Philocalist
Regular member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2004
- Messages
- 2,697
Just a 'heads up' some may find helpful. As most will know, the vaccinations are still being done in a strict order, and you're evidently unable to book one without falling into an appropriate category / being invited to.
Apparently, these invites are being sent out by BOTH GP surgeries AND the NHS, directly. Although the purpose is identical - getting you in for a vaccine, they are NOT the same, and apparently access different appointments (and venues) despite both using the same (home) postcode for you - I've just discovered this accidentally.
I got my invites (from GP, via text message, and by mail from the NHS) more than a couple of weeks ago, but a combination of the car being off the road, and an apparent lack of appropriate appointment locations and times meant I did not book until last week - I'd used the 'NHS' route online (and via 119), to be repeatedly offered appointments where the nearest / earliest ones were at one of 3 locations at least 35 miles distant (which would have meant in my case, a couple of hours on public transport, each way....).
Consequently, the earliest I could book at a venue fairly close was (at that point) about 3 weeks distant, w/c 22nd March.
Getting a bit twitchy about the delay (in view of the fact we've two young lads beingused as guinea pigs back at school from tomorrow) who may well bring the virus home to an otherwise healthy family (we also have my father-in-law resident - 94 years old, so it's particularly concerning), I went back online again today (via the NHS link again) to see if anything sooner / closer had been made available. Nope - earlier appointments at least 10 days away are still 35 miles distant, anything closer being maybe 10 days after that.
On a whim, I then followed the link given to me in the text message from my GP (remember both they and the NHS direct are using the same details for me) - and was offered an appointment later this week, with availibility most of the day, and onwards - at my local walk-in centre, about 5 mins away.
One more click, and the job is done, and confirmed immediately
NOT complaining, or questioning why, just trying to give anyone struggling a nudge in the right direction.....
Apparently, these invites are being sent out by BOTH GP surgeries AND the NHS, directly. Although the purpose is identical - getting you in for a vaccine, they are NOT the same, and apparently access different appointments (and venues) despite both using the same (home) postcode for you - I've just discovered this accidentally.
I got my invites (from GP, via text message, and by mail from the NHS) more than a couple of weeks ago, but a combination of the car being off the road, and an apparent lack of appropriate appointment locations and times meant I did not book until last week - I'd used the 'NHS' route online (and via 119), to be repeatedly offered appointments where the nearest / earliest ones were at one of 3 locations at least 35 miles distant (which would have meant in my case, a couple of hours on public transport, each way....).
Consequently, the earliest I could book at a venue fairly close was (at that point) about 3 weeks distant, w/c 22nd March.
Getting a bit twitchy about the delay (in view of the fact we've two young lads being
On a whim, I then followed the link given to me in the text message from my GP (remember both they and the NHS direct are using the same details for me) - and was offered an appointment later this week, with availibility most of the day, and onwards - at my local walk-in centre, about 5 mins away.
One more click, and the job is done, and confirmed immediately
NOT complaining, or questioning why, just trying to give anyone struggling a nudge in the right direction.....
Jab 2/3 week before the April opening up of stuff. Perfect timing
