General Chat

Anyone had one? Not a booster, but a third dose, that then has to be followed up by a booster.

I had a text in October telling me I must contact my GP about my Covid vaccine. I did and the receptionist said I would get an invitation to book an appointment. 6months and 2 weeks after my second dose and I hadn't been invited for my booster and the site said I was not entitled to book! Contacted 119 and they said I couldn't have my booster till I had a 3rd dose!! I have had to contact my GP to get him to authorise a 3rd dose? Useless ringing them so have e mailed them as advised on the recorded message on the surgery phone line. Now a bit worried as it appears I am considered vulnerable/ immunosuppressed just how much immunity I currently have. Meanwhile hubby is going for his booster today.

I had that letter too and what a lot of confusion it threw up! I went to a walk in hub and was told it is the same as the booster, RA nurse also told me the same.
It is a badly written letter. Basically, those who are on the 'at risk' list are advised to get a third jab as early as 28 days after the second. Dose is same as 1st 2nd and booster.
They are sending the letter to those who are close to getting the booster, hence the confusion.
I got the 'not entitled to book' too!

I cut out the confusion by going to a walk in. Done and dusted.

I have read this morning that methotrexate patients may be advised to take a two week break before jabs. I'm glad I'm not on that any more.

I have been told I can go to the walk in centre but the nearest one is the other side of the Thames to me, and a drive which includes the Dartford crossing is not something I fancy

This link might help

https://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/covid-19-national-vaccination-programme/frequently-asked-questions-regarding-the-third-primary-dose/

Sorry if it stretches the page :-)

There are some more links if you Google. Perhaps try to see if their is a similar link for your area

Thank you for that, very informative, I will investigate and see if Kent has anything

Seems there is only 1 walk in centre in Kent and that says boosters are unavailable, this is so frustrating

That is so frustrating for you D I would have thought your surgery should be able to sort it out. sounds like you may have to push them a bit. Were you classed as vulnerable before?

It' very misleading to say the 3rrd dose isn't the same as the booster.
It IS THE SAME DOSAGE, it is the timing which is different. If you had the second dose four weeks plus ago and fit the criteria you are advised to have another jab as soon as.

It is vey frustrating KM as I found no-one could give me any useful information - not 119, not my GP surgery. So much for concern about high risk when they have to travel good distances to try to get the 3rd/booster jab. !st and 2nd jabs went so well but now it's all fallen apart. :-S

I got notification when the first round of vaccines were announced, Ann, saying I was vulnerable and suggesting I went to a walk in centre. Then a couple of days later my GP surgery got in touch and invited me to book the vaccine at a local GP surgery, which is where I went for my first and second doses
Hubby had his first and second doses at the same place, and he has his booster due today, that's why I was getting concerned that I hadn't heard.

AnnG, this is what I went through. The surgery knew nothing, weren't doing covid jabs or giving advise. I don't think they were alone.

I feel much the same Island. Just noticed on another forum that the debacle has been raised in the House of Commons last week, so won't hold my breath about it being sorted out any time soon (sorry about my cynicism)

Be as cynical as you like KM :-D
It is shameful how the whole booster thing has fallen apart. It makes me angry when I see news items about the uptake for boosters being 'very slow'.
I travelled two towns away to a walk in - recipe for spreading I think.

I went to book a booster online, using the Government site, and the nearest was in the same place as my first dose - a bus ride, train ride, and another bus ride away - and a fortune in fares!.
Fortunately, my daughter took me for the first one.

I waited before booking my second, The surgery sent me to the car park of a supermarket, a bus ride away.
I'll just wait until the surgery contacts me this time.

Hope you have better luck with your booster than you did with your 1st one Maggie, it's all a bit of a lottery it seems, the same as when they opened the testing stations and people had to travel miles

btw I have just found that several walk in centres in Kent were CLOSED from the 1st November !!!! Just at the time they expected us all to start having boosters.

I had the 'right hand' 'left hand' palarvar.

OH had his letter and asked if I could go and get my booster at the same time. No problem. Booked and done within 24 hours.

2 weeks later I had a letter inviting me to book my booster!

Ringing hasn't helped in my case MotownGal, 119 referred me to my GP !!!

I keep hoping I will get a letter or text inviting me to attend for a vaccine, but am not holding my breath

Sitting here bored, while hubby watches rugby, so decided to try the NHS site again and miraculously it said I can now book an appointment !! Have booked at the centre we went to previously, but it is not until 3rd December

Have you seen the piece in the Sunday Mail on line. There seems to have been a really bad communication between NHS and doctors etc about this third jab. It seems to have caused a lot of problems and heartache. I still think you should be getting yours sooner than 3 December.

My NHS App on my phone shows my Booster details on 21 Oct 2021 along with details of the first two jabs :-S

My first two jabs were at a Vaccination Hub and my Booster at a Pharmacy. :-)

:-S The op is asking if anyone has had a letter regarding the '3RD JAB' NOT the booster!