Wells Park practice and Covid vaccinations

[Robin Orton]

Although I myself am still only on the remotest verge of middle age, I hope it won't be too long before I' m invited to have a Covid vaccination. Does anyone know whether the over-80s who are, like me, registered with the Wells Park practice have been invited to be vaccinated, and, if so, where? Jenner Centre? Nothing on the practice website, so far as I can see. I hope that when my time comes I'm not going to have to traipse off to the Excel centre in Docklands, which seems to be the nearest to us of the new vaccination hubs which have just been announced.

[Parker1970]

I think it's going to depend on which actual vaccine they are going to issue... the PFizer one has to be stored at -72 degrees which not all GP surgeries could do.

My mum's neighbour who lives on Leigham Court Road in Streatham got sent to Kennington for her vaccination. So an 82 year old had to get two buses there and back... twice.. to get vaccinated.

I've told my mum who is 71 that if she gets the same place, I will drive her, wait in the nearest supermarket car park until she is done and pick her up again. I want her to get the vaccine but I certainly don't want her taking buses to do it.

[stuart]

Good post Parker. We've had 9 months to prepare for this yet it has all the hallmarks of a last minute panic.

It was obvious that we would start with the frailest part of our population a good section who would need assistance to get to the centre and the remainder shouldn't be exposing themselves to public transport and preferably be able to get there by other means. That in practical terms means ensuring there is adequate parking nearby - even if they have to suspend parking for everybody else. (A ticket issued with the appointment you can put on the windscreen could make that enforceable)

Also many in Sydenham probably would prefer driving (or being driven) 45 minutes to Epsom to a 10 minute bus trip to a two hour queue in Forest Hill.

Things should progressively get easier as they work their way down the age range. But one should recall the constrained amount of vaccine available up to now (~300,000/week) should have given them room for manoeuvre with the 80+ in a system designed for 2 million+/week.

Stuart

[Sydenham]

Just received the newsletter from Wells Park Practice and it says they will start Covid vaccines on January 16th at the Sydenham Green practice - Holmshaw Close. Extract included below:

"We will start the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations to our patients from Saturday 16th January 2021. We will be working with a number of other local GP Practices to deliver the flu vaccination from Sydenham Green Group Practice on Holmshaw Close. Please help us and do not contact the Practice or other NHS services to get an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination – we will contact you. For further information please visit https://selondonccg.nhs.uk/what-we-do/c ... 19-vaccine

If you are in a priority group, you will receive an invitation to book an appointment. For most people this will be a text from the practice.

If you do not have a mobile phone, you will receive a letter from the practice. This is going to be a long-term programme and it will likely take until at least Spring before all high-risk groups have been offered a COVID-19 vaccine. Please continue to follow the national guidance to control the virus and save lives. Help us control the virus and save lives.

Priority Cohort Sequence
 Older people’s care homes residents and staff
 People 80 years of age and over, and healthcare and social care workers
 People 75 years of age and over
 People 70 years of age and over
 People 65 years of age and over
 Adults under 65 years of age at high risk due to medical conditions
 Adults under 65 years of age at moderate risk due to medical conditions
 People 60 years of age and over
 People 55 years of age and over
 People 50 years of age and over
 Key workers and the rest of the population."

[The Clown]

The cohort groupings shown here are slightly different to the Gov issued groupings.

[Parker1970]

An update to my earlier post. My mum who is 71 has got her appointment for tomorrow (Thurs 14th) for her first jab. At a surgery in Streatham so not far to go at all.

I'm surprised she got it early as I thought we were still in the 80/85 age group, but she is diabetic so that may have something to do with it. But either way, there is definitely more places available than just a couple of weeks ago when her neighbour had to get two buses for her jab.

[stuart]

Careful Parker1970 - you are generating jab-envy here but good luck. I'm afraid 95% of the population will soon reckon they should be in the priority queue. But for those of us who used to take the 'non-speedy boarding' option with Easyjet are used to being a messed around upfront but get to the same destination anyway.

But I am working my way through my partners medical books to see if I can find some helpful symptoms that might elevate my status ... suggestions?

Stuart

[stuart]

Some good news. The daily stats show a heavy ramp up this week. By yesterday they the daily rate for 1st vaccination was knocking the 2.5 million/week target the country needs to make tits target for doing 15 million, that's all the over 70s and healthcare, by February 15th. More vaccination centres are coming so provided the manufacturers can produce the stuff we can all be jabbed.

2021-01-15 324233
2021-01-14 316694
2021-01-13 278943
2021-01-12 207661

Cautionary note: Pfizer is having a production hiccup while they restructure therir production lines. Promised deliveries are going to be short to EU countries in Feb/March. Our government prefers to remain silent on its expected deliveries - though the EU has more clout so one would expect us to suffer as well.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55666399

Stuart

[Robin Orton]

My wife and I (both in our seventies) have been booked in for an appointment tomorrow afternoon at Bell Green,

[JGD]

Good news.

Hope everything goes smoothly and on time.

[Robin Orton]

It did, thanks. All very efficient - in and out in 25 minutes, including the 15 minutes wait afterwards to check for allergic reactions - but no stress. Everyone, clinical staff and volunteer stewards, very friendly and polite. Pfizer vaccine.Thank God for socialised medicine!

The only thing I wasn't expecting was that I had to take my shirt off, so that the jab could go in my shoulder.

[JGD]

Great to hear your news that it all went well, Robin.

Hope you both don't have to wait overly long for the follow up.

[stuart]

Great news. My partner was done (Pfizer) this morning at Sydenham Green (Healthcare group). Yesterday I got my invite from Sydenham Green. Later in the day I got another from Guys. For a moment I thought I would go for one in each arm but elected just to go Sydenham Green on Saturday. I'm Group 4 but maybe a health issue elevated my status?

Bad news is our vaccination minister is reported that he wants to select the next groups 'by instinct'. Cripes - can't the politicians leave this to the professionals aka the maligned experts. The Home Secretary was pushing for the police, the unions are saying teachers should come first. Looks like anybody with a lobby wants to be a priority - leaving those without at the back of the queue - as usual.

This is primarily a Public Health Emergency not a Party Political Roadshow. Buck out. You've done enough harm to life and the economy already. Can't you ever learn the only useful voices at press conferences are those standing either side of the protagonist?

Stuart

[The Scorpion]

I had my 1st vaccination on Monday at Sydenham Green Health Centre (as a Healthcare worker and SGGP patient) and, like Robin, found everything ran smoothly and quickly. In, done and out in under 25 minutes. Well done to all involved.

[Robin Orton]

Just had our invitation for our second jabs. Booked for Good Friday afternoon at Sydenham Green.

[stuart]

We too had our second dose invitations from Sydenham Green today. Click on text, complete birth date, choose slot (April 8th), click, text pings back confirmation. All done in 60 seconds. I've spent nearly that many years in IT and I have to say, I gasped.

Overall great thanks to Kate Bingham for procurement and NHS for delivery. Two programmes that meshed brilliantly together. Is this a first for our government of any hue?

Stuart

[Pally]

Can I ask ..did those of you invited for the second jab have the Pfizer or the AZ? Wondering if timescales might be different for the two types of Vaccine. ...?

[Robin Orton]

My wife's and my first jab was Pfizer, so am expecting the second one will be too.