Help please with booking Covid booster before major op

littlewren

I understand that over 75s, care home residents and health care workers can book their Autumn boosters from Monday, with others being able to in October/November.  I have a query I'm hoping someone can help me with please regarding this booster.

I am 69 and due to have a hip replacement in November.  I've booked my flu jab for the end of September so I now need to know when I'm going to have my Covid booster and I'm not getting anywhere when I ring 119.  My problem is that if my booster invite comes just a week before the op (for instance) I don't really want to be having it thenn as I've felt rough after each one, so not a great way to feel before going in for a major op.  Plus I understand that it takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to provide some kind of immunity from Covid so that wouldn't be enough time and I've also been told by a healthcare worker that after having a major operation your immune system doesn't work as well afterwards for a while and if I was to catch Covid I could be more seriously ill.

All they could tell me on 119 was that I can complete a housebound form from my GP, then contact 119 for them to arrange the vaccine. But then this brings another problem.  I'll be recovering, trying to get over the op, feeling pretty rubbish I imagine for a while and then potentially feeling more rubbish having to have the Covid booster!  

I contacted my surgery, they couldn't help as they said they're not getting involved with the Covid boosters this year.

I don't think the person (well, persons, I've rung twice) understood what I meant, plus there was the usual language barrier.

Has anyone any ideas please as to how I can sort this?

Many thanks in advance.

silvercar

If this round is anything like last time, your GP should be able to book you in. I don’t think your surgery can say they aren’t getting involved as they should be identifying which of their patients qualify for early vaccination. If your surgery is really unhelpful I would consider turning up at vaccine centres and pleading your case, pharmacies are often more helpful.