Jumping Vaccine Queue

Mary62 I prefer to see it that you're not upset your sister got it earlier than expected, more that you're upset you've not had it yet. You're understandably keen to feel safe as soon as possible. But be reassured that had your sister said "no that wouldn't be fair to my older sister" it wouldn't have got you yours any sooner.

I don't care who has it in which order as long as everyone who can have it does. If you have a medical reason you can't have it that's fine. But there will be those who won't have it because they are idiots. I have said before it should be compulsory for everyone. That way we protect ourselves and those people who can't have it. Hate to think doses have been thrown away because people don't keep there appointments. They should be fined. I know some won't agree. But if you have to pay £50 for missed appointment without a rock solid reason appointments will be kept.

The pragmatic decision to use the spare vaccine on anyone whether or not they 'deserve' it - as a benefit to all in the long run - is essentially a small-c conservative viewpoint. Most people have supported this viewpoint on this thread which is why, despite the public narrative supporting the idea of 'Tories' as 'nasty', the Conservatives keep being elected.

Think about the opposite view: if everyone can't have it, no one should. That is the attitude of some other political parties.

My cousin in Israel says that people are told that if there’s spare vaccine at the end of the day, anyone hanging around outside the vaccination centre can have it, so as not to waste it..!

I think it's a very good idea to use up the vaccine rather than it go to waste

I read that nurses were ringing friends to come in and have the vaccine that would otherwise be wasted - makes absolute sense as far as I can see; why not offer it to someone who will be able to attend quickly? We will all get our turn, and this way the job will be completed faster.

If the situation had been reversed what would you have done? Say no don't vaccinate my family?

I agree with everyone else it would be idiotic to let it go to waste. Anyone able to get there at the end of the day is welcome to it. Older or more vulnerable people would be less likely to get there last minute. The more vaccinated the sooner its over.

I am so glad it was used rather wasted ! Good move I think .

Oldbat1

I know locally they will ring people last minute and/or they have been offering it to nhs staff. I know someone actually administering the vaccine who managed to get one herself at end of day. Seemingly gp group were saying that most of the vials could do 6 instead of the expected 5. Better than wasting it anyway.

The vials do have enough for 6 injections, we have been told in France and are being calculated to inoculate six people, so as not to waste any.

Better to use it than bin it, which would have been wasteful.

Feel happy that they are now on the way to being protected and mention to your niece that if it happens again, you will be happy to come in at short notice rather than let it go in the bin.

some people miss appts because they simply cannot get there; they may be ill and unable to contact.
i have seen this happen with a neighbour who was an emergency case, nearly fatal, then the same hosp she was in for 6 weeks with multiple surgeries, were writing to her home address stating she would be dropped for non attendance at out-patients.
as for nepotism re vaccines, how many frail elderly could turn on a sixpence and attend GPs'/distant hub within 20 minutes. might be hazardous to try.
much better to use rather than waste such a precious commodity. who gets it is less important, imo.

Better than throwing it out as that's what would happen. Highlights how many people miss appointments - very selfish to do that.

Two of my friends have had theirs early because they were volunteer marshals at the vaccination centre, and there was vaccine left over at the end of the day. Would have been a sin to let it go to waste.

In the papers today there was an article about 45 vaccines being thrown away as the people who had booked appointments didn’t turn up. The doctors and nurses phoned anyone they could think of to have the jab rather than waste it. A sensible idea I think.
Is there anyone on this thread, who given the chance, wouldn’t vaccinate their family and loved ones rather than throw the vaccine away?

I do see the point you are making but one good thing is that, when people in their age groups are being vaccinated, your sister and the other three will already have been "done".

As NotSpaghetti said just above me, it could be called nepotism and someone else more needy might have been found at short notice but I suppose it isn't always as easy as it sounds.

Be pleased your sister and family are now safer.

I would feel as you do Mary62. This strikes me as nepotism.
I would have thought there would be plenty of other people who could become available at no notice.

Obviously you don't want to waste it but it just feels extremely convenient.

Our local group of GP practices rings round towards the end of the afternoon to ensure that no vaccine is wasted. Seems eminently sensible to me.

I know locally they will ring people last minute and/or they have been offering it to nhs staff. I know someone actually administering the vaccine who managed to get one herself at end of day. Seemingly gp group were saying that most of the vials could do 6 instead of the expected 5. Better than wasting it anyway.

Commendable really. As others have said the vaccine must be used quickly not to waste it and the GP might have tried to contact other patients without success too.

I'd rather see a vaccination going into someone's arm, than in the bin.

I don't see a problem particularly when I read that some vaccines had to be dumped. Plus the usual DNA's after appointments were made for them.

yes, it's a question of what is practicable.
some people do not turn up for appts, they may be ill, and the alternative is to waste those doses.
if people are around and able to come immediately, it is better to use the doses. this also benefits all of us indirectly.
if you are mobile perhaps you could hang about outside vaccination hubs at close of day and try to get any left over.

Yep- the vaccine will be used rather than throw it away. It may have just been easier and quicker to ring someone she knew. They may even have arranged it for just such an eventuality. Try not to be resentful- each person vaccinated is a step nearer freedom for us all.

Good for their DiL, far better than it going to waste. There may have been others higher in the queue but at the end of the day, in the dark and cold, far better to call up those who are fit and able to turn out.
I would be pleased for my sister and family.