Thanks to a number of locals who contacted me to tell me about their vaccination experiences. By all accounts, it is a relatively simple procedure, painless and without side effects. The actual process of booking seems to have a few things to iron out. One reader told us that he had initially received a letter from the NHS in the post inviting him to apply for a Covid-19 vaccination at a centre in the UK giving the NHS link to book an appointment. After completing a number of personal details including postcode he was offered the Epsom vaccination centre with a list of dates to book the appointment. In the end, he was offered an appointment at the start of February which seemed quite a long wait. But more frustratingly, he was then asked to select an appointment for the follow-up vaccination date thirteen weeks later. Having gone through all those stages the computer said there was a problem on the system and he should try to book again next morning. Very irritating!
But later the same day our reader received a text later on his mobile from the Shepperton Health Centre informing him that he could apply for a vaccination appointment at a local centre and a link to book an appointment. This resulted in a link to book at Chertsey Hall vaccination centre, with a choice of times the following day.
He arrived at Chertsey Halls and entered the building without queuing. A lady took his temperature and he was issued with a ticket number and asked to wait. He had to answer a number of question regarding health and Covid-19 awareness. A doctor that saw him and checked that he felt ok with the process, that his general health was good and that he agreed to the vaccination. He was then shown to a place behind a screen where the doctor tasked with the vaccination was. Our reader tells me it was totally painless and simple. He was told the possible side effects of the vaccination and advised me to take a seat in the resting area for 15 minutes to ensure that he was total fit before going home. He was then allowed to leave the centre having assured the staff that he was completely fine. The whole process from leaving home by car in Shepperton to arriving back took one hour.
Another reader said “I went to Chertsey Hall on Wednesday and had my jab and I must congratulate everyone there on how well organised it was. The nurses, doctors and volunteers were so very nice. I felt no side effects and felt positive and reassured that I had it done, so I urge people to take advantage of the offer of a jab.
Both readers said they felt that having a mobile telephone with the text facility available to the Shepperton health Centre certainly made things easier, and the offer of the Chertsey centre alleviated the stress of finding how to get to Epsom and back.
So, the vaccine is coming. Both our readers are in their 80’s. Be assured that your turn will come and that the system is being well run. As long as we all get our jab when offered it, we hope we will see a return to normal life soon.