Where to go for Covid vaccine

Each of the four countries in the U.K. have devolved responsibility for the administration of the vaccine once it’s delivered, which is why the prioritisation and administration arrangements will be different in each country, the amount of vaccine is allocated based on the size of the population.

On tonight’s Welsh BBC news it was said that the target is for all eligible groups to be done by Easter. I think they will use mass vaccination centres or hospitals for the Pfizer vaccine because of the storage and reconstitution requirements, and local centres for other vaccines as they become available. This may not be GP practices everywhere, as they also have the task of administering many more normal flu vaccines this winter because the eligibility has reduced to age 50 and they have limited staffing.

The point was made on the news that this is a huge logistical exercise, with a level of urgency that means that we can’t expect it to run completely smoothly throughout the whole U.K., but we will all be offered the vaccine in the next few months in a venue that may be difficult, but won’t be impossible for us to get to - some travel compromises may have to be made, particularly by younger and more mobile people, and some older people who can’t travel may have to wait a bit longer - but if we can all get it by Easter I think most people will be prepared to wait a little while.

On our local Facebook page this evening we’ve all been notified the first vaccinations will be on the 15th in a local surgery acting as a hub for four surgeries. This will be for over 80’s not in a care home or housebound, people will get a letter with a telephone number to call and arrange both appointments. I’m sure any issues can be addressed during that call.

B9exchange
I agree with you, although I don’t know, I don’t suppose anyone knows precisely unless involved directly, but it makes sense that the vaccine most likely to be given in the GP surgery is the Oxford one.

I have just read that a large conference centre in a nearby town will be a hub for the vaccine,much closer than the County one. Throughout the day there have been snippets of information on the news about waiting to be contacted etc. Apparently all care home residents will be vaccinated before Christmas which is wonderful. It's a lot more reassuring than 24 hours ago.
So much is being made about how wonderful this is,which it is! I must admit in light of the magnitude of this event someone in authority had taken a little time to give a brief outline of what will happen? It wouldnt have to over detailed. I have found here very helpful,and reassuring. There must be countless people out there who live alone,or are disabled,dont drive etc who would be concerned. I think people have had months of worry and uncertainty which probably intensifies concerns in a way that normally wouldnt be a problem. Still it does seem the light at the end of the tunnel is real?

we will get a letter when it's our turn be get the vaccine, I will presume it will tell us where to go and who to contact on how to get there if there is difficulty!

There is a short window of a few days when the vaccines don't have to be stored at -70C. If you think about it, they could not be given at that temperature! They come in large containers, and the logistics of splitting them into smaller quantities for distribution is still being worked out. GPs might have one area surgery specifically set up to store the whole containers, but I think the vast majority of those given in a GP surgery will be the Astra Zeneca one.

Whatever you do don't go to Leicester. Unbelievably their hospitals are not being included in the first round. The LRI is one of the largest hospitals in England.

The city and county are being sent to hell in a hand cart. Bloody disgrace.

Littleannie

How does anyone know that one GP practice will be set up to do this? The conditions required for stability of the vaccine are very precise. GP surgeries don’t have the facilities unless special storage facilities are brought to the practice.

What won’t happen is a nurse visit to an elderly person at home, as I saw suggested somewhere. The Pfizer vaccine is not stable unless at a certain temperature and not stable being transported. Very careful protocols have been put in place in order to transport this vaccine and in addition there has to be a safe place for patients to sit for 15/20 minutes after the vaccine is administered. That’s precisely why hospitals and vaccine hubs are being set up to vaccinate.
However the Oxford/AsraZeneca vaccine will be able to be transported much more easily, and so is probably more likely to be taken to care homes or private homes for those who are not mobile.
To begin with there are only 800,000 doses being delivered. Everyone who wants the vaccine will not get one straight away, most will have a long wait. The government have said the vaccine program should be completed by early summer, therefore it’s not wise to assume you’ll get a vaccine in the next few days or weeks.

There will be at least one local GP surgery set up to deliver the vaccines, they have signed up to an agreement to do this. So it will be to a local GP surgery you will be called unless a hospital or football ground is close to you.

Thank you for your sympathetic replies. For any elderly person with health, mobility and transport problems, getting to somewhere essential, miles away, is a real problem. I hope when they send for us they have designated somewhere closer to home.

I'll take all your advice and stay home until we know more. Fingers crossed and all the rest.
I'm grateful to FannyCornforth and Dorsetcupcake in particular.
Though I read one of the centres nearest to me might be a racecourse.

My Dad's 89 and is keen to have the vaccine.
What's worrying him if it's imminent is that he'll need a second dose three weeks later: he's planning to go to my brother's for Christmas and he's worried he'll miss the second injection or not be able to go away.
I keep telling him it's too soon to make firm plans for Christmas anyway, or worry about the vaccination yet and he'll be told when it's his turn, but it's obviously gnawing away at him.

There are a lot of logistics to be sorted out yet, and I am sure you are not alone in worrying about getting to somewhere to have your vaccine. As others have said, I am sure your surgery will be in touch and will not expect anyone who should be shielding to either drive a long way or get on a bus and stand in a queue at a stadium. Stay home, stay warm, and put your mind at rest.

The Govt is so very very keen for as many people as possible to get vaccinated I'm sure they will make it as easy as they can for everyone to have the jab.
I think this is one instance when we can trust them to step up to the line and deliver.

Lillie and Dorsetcupcake
Glad that your mind/s are slightly put at rest.
Everything is so unknown at the moment, and also moving so quickly.
We've all got to learn to go with the flow and take it one day at a time.
(So many clichés! )

Thankyou Lillie. It is helpful in here as there are people who can have a calming affect and a trouble shared etc?. Some can be very dismissive or actually quite rude. I suppose it's the same as in the real world,some people are very forthright and some more sensitive. In the real world it's probably not so hurtful as we probably only confide in a set group of people and we know the strengths/weaknesses of our immediate circle. Of course one of the massive advantages of here is hearing views of people outside our immediate circle. I suppose it's like standing in a room full of strangers and asking what they think about something! That said it did feel a few months ago as though GN was becoming a bit of a different place,and at times a bit cliquey. Those that mentioned it were normally shot down in flames! It doesnt seem as obvious recently, or maybe I'm just better at avoiding/ignoring it.!

I agree Dorsetcupcake, it is nice on GN when people understand. Little problems to some can be big problems for others.

I don't like it when people dismiss or make fun of our worries.

I think like many others initially I had similar concerns. Thank goodness I can come on here,made me realise others have similar concerns and more importantly to be patient and chances are it will all work out!

Lillie

I'm worried about this. Far more so then whether to have the vaccine or not. 100 mile round trip to the nearest hospital on the list. Cold weather, poor public transport. Costs involed like taxis, train fares? Risks all round.

This won't happen.
It's early days.

I would have thought that the NHS and the powers that be would realise that it's not advisable, or indeed possible, for a great number of over 80s to be motoring about over the UK.
You are worrying needlessly.
Others are worried that HCPs and clinically extremely vulnerable people are having to wait.
Just be thankful of the vaccine.
It will get sorted.

I am wondering whether later sessions will take place more locally, because hopefully they’ll have the Oxford vaccine, which doesn’t need the very low storage temperatures that the Pfizer one requires.

The news this morning said that it would be offered to hospital in and out patients first. So if you have a hospital appointment anyway they will "kill 2 birds....".
Vaccination will then go to those who CAN easily get to the hospital. I presume that they think that if you can get there then you are out and about and more vulnerable to catching C19.
I wouldn't worry as it will be available to all, with or without transport as soon as possible. We have enough to worry about at present, just sit back and wait to be contacted.

I'm worried about this. Far more so then whether to have the vaccine or not. 100 mile round trip to the nearest hospital on the list. Cold weather, poor public transport. Costs involed like taxis, train fares? Risks all round.