who should run the vaccination service

seems to be going to plan in my area ,elderly and care home workers were being vacccinated over the last couple of weeks and we had a letter from our GP about when we might expect to be called for ours.Flu jags were given in the local community centre and I can see no reason why the CV vaccine cant be given there too

Can anyone that has had the vaccine tell me how they were informed about it. Was it by telephone or letter? I must be one of the few people in the country to not have a decent mobile phone!

Ellianne

I'm getting fed up with all this news about elderly people not turning up for their jabs. Aren't we constantly being told how much missed appointments cost the NHS? What's wrong with people? Fine, if they don't want the jab let the centre know in advance.
If they'd prefer to wait for the Oxford vaccine then send them to the bottom of the queue.

There may have been genuine reasons why the elderly patients didnt turn up for their appointment. Some elderly people have to rely on transport. As most of us know its a struggle trying to get through on the phone to surgeries as they are so busy.

Ellianne

In this day and age why can't everyone be notified by text? Older people manage their hair appointment reminders this way.

People like my 93yo mum don’t use a mobile phone. Her friend is blind and can’t read messages. We ourselves live rurally where there are numerous blackspots of mobile and internet coverage.

I would think it's fairly obvious that the very elderly may need support to ensure they get their vaccination.

I support someone whose mum is in her 90s.
Absolutely no point phoning her: she can't hear, even with her aids.
No internet, and she doesn't drive.
She also has to make arrangements for her daughter to be looked after before doing anything outside the home.

I’ve never sent a text.....

That's exactly why I feel exasperated. Why wasn't all this addressed months ago?

That was in reply to MissAdenture and SueD.

Sorry I'm not getting at anyone on this thread, I totally understand about rural areas living in one myself. When I foresaw these logistical problems for the elderly 2 months ago this was the reply I got.
Oh stop being so silly - GPs won’t be needed for this jab and there are many plans afoot already for increasing the number of people who can give the Covid jab such as retired health care staff and community pharmacists ....... they have plenty of time to get the process in place for Covid jabs.
I'm just frustrated this lockdown.

I would have thought it may have been taken into account, but then those in care homes haven't been dealt with yet.

I know in my area people are being informed of their appointment by letter. It sounds like it’s being done differently in each area, because of the scale of the programme it’s difficult to be prescriptive about how to do it because different areas will have different solutions.
As long as all the vulnerable groups are done by mid February I think people will have to be patient. It’s been confirmed for Wales today that they will follow up non attenders and offer an alternative appointment as well, which is the first time I’ve seen that written down anywhere.

I posted about this yesterday so sorry for repeating myself. Why is everyone so down about this?

50% of people in care homes in Scotland have had their first dose. 25% of all people in England over 80 years old. We've given 1.3 million doses, in the entire world only the US, China and Israel have given more.

Maybe we'll run out of vaccines next week, maybe not. Maybe the people you personally think should be top of the list aren't. Maybe 102 year old Auntie Jeannie hasn't been contacted yet, but she will be. Maybe they'll send somebody out to her.

So far, we're doing OK. Be positive for once.

It's fine to discuss these things, I'm sure.

Of course MissA. But we should recognise good news when its there.

I will, as soon as I see some that I consider good.
I'm a miserable sod by nature, I'm afraid.

I can see that huge strides forward are due, but I have little faith in the organisation of it all.

Once the first swathe of people are vaccinated, I shall be more inclined to feel positive.
They have been waiting a hell of a while.

I'm just listening to Sir John Bell, one of the things he said was that we should not be too hard on any politicians, none of them have ever had to deal with anything like this before. I've no time at all for the current WM government but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this vaccine rollout. Going to listen to the Brigadier next, apparently he's very good!

He is! He instills confidence.

Alegrias1

I'm just listening to Sir John Bell, one of the things he said was that we should not be too hard on any politicians, none of them have ever had to deal with anything like this before. I've no time at all for the current WM government but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this vaccine rollout. Going to listen to the Brigadier next, apparently he's very good!

The briefing today was good. Plans afoot! The Forces are involved in Vaccination programme, and St Johns Ambulance....and by God they're going to need them when the reopen the Nightingale Hospital in London.
The target is to get the first vacs into all care home residents and over 80's by the end of Jan. That will hopefully lessen pressure on hospitals given that demographic are most likely to require intensive care.
But be under no illusion those who've been vaccinated will not be able to resume normal life we will still have to stay safe/ social distance for months yet. The first vacs from Pfizer...
purportedly confer 90% protection but that's not to say you won't get the virus, just that you are less likely to get seriously ill from it and thus perhaps stay out of hospital.
There is hope so let's all be a little more positive. We can do this.

My friend's husband was vaccinated a week before Christmas but I am not 70 until June so not on any priority list.

Our surgery took on a financial manager a few years back and seem to be all about the money, which is frustrating at times. They are a COVID vac centre now and are 100% focussed on that and the doctors are not seeing any patients and have made no attempt to cover their duties.

I've had what I self diagnosed as a kidney infection but there's been a point blank refusal for me to see a doctor. The nurse holds telephone surgery and is much easier to talk to but I've not been examined and she's told me that no tests are being undertaken at our local hospital - not quite true as other surgeries are seeing patients and getting tests done.

I've had two courses of very powerful antibiotics via the nurse and an emergency. My sister in law, who is a nurse, thinks I probably have/had an infection in the appendix area rather than kidneys, She knows I was bottom of the class in biology!

My temperature is back to normal and only the odd painful twinge so hopefully I'm heading in the right direction now. Except of course for the thrush! Second course of tablets picked up today!

There is hope so let's all be a little more positive.
Yes, you're right. I need to end this week with some hope. I'm glad the NHS and MOD will be adopting a partnership approach to rolling out the vaccine. The military especially will want it to succeed.

MissAdventure

I would think it's fairly obvious that the very elderly may need support to ensure they get their vaccination.

I support someone whose mum is in her 90s.
Absolutely no point phoning her: she can't hear, even with her aids.
No internet, and she doesn't drive.
She also has to make arrangements for her daughter to be looked after before doing anything outside the home.

DD's in laws had a visit from a nurse who gave them both a flu vaccination so presumably the same could be done for the COVID vaccinations. They both have health problems and are in their late 70s.

Hopefully that is what will happen.
It would probably be the easiest, fastest way.

For the lady I'm talking about, they would have to write to make an appt.