Vocal Voices

.... would you go in the wee hours?

If I cannot go to the local GP hub any time soon and the offer is made then I will attend. In fact I would prefer to go in the quiet hours when there are likely to be fewer takers and shorter queues even if it means a bit of a drive.

I know it will not be for everyone, especially the elderly and most vulnerable, but for those of us who are more mobile then why not?

The problem isn't about opening hours WM its about the delivery of the vaccine. Its no good them opening 24/7 if they only have enough vaccine to vaccinate for 12/3.5

Shell, I do get that, but they were not talking of doing it immediately, it was for the future according to the local news, when stocks may have built up.

At least the idea is out there. It is apparently an 'offer' and not a take it or leave it option. The woman below sits on the CCG committee so I'll quiz her if / when I see her knocking about.... she is likely to know a bit more than the journalists.

I dont think they will ever be able to keep up with demand. As soon as stocks arrive they are gone, cant see how they can build up to be honest

If required I would go in the early hours, yes.

Have been for mine.
See my post on the cafe.

Sorry, Shell, I chose the wrong words, I didn't mean it as a supply chain issue.

Locally there are 17 community clinics normally offering such things as ante-natal, post-natal, chiropody, minor injuries and other services as well as consulting rooms for visiting doctors, surgeons and consultants from the four main trusts - they are not GP surgeries they are more akin to the old local (cottage) hospitals, but without wards..

With the vaccines they are taking appointments from 8 am to 8 pm, but with later appointments arranged on an 'as needed' basis - not 24/7 but, I think, up to 10 pm. There are quite a few no-shows at GPs and the danger is that doses could be thrown out as they near their five day storage limit. Some of those doses could be sent to the clinics for later evening vaccinations. Yes, it would be hit and miss till it's refined, but if I got a text asking me if I wanted to attend at short notice I would be off like a shot.

24/7 will come at the major sites in time, Nadhim Zahawi said so on R4 this morning. It won't be in GP surgeries that's for sure. If many are like mine it would be easier getting in to Fort Knox wearing a balaclava and carrying a bazooka.

cromwell wrote:If required I would go in the early hours, yes.

Same here.

I think I'm getting the gist of what you are saying Frank.

My vaccine was given in a community hall which is attached to the GP surgery, although on Saturday and Sunday that was closed. They were open between 8am to 6pm Friday Saturday Sunday and Monday. The community hall has been fitted with washing machines to wash the scrubs, plenty of fridges to store the vaccine for its 6 hours. The problem with the Pfizer is it comes in batches of 1000. So once you open a batch you have 6 hours to use it, so yes what you are suggesting is workable. At the moment it is offered to whoever can get there.

Where my husband works they had 100 batches delivered as left overs on Saturday so 100 staff got vaccinated quite how they travelled with it, given its vulnerability I am not sure, I will ask him later. He sadly wasnt one of them. They have over 300 staff either isolating or sick and every single ward is affected by covid. I am simply terrified for him.

Thanks Shell. If only I had used clear language in the first place.

The system is going to be tweaked all over the country to try not to have too much wastage. What works in one place might not work in the next - town v village v city. We'll need to be flexible and adaptable, but we will get there one way or another.

Shame about Tim, it must be hard being in a place with people going the extra mile yet be one of those still missing out.