We had our covid booster over a month ago at a local pharmacy, they were supposed to be doing flu as well but they ran out before our appt. So we finally go to arranging this at the GP surgery for this afternoon at 16:20. We got there in good time and filled in our forms and waited, there was one other woman who went into the nurse and out again, and we waited, there were no other patients. Eventually my wife enquired to be told the doctor was held up in traffic and they couldn't do the jabs without one present. Eventually someone presumably the doctor, bustled in and disappeared into a consulting room. We were eventually given our jabs nearly an hour after arrival. Two questions: 1. Why can pharmacists do this if there has to be a doctor present? ( My guess is the person doing this at the GP is NOT a registered nurse. 2. Why is it so hard to get a GP appointment when (and this is the second time i've noted this) there are practically no patients around waiting?
They could have been busy doing telephone appointments or home visits (OK maybe that's a long shot), or if it's a partnership that has more than one site the GPs might have been at a different site.
Is there a GP present at the COVID vaccination centres at all times? Ours was offering flu vaccines as well but we'd already had ours. The person who actually gave our vaccines was in a St. John's Ambulance uniform but I suppose she could have been an early-retired doctor or nurse, or one of the other people there might have been.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I have just received an email from the GP’s surgery to say my recent flu vaccine was stored at the incorrect temperature and therefore the vaccine might not be fully effective. I have been invited to have another jab in two weeks.
Making an assumption here that the first vaccine still has some efficacy, will I be even more protected by having the double dose?
I have just received an email from the GP’s surgery to say my recent flu vaccine was stored at the incorrect temperature and therefore the vaccine might not be fully effective. I have been invited to have another jab in two weeks.
Making an assumption here that the first vaccine still has some efficacy, will I be even more protected by having the double dose?
Given that they made an error storing the vaccine yet administered it anyway...my lack of confidence in their professionalism & competence would steer me away from having 'another go'. If I was that lax in my job I'd get the sack.
I have just received an email from the GP’s surgery to say my recent flu vaccine was stored at the incorrect temperature and therefore the vaccine might not be fully effective. I have been invited to have another jab in two weeks.
Making an assumption here that the first vaccine still has some efficacy, will I be even more protected by having the double dose?
Given that they made an error storing the vaccine yet administered it anyway...my lack of confidence in their professionalism & competence would steer me away from having 'another go'. If I was that lax in my job I'd get the sack.
It may not have been incompetence at all. Could have been a faulty fridge? The fact that they were honest about it and have offered another dose would tell me they were being professional, after all they could have said nothing!
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
I have just received an email from the GP’s surgery to say my recent flu vaccine was stored at the incorrect temperature and therefore the vaccine might not be fully effective. I have been invited to have another jab in two weeks.
Making an assumption here that the first vaccine still has some efficacy, will I be even more protected by having the double dose?
Given that they made an error storing the vaccine yet administered it anyway...my lack of confidence in their professionalism & competence would steer me away from having 'another go'. If I was that lax in my job I'd get the sack.
It may not have been incompetence at all. Could have been a faulty fridge? The fact that they were honest about it and have offered another dose would tell me they were being professional,after all they could have said nothing
Or they could've checked the fridge?...just sayin'
“ We have specialist vaccine storage fridges that are cooled by an internal electric fan unit. Monitoring has shown that for a short period the fan was not functioning correctly for one of the fridges, which meant that some vaccines stored in the lower part of the fridge unit were exposed to temperatures below 2 degrees. Vaccine should be stored in a temperature range between 2 and 8 degrees.
• Medicines Information – University Hospital Leicester
• Screening and Immunisation Team, NHS England – Midlands
• The Care Quality Commission
We are now following the UK Health Security Guidance (Vaccine incident guidance Responding to errors in vaccine storage, handling and administration Republished 6 July 2022)
In line with the advice that has been received there is a high likelihood of a suboptimal response to the vaccine that you received, and you may not gain full protection from this vaccination.
We would therefore recommend that you have a repeat vaccination as soon as possible. You will receive a text or email link by Wednesday 16th November to book an appointment in one of our dedicated clinics which will run between Monday 21st and Thursday 24th November.”
It seems to me the surgery has handled the matter with professionalism and transparency.
Posts
1. Why can pharmacists do this if there has to be a doctor present? ( My guess is the person doing this at the GP is NOT a registered nurse.
2. Why is it so hard to get a GP appointment when (and this is the second time i've noted this) there are practically no patients around waiting?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Making an assumption here that the first vaccine still has some efficacy, will I be even more protected by having the double dose?
Could have been a faulty fridge?
The fact that they were honest about it and have offered another dose would tell me they were being professional, after all they could have said nothing!
“ We have specialist vaccine storage fridges that are cooled by an internal electric fan unit. Monitoring has shown that for a short period the fan was not functioning correctly for one of the fridges, which meant that some vaccines stored in the lower part of the fridge unit were exposed to temperatures below 2 degrees. Vaccine should be stored in a temperature range between 2 and 8 degrees.
We have involved the following bodies:
• Seqirus: The vaccine manufacturer
• Medicines Information – University Hospital Leicester
• Screening and Immunisation Team, NHS England – Midlands
• The Care Quality Commission
We are now following the UK Health Security Guidance (Vaccine incident guidance Responding to errors in vaccine storage, handling and administration Republished 6 July 2022)
In line with the advice that has been received there is a high likelihood of a suboptimal response to the vaccine that you received, and you may not gain full protection from this vaccination.
We would therefore recommend that you have a repeat vaccination as soon as possible. You will receive a text or email link by Wednesday 16th November to book an appointment in one of our dedicated clinics which will run between Monday 21st and Thursday 24th November.”
It seems to me the surgery has handled the matter with professionalism and transparency.