Jab on Tuesday!

DH got letter to go to local hospital on 19th. He is 65.

Huge problems at NHS Fife Hubs. Appointments have been overbooked for Hubs this week. Over 70's and CEV's queueing outside in the cold and snow for hours. Many told to go home and rebook as vaccines had run out. Hundreds of complaints on NHS Fife Facebook page. Hope they sort the shambles out soon.

I haven’t read all this thread but hope everyone has seen tonight on various news slots that anyone over 70 who thinks they have been missed should contact the NHS website urgently as there are vaccine slots going spare!

That’s England only though, Luckylegs. It looks as though nearly all the over 70s invitations have been sent out now and they’re looking for anyone that’s been overlooked. I was surprised to get my call yesterday (Yorkshire), as I’m only 66. I’m booked in this morning.

Myself and my wife have had a call on the mobile last night. We have been booked in at local doctors for the vaccine on Thursday we are 68 and 67

Alegrias1

The word "shambles" was used. And the army have been involved since 18th January so that little piece of anti-Scottish propaganda can be discounted.

Just because Army professionals are involved does not mean they are delivering the whole of the vaccination service, Alegrias.

Personnel from the Royal Army Medical Corps and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards will harness their logistical expertise to identify suitable sites and facilitate vaccine delivery networks.
I am sure that is being carried in a speedy, efficient and professional manner.

The word shambolic was used perhaps because some of those who should have been amongst the 2nd swathe of people to be vaccinated seem to have been forgotten. They may be getting frustrated and upset at the lack of information, trying to contact people and getting no answers.

That would have nothing to do with the Army as they will not be the ones sending out letters or phoning people to arrange the appointments
So saying the Army is involved is rather a red herring as so many other agencies are involved too.

I don't understand what point you are trying to make about the army Call but I think we are in total agreement. There is a narrative going around, and being repeated on this thread, that the only reason Scotland's figures are what they are is because the Army got involved last week. By pointing out that they have been involved for at over 3 weeks I was disproving that bit of false news.

The point I am making is that the Army is involved in the logistics. They may play their part efficiently but they are not the ones contacting people and administering the vaccines.

If people who are clinically extremely vulnerable are upset and frustrated at not getting their appointments when they should, are not able to get any information from helplines, GP surgeries, then that must be down to some inefficiency further along the chain.

Yes, we are in total agreement Call . So when I see posts that say things like "well the army are involved now so that's why the numbers are going up!" I get a bit cross.

I am declining to talk about anyone's specific experiences because I think that is not the right thing to do, but I am continuing to make the point that the rollout in Scotland is not a shambles.

Maggiemaybe my sister got a call this morning for a jab tomorrow.
She’s in the north west and hasn’t reached the magic 70 yet either.

Surgery just phoned. Got an appointment for Sunday. Was distraught when I missed the phone call last week but I’m over the moon now. Can’t wait!I’m not yet 70 so they’re obviously moving onto the next tier down. Last weeks phone call was just to use up leftover vaccine I think.

I asked this morning when I got my jab whether it was left over from no-shows in the older groups. But no, they’ve reached the over 65 group now, though they are still trying to contact over 70s they haven’t reached yet.

Just an aside.....Please ensure your GP Surgery has a mobile number to text you your vaccine authorisation. I have found it quicker.

I'm 67 & our GP service text me 8pm Sunday whereupon I booked and had my jab yesterday, Monday at the GPs local centre.
4 GP practices have set up a local vaccination centre for all their patients.
My letter from the NHS has not yet arrived so although I wanted to use the same rural hub my older OH attended, I was unable to access the NHS National booking system without the code.
After a conversation today with a close neighbour, I was surprised that her GP didn't have a mobile number on her record.
Our GPs automated system will text reminders of booked appointments so we don't miss them, as does our local hospital. So it has proved useful.

Yes, that's very good advice, cupaffull. Also, if you're like us and tend to ignore calls on your landline from withheld numbers, it's advisable to start to answer them just for now. Our surgery rang first on the landline, then immediately afterwards on our mobiles, both coming up as withheld number. DH didn't answer his as he only accepts calls from numbers he knows, and they didn't ring back over the next couple of days - no doubt they would have done eventually, but his NHS letter inviting him to a local hub arrived first.

It's odd here too, I got a call from the GPs today inviting me to go on Thursday to the surgery for my first jab . I'm in my 50s. My husband, late 60's with health issues hasn't heard anything. I'm quite upset as I feel his need is greater than mine ( he's still out working in an essential role whilst I work from home) yet I can't do anything to change it. Knowing the answer would be no I even asked if he could take my place but as I am on a list of vulnerable people due to having had a stroke in the past, there is no flexibility. I'm taken aback by how upset I am by this tbh. I'm usually much more sanguine. Very much hoping he hears something in the next few days as it just doesn't feel right having the vaccine before he does.

Fingers firmly crossed for your DH, NellG. As you're classed as vulnerable, you'll be in the same priority group as the over 70s, and your husband will be in the next one down with the over 65s. It looks as though a lot of us over 65s are being called up now, so with any luck it shouldn't be too long to wait. My DH (over 70) had his last Thursday and I had mine today (66). I hope the gap's no bigger for you and your DH.

I was 70 last week. My husband (71) had his call up just a couple of weeks ago from our GP.
Unbeknownst to me he asked if we could go together (which was agreed).
He presented it to me as a birthday present!
We had our first jab today

Thank you Maggiemaybe I hope so! I'm not sure 'we' always realise how stressful and tense these things are until they bite in some way. Very glad to hear you've both had yours.

I hope everyone else having problems gets sorted soon too. x

Having mine on Thursday afternoon.

Alegrias there will always be those who blame the Scottish government regardless of how well its going.I saw posts today blaming Nicola Sturgeon because the roads were blocked by snow .Who knew she was in control of the weather?
Maybe folk need to look at their GP practices or health boards ..of course its not so satisfying as calling out Nicola!
As I have said before if she discovered a cure for cancer tomorrow these few would complain about Doctors ,nurses and Undertakers being out of work .Thats the way it works .

Minimising people’s painful experiences, blaming the little people. Typical deflection techniques for avoiding responsibility.

Latest stats.

And here’s the vaccination rate

DH will be 70 in May. He got a text message today to book his appointment for his first vaccination. He could choose from a list of days and has chosen Sunday 14th Feb. I will go with him as he is a nervous chap around anything medical.

The NHS link for a vaccine is a postcode lottery. Our friends both 62 no health issues have booked via the link for a jab next week with a follow up in May. They live in the North West. My OH with health issues and over 65 tried to book on the same link and it says he isn't eligible. He contacted our GP practice to ask why. Basically postcode lottery, insufficient supplies in this area. They said they still have 45% of the over 70s to vaccinate and it will be some time before its rolled out to over 65s.