1]

Hi Bluey-1 . That was nice. Pleased you had a trouble free event.

[Main1234]

hi Nick

My OH had his on Friday lots of availability locally West Midlands. He had take a letter from his consultant but was informed all on screen.

Usually reaction for him day in bed and general fatigue.

Have to say in the West Midlands appear to have a relatively good system.

Best wishes