Five days ago, the vaccination roll out in the U.K. was going great guns. The number of doses stuck into arms each day was doubling. It looked like every adult would have a chance at a shot by June. Then four days ago, out of the blue, the NHS announced that there would be a vaccine shortage in April. The under 50s would be delayed a month. This disappointed me hugely. At 48 years of age, I was quite literally next in the queue.
The Brexity half of the country pointed hysterical, accusing fingers at the EU. They screamed something about Global Britain. The empire may have been mentioned. And of course there was a goodly amount of spittle. And then they went quiet, momentarily at least, when it became apparent that it was India withholding vaccine exports. Not the EU. HMS Global Britain found itself shipwrecked on its first outing.
Today, the mood has changed again. My mood, anyway. I received my invitation for a Covid jab, at my local surgery. I booked straight away and will stroll down there for my 10am appointment next Friday. I’ve managed to sneak in before the shortage hits, which is good news. I’ll have my second jab before June is done. Mrs P, however, lives at the other end of the 40s age group. She may have to wait a little longer. But she’ll get there.
The Mexile 
I read Moderna will be in the U.K. in April. Maybe things will move faster then.
My second jab is in April. I felt foggy for a few days after my first. Hoping my second won’t be any worse..
I know several people that are reluctant to get a shot. Some for political reasons some personal. Any anti-vaxers there?
LikeLike
We’re due for Moderna next month, but not a huge quantity of it. Other vaccines will come along soon too. But I’ll be getting either a Pfizer or (most likely) Astra Zeneca shot. I’m not fussed which.
We have an anti vax community here. They’re as crazy as your anti-vaxxers. But it’s a much smaller community. Thankfully.
LikeLike
They had recently started with the J&J one shot in my area when I was given an opening but the place I went only offered Moderna and Pfizer…I was given the latter, (that day not a choice), so 3 weeks to my next.
LikeLike
My healthy next door neighbours -early forties were very surprised to get theirs the other day. I did wonder if those of us called by our own surgeries are benefitting from them going great guns through their patient lists. Mine is set to do 3000 this weekend.
LikeLike
Mrs P is early 40s. As early as you get….exactly 40. So I hope our surgery continues going great guns for the next ten days and get to her before the supply drys up…
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are in a similar boat, we were told that due to unforeseen circumstances, ie delays in Brussels etc that we probably wouldn’t get a jab until possibly September. However now they seem to have got an injection of jabs from the US that haven’t been approved by their FDA and both we and Mexico will be getting a couple of million vaccines in the near future. I suspect that their disposal date is coming due and they need to trade it off for a future product.
So we will now get ours by next month.. may be!
But will we have a choice, brown bread with butter or a scone with cream?
I would have expected Gary, that being an essential worker you would have been one of the first on the “list” for a jab. An acquaintance of mine is a delivery man and got his jab last week, I believe he lives down near Cornwall. Hopefully your Mrs P gets hers soon too!
LikeLike
There are a lot of essential workers. But I think the government made the decision that it would be easier and quicker to crack on by age rather than start mucking around with occupational prioritisation. I think that argument holds water and also saves opening a can of worms. With an age based system, a 50 year old is not going to argue that he should get his before a 60 year old. Imagine the shit show when bus drivers start arguing they go before teachers etc.
LikeLike
I got my second shot on Wednesday. I had a sore arm the next day, but that was it. Here in Ohio over 22% of the population has had at least one shot. I am in the 65 – 70 age group, but last Friday it was opened up to anyone over the age of 17.
LikeLike
A sore arm is as bad as it gets for most people, I think. A few take a slight turn for the worse. I’m hoping I’ll be in the former group. But I’d rather be in the latter group than catch the virus.
LikeLike