Derbyshire people currently ineligible for coronavirus vaccine urged not to book appointment for jab

As previously reported, Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins voiced concerns about people using an online booking system to ‘jump the queue’ for coronavirus vaccines.

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A spokesperson for Joined Up Care Derbyshire (JUCD) – which brings together NHS groups and local councils in the county – said: “Unfortunately, some members of the public have been attempting to book Covid-19 vaccinations without first being offered an appointment by their GP.

“We believe this is due to a misunderstanding and hope the public can help us to ensure the most vulnerable people are able to get their vaccinations as quickly as possible.

“Some primary care networks use a system called Swiftqueue to arrange the date and time of vaccination appointments for patients they have identified as being among the highest priority to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

“A link is sent to patients for them to book an appointment time and date that suits them.

“However, we are aware that these links have occasionally been shared with people who have not yet been offered appointments.

“Some of those people have subsequently booked appointments at the Winding Wheel theatre vaccination site in Chesterfield.

“However, we would ask that people not use Swiftqueue unless they have been offered an appointment by their GP.

“Obtaining a vaccination in this way, when you do not yet qualify, may mean a vulnerable person is delayed in receiving their vaccination.

“Doing so also places an extra burden on already busy staff and volunteers at vaccination sites.”

Vaccination site staff are now asking all patients for evidence that they have been offered an appointment.

Patients can provide this in a number of ways:

- If you were sent a letter by your GP offering an appointment, bring this with you

- If you were sent a text message by your GP offering an appointment, show the original message on your phone

If you have a booking but do not have physical evidence that you have been offered a vaccination, you will need to provide evidence that you are one of the following:

- Aged at least 80 with an official form of identity such as a passport or driver’s licence

- A frontline healthcare worker, with your official identity badge or, in some cases, a pay slip

- A clinically extremely vulnerable person (not including pregnant women or those aged 16 or under), with a shielding letter or other official verification. Site staff will also use their discretion for people in this category and JUCD ask that people be patient and understanding about the pressures these staff are under as they try to ensure fairness for all

Brendan Casey, chief executive of Swiftqueue, said: “Anyone who books to get the vaccine fraudulently will be turned away – full stop.

“If you do get an invitation by a shared link dishonestly to make an appointment, I am asking that you don’t – as you will be wasting healthcare workers’ valuable time and you won’t be vaccinated.

“You must be eligible to be vaccinated to receive the vaccine.”

MORE: Toby Perkins MP calls for Covid-19 vaccines to be redirected to Chesterfield amid supply and distribution concerns

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