I don't think the systems are particularly well integrated. I got a text invite from my GP approximately five days after I booked on the national online system. It wasn't a big deal, I just ignored the local invite and went ahead with the booking I'd already made. Or, based on the flu jab texts I received after I'd been vaccinated at Boots weeks before, they simply don't bother to sort properly at local - my local - level. It may be different where you are.
I'm not sure you'll be able to book just the second jab online via the website which is set up to book both the first and second jabs in a single session, but you can - I think - also book using the phone by calling 119, in which case you can presumably explain what you're trying to do.
will they know my first jab and medical details if I go the NHS route.
Yes. (Well, maybe). Mrs Dubs got her first vaccine from a centre that we’re giving out “extras” to key workers (uptake in Hounslow borough is not great).
She booked second jab via NHS site and it gave her a date 12 weeks after her first one.
The system isn’t perfect, which isn’t surprising when you are trying to vaccinate 50 million people.
I waited patiently to ‘get the call’ once I turned 50 but as far as the NHS was concerned I was still 49, my surgery (a vaccine hub) couldn’t offer any help or advice.
I finally had my jab days after the fanfare announcement of all over 50’s being offered a jab which was obviously a PR lie.
Had to go to a special walk-in for groups 1-9 at St Thomas’s hospital which I only found out about by chance.
I also only found out by logging in to the NHS that my second appointment had been cancelled!? So I rebooked at a pharmacy down the road. No text or letter telling me to rebook.
I got a letter today offering me a covid vaccination.
Still no text from my surgery.
There’s loads of people with a similar experience.
Clinic = disused office building
Clinic is the function it serves not the architects vision.
Yes they asked so I asked if they meant IgE mediated only to which the nice bloke who’d taken an interest in my cycling t-shirt said he didn’t know what immunoglobulin was.
What was the point on discussing the IgE mediated unless either (a) you were genuinely concerned or (b) you were trying to prove your intellect to the guy admiring your t-shirt? There is a healthcare professional overseeing every vaccination centre - did you not think to ask to discuss with them given the "receptionist" did not know enough to answer your question?
I told him about the anti-biotic and said it would be best to check it on my medical records then he told me he didn’t have access to them.
Frankly I'd be greatly reassured that any random person in a vaccine clinic doesn't have access to my medical records. In fact, frankly, I'd be absolutely staggered if they did have access to them given (a) the state of the NHS IT infrastructure (b) that vaccine centres/clinics were pulled together at record speed and GP<-->Hospital sharing seems to mostly still be on paper or email rather than a central system.
I started to wonder how I’d got this invite and why? I knew I wasn’t in the age range being vaccinated so it must be another reason so I asked and got told they didn’t have access to that information either.
But you do suffer from a significant immune condition? It surely wasn't a surprise that you were in one of the "earlier" vaccination groups than your age?
I’d been given the literature 15 mins ? earlier … the GP is closed (8pm) so I can’t even try and find out and I’m told “its up to you if you have it or not”
And yet you proceeded, had no major ill effects and are here weeks later saying the system is broken... ...meanwhile everyone else in the country is admiring the efficacy of rolling out the programme and mostly getting the vaccines/invites to the right people. So it could be you are the only one who sees the real problem - or it could be you have an inability to admit you might be wrong/over reacting.
She booked the emergency examination/biopsy as a precaution due to possible (Covid) delays then after the email for the negative stool she texted me at 10pm at night to urge me to get an appointment ASAP.
So perhaps you can see why I’d take a “text from my GP” as being “a text from my GP”.
You think your GP was tapping out personal text messages to patients at 10pm at night?
I don’t know how people manage to live their lives when they make small things so unbelievably complex for themselves.
Get text. But unsure if genuine.
Ring docs - “have you just texted me about the vaccine?”
“Yes we have”
“Thanks”
Book vaccine appointment via link in text.
Add in this subroutine if needed:
“I Have XXXX wrong with me, should I still get the vaccine?”
“Don’t know, I’ll book an appointment with the doc for you so you can discuss it”
“Thanks”
Have appointment. Make decision.
I don’t know how people manage to live their lives when they make small things so unbelievably complex for themselves.
It can be difficult. I basically had to give up a job I otherwise enjoyed and my everyday life is also impacted by anxiety.
What was the point on discussing the IgE mediated
Um, because I have had adverse IgA and IgG reactions to excipients used in pharmaceuticals.
Because this adverse reaction sends my immune system into a state non conducive to then picking up a pathogen
did you not think to ask to discuss with them given the “receptionist” did not know enough to answer your question?
Perhaps it would have helped if the "receptionist" was presented as a "receptionist" and someone had informed me that a person with basic knowledge of biology was present...
you were trying to prove your intellect to the guy admiring your t-shirt?
I was told to wait then I'd see a person who would check everything was OK to go ahead (or something).. what I didn't expect was someone lacking the most basic knowledge of biology (as in less than mine)
And yet you proceeded, had no major ill effects and are here weeks later saying the system is broken
That is a logical fallacy.
Its like saying that since the traffic lights have failed but you managed to get through without incident nothing is wrong.
My GP who knows my medical history was concerned and wanted to look into this and consult my RI last time I saw her.
What I expected was for her not to be bypassed by some "receptionist"/ admin person and that person be unable to tell me if my GP had recommended this specific vaccine or not.
Frankly I’d be greatly reassured that any random person in a vaccine clinic doesn’t have access to my medical records.
This is the same point as above ... I expect my GP or RI who have knowledge of my medical history be be deciding and advising me not someone without even the most basic knowledge of the human immune system.
meanwhile everyone else in the country is admiring the efficacy of rolling out the programme and mostly getting the vaccines/invites to the right people. So it could be you are the only one who sees the real problem – or it could be you have an inability to admit you might be wrong/over reacting.
Except it's not EVERYBODY.. just like last year many people were admiring the efficiency of discharging pensioners with Covid to nursing homes without even basic PPE and the efficiency of not reporting pensioners deaths in care homes in Pillar 1 masking the deaths.
I don’t think the systems are particularly well integrated.
i got a call from my GP on Saturday, booked in and jabbed on Monday. Tuesday morning got a text from my GP inviting me to book my first jab.
Our next door neighbours daughter (19) was given the vaccine and asked a minute afterwards if she was allergic to anything. She is (penicillin), ended up unable to breathe and in A&E for the night...
And yet you proceeded, had no major ill effects and are here weeks later saying the system is broken… …meanwhile everyone else in the country is admiring the efficacy of rolling out the programme and mostly getting the vaccines/invites to the right people. So it could be you are the only one who sees the real problem – or it could be you have an inability to admit you might be wrong/over reacting.
I’ve deleted the text message I had last week inviting me to go for my second jab on Saturday, with a choice of three different times, to check it’s veracity, but I responded, turned up early, was shown straight in, asked for my date of birth and name, and for my vaccination card, had the jab, and left.
The only thing they didn’t ask was which arm I preferred, but they did ask if I’d shown any reactions to the first one, which I hadn’t, in fact I get stronger reactions to the flu vaccination and I’ve had absolutely no reactions to the second AZ vaccine at all, not even a slight ache.
As an aside, please can I say a huge thank you to everyone who’s said such nice things about me, I’m touched and a little emotional, I’m honestly not used to having anyone say anything like that, and it means more than I can properly express.
It was Joey’s funeral yesterday, which as you all might imagine was very hard to deal with, and it’s going to be an ongoing struggle, but with the lovely people here, and amazing people who I work with, it’s helping me get through it.
