Booster booking system ‘causing confusion’
Frustration as NHS website and 119 helpline accused of sending patients seeking jabs ‘from pillar to post’
THE NHS system for booking booster jabs is preventing patients arranging their vaccination, it has emerged, despite the Health Secretary’s pledge that anyone eligible can use the website.
Sajid Javid confirmed on Wednesday that over-50s can book their Covid booster within a week of becoming eligible, even if they have not received an invite from the NHS.
“If you haven’t been invited within a week of reaching that six-month milestone then please, get on to the National Booking Service and book online or phone 119 [the vaccination helpline],” Mr Javid said at a press conference from Downing Street.
But eligible people said the website did not allow them to make an appointment and called on Mr Javid to fix it. The NHS website states that patients will be contacted when they become eligible to book, contrary to Mr Javid’s comments yesterday.
Daisy Cooper, a Liberal Democrat MP, questioned Maggie Throup, the vaccine minister, on the issue yesterday and said her constituents were “absolutely desperate” to get their boosters.
“When they get on to the national booking service, it says that they’re not eligible if they haven’t received an invitation letter, and if they call 119, 119 is telling them that it can’t override the system. So will the minister please urgently look into this and fix the system?” she said.
Ms Throup said she would “look into” the issue. “If there is a problem with the system, we will get it fixed.”
Maureen Stewart Jones, a retired teacher, said that although she had her second dose more than six months ago, she had yet to be invited for her booster and had been told by the NHS website she was “not eligible” despite the helpline saying she should book online.
“They are sending me from pillar to post,” she said. “I went online, added all my details, but I was told I am not eligible [to book the booster] and they suggested I get in touch with 119,” she said. “I am 81, I had my second injection on April 14 which is over six months now. There’s no real evidence that I am going to be called. I am just being told I am not eligible which I don’t understand.”
She said Mr Javid “obviously doesn’t know anything about” the situation “otherwise he would know people cannot do it online”.
Ms Stewart Jones, who lives in St Helens, said she has taken all advised precautions during the pandemic and continues to wear a mask and avoid crowded places.
“I don’t go out as much as I used to… I’ve looked after myself, I’ve been very, very careful. I don’t want to jeopardise that… I just want my booster,” she said.
Other members of the public expressed their frustration at the online system. Rick Wiggans wrote on Twitter: “OK [Sajid Javid], if you want me to have my booster, best make one available. Am now more than six months after second jab. Try to book, you can’t.
Another Twitter user wrote: “I have waited more than the full six months and I can’t book a booster. The website says I am not eligible. I am.”
Edward Argar, the health minister, said yesterday people no longer needed to wait to be invited to get their booster coronavirus vaccine if the right amount of time had passed.
“We’ve made a change … it’s not just about waiting to be invited,” he told Sky News. “If you get to the six months plus one week, go on the national booking system and book yourself in.”