"Covid vaccination centre"

I am a healthcare worker and recently received an invitation to make an appointment for my covid booster.  I checked that 6 months had passed since my last vaccination and booked an appointment online (and it was a very positive, straightforward process).  However, at the entrance I was met a nurse chatting to two security guards from the shopping centre where the vaccination centre was based.  In front of the two security guards, they asked me which dose I was attending for.  When I replied it was my third, they wouldn't let me in unless I told them the dates of my other two vaccines.  I said I couldn't recall without looking it up, but I had an appointment.  I was told this wasn't good enough as some people with appointments were attending within the wrong time frame and they insisted I told her when my last vaccine was before they would let me in.  I said I'd have to look it up so instead showed them my appointment confirmation.  They came across as rude and sarcastic and told me it didn't matter that I had an appointment, as it still might be within the wrong timeframe.  I genuinely wasn't sure if they were going to let me in, despite having booked an appointment in advance.  They eventually relented and said the team inside would need check.  Once inside, I had no issues at all.  The nurse administering the vaccine was able to bring up my notes and check that I had correctly booked an appointment, prior to administering me my vaccine.

As a clinician who has worked in the health service for 11 years and also completed public health training and a dissertation on vaccine hesitancy, I am incredibly concerned by the difficulty I had even entering the vaccination centre.  Surely we are wanting to encourage people to attend for their vaccine and then also return for follow up doses?  The nurse actually reduced me to tears by the time I made it inside to check-in with the admin staff (who were absolutely wonderful).  As someone attending, with an appointment, I don't understand why it was so difficult for me to get through the front entrance?  Also, as someone who has also worked in administering the vaccine, I am fully aware that the actual vaccinator is the one responsible for checking dates so I don't understand why I was questioned about this before even in the door?  Lastly, I am appalled to have been asked confidential questions in a shopping centre, in front of two strangers, as well as feeling accused of making my appointment inappropriately - it was quite humiliating.  If it was necessary to ask me confidential questions prior to letting me inside, then this should have been done somewhere privately.  To question me like this in front of two other people and reduce me to tears when I was simple attending a pre-booked appointment is not acceptable.  I would never expect to hold a consultation with my patients in the waiting room or a corridor, and I would not expect to try and turn someone away who has a valid appointment.

Aside from this, I do want to highlight that the rest of the experience was excellent.  From the compassionate receptionist, to the staff nurse and HCA who checked my notes and administered my vaccinations (I got my flu vaccine too which was a pleasant surprise!).   We chatted about gardening - if it is possible to feedback to them directly then please let them know that after the encounter I had on the way in, I appreciated their kindness and friendliness and their professionalism.  The team manning the seating areas were equally as professional.

Overall, the experience could have been very positive.  I do however worry that I am not the only one who encountered this difficulty on the door. I would be grateful if this could be fed-back as I really don't think this was an appropriate way to be treated - although I found it upsetting on a personal level, I am mostly concerned about the impact that treating people like this might have on vaccine uptake.