I had a bilateral mastectomy & 3 sentinel lymph nodes removed from each arm in August ‘21. Covid booster due this month & enquired at GP reception what to do about requesting leg jab as I’ve been advised to avoid future injections in arms & there is nowhere on the NHS on-line application to request leg jab!
GP Receptionist advised I contact 119 for advice as my GP not doing booster jabs . I rang 119 who told me shouldn’t have contacted them as it was up to GP or my hospital consultant to facilitate leg jab as the on-line application will only direct me to a pharmacist or Walk-in centre who only administer jabs in arms. Rang hospital BC nurse & she referred me back to GP as hospital not offering booster jabs.
Any advice please? I want the booster but am worried about lymphoedema. Thank you
My reply disappeared! Hi Wren21, I have the same problem. For 12 years I had flu jabs in the leg from GP and pharmacist with no difficulty. Covid 1&2 were also problem free, probably because they were given by qualified nurses. Different story with the booster. I was met by an inexperienced vaccinator who panicked and started talking about my going to a special centre. I was furious and insisted that she find someone more qualified. After a long wait she came back with a paramedic who taught her as she gave me the jab. They have to have properly qualified staff there in case someone has a reaction. Just poor training and no need for it. Don’t let them mess you about, turn up and insist. Good luck x
Onwards and flatwards (don't do hills) and keep walking if you can!
Well what would they do if an arm amputee turned up? Equality Act means they’d have to make reasonable adjustments. I’d just turn up and demand, like others have said. They’ll be someone extra qualified on site to assist if your vaccinator isn’t trained
Hi, & thank you. I managed my flu jab in my bum but not before the pharmacist at the GP refused to do it stating I had to see my GP so appointment made only to be told by GP to make appointment with the nurse. 1 week later I turn up & was told the 'nurse' was only qualified for arm jabs & she had to go & poach a nurse from elsewhere! Re: the Covid booster, I emailed my GP before I saw your reply. She was as frustrated as I but as they don't offer the booster jab she's had to write to my consultant to ask his advice. It's like a game of tennis!! I'm not confrontational but I think I'll have to bite the bullet. What happens if I'm referred to a pharmacist/chemist where there isn't a nurse on hand I wonder.
Hi & thank you. I totally agree. The MacMillan nurse said they have so many patients this is affecting & it just hasn't been taken into consideration. As I said previously I'm not confrontational but I think I'll have to bite the bullet. We shouldn't have to. With my surgery fairly recent I just don't want to take any risk if I can avoid it. Having it in my arm apparently introduces a 10% risk of lymphodema which is 10% too much & as it differs from person to person. this is not a difinitive figure. What happens if I'm referred to a pharmacist/chemist where there isn't a nurse on hand I wonder?
Wren21 it is disgraceful that you are being treated like this. Unfortunately we all have to be confrontational these days. I kicked up a big stink and they had to sort me out. Good luck. X
Onwards and flatwards (don't do hills) and keep walking if you can!
Hi, I checked with a friend who works in a vaccination centre and she advises they are allowed to inject into arm and thigh, hope this helps x
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