"Terrible Experience "

Having had my first coronavirus vaccine on 31.10.2021 and second 10.04.2021 at Avondale Health Centre, I was prompted to make an appointment for my booster jab.

I must add that both of my experiences were excellent at Avondale, and I mean everything, from the staff, to the procedure, everything was managed and delivered excellently and I couldn't be happier.

Anyway, I booked the booster, as instructed by my GP for 25.10.2021 at 12:50pm, of which I was on time for.

I was processed in the line (name taken, temperature etc.) and then directed inside.

I got to the nurse station and was asked about any conditions that I have. I do have a clotting disorder and had asthma as a child, despite this I was told that I was ineligible for the jab due to my age.

It is the case in my experience that bodies delivering vaccine look for reasons to administer the vaccine rather than not to - unfortunately they looked for every reason under the sun not to give me the vaccine, despite me being an NHS staff member - to emphasise- a real NHS employee, not a private company like the GP Federation Ltd.

I also mentioned that members of my family are front line workers , but again, they looked for reasons to make me ineligible.

I was then informed that there are multiple people that this has happened to- i.e. prompted to make an appointment by their GP despite being, in their opinion anyway, "ineligible".

I then asked why wasn't there any notification or warning that this could be the case and the "clinical lead" arrogantly stated that "we aren't vaccinating you today, leave!"

While the staff were "checking" with their colleagues, during this time, I was made to stand at the back of the hall as if I had done something wrong! I felt like a criminal.

I am more taken aback by the language used as alluded to above and the arrogant, self-important and omnipotent tone it was spoken.

This is sadly another example of using coronavirus as an excuse to abuse and exercise the most minute authority that individuals are afforded.

Things like this should not be in the hands of private companies.

I am disgraced and appalled for many reasons, moreover the attitude of the individual mentioned above and the way they handled the matter, as well as the way they made me feel. I am not trying to portray myself as a victim, however I have never had such an experience before.

If the comment from the staff member is true regarding people being incorrectly prompted to make an appointment but are then rejected with me not being the first, then that will further damage the image of the NHS in the public's perception, and specifically GPs, which is not exactly great currently.