Covid Vaccine Confusion - Type 1

[Junglegirl]

Hi,

So like many I am a Type 1. My husband has just turned 65 and has been invited to make an appointment for his first vaccine jab, the letter also states that anyone who has long term medical conditions should also be following this advice and making their appointments. I haven’t received any letter like his, nor had any contact from the GP. My GP’s website has been offline for over a week and phones go unanswered I am also away from home in a long term childminding bubble.
My question basically is how do I even go about trying to get information about being invited for the vaccine as clearly stated on my husband’s letter? If I use the Government’s manage your bookings site, going through the entire process also states you are not eligible for a vaccination at this time.
Does anyone know what is actually happening these days? Conflicting information, maybe 111 would be able to help? Any thoughts or information would be welcome.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

So like many I am a Type 1. My husband has just turned 65 and has been invited to make an appointment for his first vaccine jab

Most likely you'll receive a similar invitation in the next few days.

 

[Junglegirl]

Most likely you'll receive a similar invitation in the next few days.

Thank you for your reply his letter arrived a few days ago, will keep everything crossed.

 

[Robin]

The NHs are supposed to be contacting the clinically vulnerable, and in this area it is being done by our GP. Those of us over 65 were asked to go to one of he big hubs as soon as we got our letter, in order to relieve pressure on our GP though. I discovered that the NHS website changed a couple of days before I got my letter, to allow aged 65+ people to book even if their letter hadn’t arrived. I see you are 60, it might be worth keeping an eye on the NHs website in case they lower it to 60+ ahead of your letter actually arriving, and get it done then, if you haven’t heard via your GP.

 

[Becka]

"If you are at moderate risk from coronavirus (clinically vulnerable) the NHS will contact you to arrange your vaccination appointments."

COVID-19 vaccine

NHS information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including what the vaccine helps protect against, who should have it and when, how to get it and side effects.

www.nhs.uk

Diabetes is a condition considered clinically vulnerable, as opposed to clinically extremely vulnerable which covers those with conditions which require them to shield.

The above only applies to England.

(Also clinically vulnerable used to be called "high risk", and clinically extremely vulnerable as "very high risk," so it absolutely stupid to see they have changed the labels again to make it even more confusing.)

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Thank you for your reply his letter arrived a few days ago, will keep everything crossed.

Over 65s and clinically vulnerable (under 65) are in different groups (group 5 and group 6, respectively) and I think the invites might even take different routes (with group 6 coming more through groups of GP surgeries while the age-related groups might be done differently).

(While overall I think it's happening really smoothly there are individual cases like yours which don't seem ideal. Would make lots of sense for you both to be invited at the same time, whereas I think it's possible you might find you're pretty much forced to go to different places for your vaccinations (though that probably varies by area).)

 

[Junglegirl]

To make matters slightly worse I am currently away from home, so even if my GP contacted me I would need to attend somewhere else entirely. It is just so confusing, I’ve spoken to people in their 30’s with no medical conditions getting letters and vaccinated. Heard the gestational diabetes comments on the radio about not having the condition now it was years ago, getting letters and vaccinated and yet here we are stuck in the middle getting nowhere fast.

 

[Junglegirl]

"If you are at moderate risk from coronavirus (clinically vulnerable) the NHS will contact you to arrange your vaccination appointments."

COVID-19 vaccine

NHS information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including what the vaccine helps protect against, who should have it and when, how to get it and side effects.

www.nhs.uk

Diabetes is a condition considered clinically vulnerable, as opposed to clinically extremely vulnerable which covers those with conditions which require them to shield.

The above only applies to England.

(Also clinically vulnerable used to be called "high risk", and clinically extremely vulnerable as "very high risk," so it absolutely stupid to see they have changed the labels again to make it even more confusing.)

My son has been vaccinated extremely high risk, and yet first lockdown diabetics were treated differently to third lockdown, honestly it’s so confusing, guess it’s a wait and see perhaps sometime before July, if lucky. I think I am a little fed up with it all like many.

 

[grovesy]

Some are finding been able to book by going on to the national boking website.

 

[Inka]

Group 6 (clinically vulnerable eg diabetes) vaccinations are being organised by the GPs @Junglegirl The Group 5 vaccs are being organised differently using a national system. That’s probably why you haven’t heard yet.

Group 6s cannot book through the national booking site. You should get a text or call from your GP. If you look at the Who Has Had Their Jab thread here you’ll see a number of Type 1s including me have been contacted and vaccinated. They only started contacting Group 6 a week or so ago, so hopefully you should hear soon.

However, if you’re a long way from your home/GP you need to ensure you’re offered appropriate sites or return home for your vaccination.

 

[grovesy]

Group 6 (clinically vulnerable eg diabetes) vaccinations are being organised by the GPs @Junglegirl The Group 5 vaccs are being organised differently using a national system. That’s probably why you haven’t heard yet.

Group 6s cannot book through the national booking site. You should get a text or call from your GP. If you look at the Who Has Had Their Jab thread here you’ll see a number of Type 1s including me have been contacted and vaccinated. They only started contacting Group 6 a week or so ago, so hopefully you should hear soon.

However, if you’re a long way from your home/GP you need to ensure you’re offered appropriate sites or return home for your vaccination.

I think the problem is that @Junglegirl is away from home and she has previously said the GP where she is won't let her register as temporary patient.

 

[Inka]

I think the problem is that @Junglegirl is away from home and she has previously said the GP where she is won't let her register as temporary patient.

Yes, I remember her thread about her prescription. See my last sentence above for the options I can think of. Presumably she can’t just re-register permanently as her home isn’t there. Perhaps @Junglegirl could email her Surgery or local Trust?

 

[AndBreathe]

@Junglegirl - If you know your NHS number, you could see what happens using this website? You may or may not fall into any of the eligible categories. (Don't be put off by the Over-65 remark)

Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

www.nhs.uk

I did a session at our local vaccination hub yesterday, where there were a real mish-mash of ages, outward wellness/vulnerabilities. I didn't know any of these being vaccinated, so no idea why they were there. I don't believe it's my (or anyone else's) place to question an individual's need/entitlement.

 

[grovesy]

@Junglegirl - If you know your NHS number, you could see what happens using this website? You may or may not fall into any of the eligible categories. (Don't be put off by the Over-65 remark)

Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

www.nhs.uk

I did a session at our local vaccination hub yesterday, where there were a real mish-mash of ages, outward wellness/vulnerabilities. I didn't know any of these being vaccinated, so no idea why they were there. I don't believe it's my (or anyone else's) place to question an individual's need/entitlement.

I have read of reports of people being successful in booking via the National Site and other been told it is not their turn yet.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

To make matters slightly worse I am currently away from home, so even if my GP contacted me I would need to attend somewhere else entirely.

Ah, that does make things more complex. If you can't resolve it yourself (by getting in contact with your GP or booking an appointment using your NHS number or whatever) it might be worth contacting Diabetes UK. It seems like there's a combination of things in your case that make things awkward.

 

[AndBreathe]

I have read of reports of people being successful in booking via the National Site and other been told it is not their turn yet.

Of course. The doors aren't yet open to absolutely everyone to book, but as the OP is wondering with they currently meet the criteria, it mightn't be a bad avenue to explore, bearing in mind it can be done from anywhere, without even trying to speak to a human.

It is also true that not everyone wants to use the national booking systems, where they may be invited to attend locations that aren't too convenient for them. They can just wait for their GP to contact them.

The number are rattling through at the moment.

Our little no-horse town have almost 10,000 vaccinations delivered last week alone. Everyone seems to be working hard to get it done efficiently.

 

[Inka]

“You can only use this service if any of the following apply:

• you are aged 65 and over
• you have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you are an eligible frontline health worker
• you are an eligible frontline social care worker”

With people being turned away from vaccination centres for booking wrongly, why not just follow the guidelines? They’ve separated out Groups 5 and 6 into different categories for a reason. Group 6 is GP-organised. Even if the above booking sites vaccinates all the Group 5s it may then be moved to cover, for example, Group 7 and, again, not Group 6.

 

[Junglegirl]

Hi everyone, thank you for your comments. I think it is one of those areas where I sort of slip through the cracks. I will probably be able to get back home around Easter, however if I can’t be vaccinated locally here in Kent, then school runs will once again become a nightmare situation.
the National site tells me I am not allowed to book right now as I don’t qualify. I will just wait it out like lots of others at least they are promising everyone will be vaccinated by summer.
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
kind regard.

 

[Lucyr]

To make matters slightly worse I am currently away from home, so even if my GP contacted me I would need to attend somewhere else entirely. It is just so confusing, I’ve spoken to people in their 30’s with no medical conditions getting letters and vaccinated. Heard the gestational diabetes comments on the radio about not having the condition now it was years ago, getting letters and vaccinated and yet here we are stuck in the middle getting nowhere fast.

I have a sibling on the shielding list who is away from home (student so at holiday address not term time address). They’ve been told can only get jab in the area you’re registered with GP so are having to travel back for the jab each time.

 

[grovesy]

Hi everyone, thank you for your comments. I think it is one of those areas where I sort of slip through the cracks. I will probably be able to get back home around Easter, however if I can’t be vaccinated locally here in Kent, then school runs will once again become a nightmare situation.
the National site tells me I am not allowed to book right now as I don’t qualify. I will just wait it out like lots of others at least they are promising everyone will be vaccinated by summer.
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
kind regard.

Has you home area got its own Covid information website? Here in Essex there is a separate website.