No Rapid LFTs available?

Rony

Hi all,

So I caught Covid last Tuesday and I have been using my LFT pack that I had in store. Now I am almost out I am trying to order a new pack and have been trying to do so for the past week online, but it keeps saying there aren't any available.

1) Anyone else experiencing this. Is there a shortage atm?
2) Are there any other options? Private companies? Or will going to Tesco/Boots pharmacy work? Long time ago I went, but you needed to have ordered on the Gov website beforehand. Is it still the same, as there isn't the same webpage online anymore.

Thanks

Misslayed

I tried to order at 08.15 on Monday, none available, kept refreshing every few minutes and my order was accepted at about 08.37. Same yesterday but no joy all day, tried one more time at 20.45 and order accepted. So it seems it's just a matter of timing. Keep trying. 

lisyloo

You might find some at a pharmacy but having an order number from the website does not reserve you a pack. So go if it’s on your way e..g supermarket, but don’t go a long way out of your way.

elsien

Keep trying at different times. Showed as out of stock at 9 am on Wednesday, but I was able to order a pack a couple of hours later, 

With pharmacies you still need to request the code first, but they don’t reserve so there’s still no guarantee when you get there.

It’s people trying to stock up on the free ones before they become chargeable in April.

Andy_L

Rony said:

Hi all,

So I caught Covid last Tuesday and I have been using my LFT pack that I had in store. Now I am almost out I am trying to order a new pack and have been trying to do so for the past week online, but it keeps saying there aren't any available.

1) Anyone else experiencing this. Is there a shortage atm?
2) Are there any other options? Private companies? Or will going to Tesco/Boots pharmacy work? Long time ago I went, but you needed to have ordered on the Gov website beforehand. Is it still the same, as there isn't the same webpage online anymore.

Thanks

Not bother testing? and either carry on as normal or, if you feel its the right thing to do, self isolate for 10 days (or 5 days if you hold back 2 LFTs & both test neg) as per the old requirements

MattMattMattUK

Rony said:

Hi all,

So I caught Covid last Tuesday and I have been using my LFT pack that I had in store. Now I am almost out I am trying to order a new pack and have been trying to do so for the past week online, but it keeps saying there aren't any available.

1) Anyone else experiencing this. Is there a shortage atm?

Probably almost everyone, compulsory testing and isolation has ended, free tests are due to come in an end in thirteen days anyway and stocks have been low for more than a month now. Do not expect to get any more free tests.

Rony said:

2) Are there any other options? Private companies? Or will going to Tesco/Boots pharmacy work? Long time ago I went, but you needed to have ordered on the Gov website beforehand. Is it still the same, as there isn't the same webpage online anymore.

Thanks

You can buy them from Boots or Superdrug, as well as other pharmacies The all do the same thing, but if you want them going forward you have to pay for them, the reality is if I were you I would not bother. 

https://www.boots.com/health-pharmacy/electrical-health-diagnostics/dna-test-kits

SoozyJ22

My local library has some so might be worth checking the ones in your area. 

silvercar

Follow @LFT_alert on Twitter to see when they are available to order. Generally more appear early morning and at 8pm each night.

Rony

Thank you all,

I went to Tesco Pharmacy and they had some free ones!

Boots also sell them 5 for £9,

Thanks!

I tested negative today woop

rosieprimrose

I have managed to order a pack just now, at 7am, after half an hour of refreshing the page. Worth persevering early morning it would seem. 

unforeseen

I never have a problem ordering them. Maybe it's because it's flagged in the system that I am immunocompromised (CEV during pandemic)