Cyclist refused entry for COVID jab – because facility was drive-through only

Plus if you have room for people to queue in cars, essentially 15-25 feet apart, you have room for three times as many to queue standing six feet apart.

markieteeee wrote:

When I had my jab, someone ahead of me came out and immediately put on a cycle helmet. They advised him to sit down for x minutes (didn't hear how many) as some people have a reaction and it was best to make sure before you put yourself on the road.  I was going to do this anyway as in the past I'd had a vasovagal episode after a flu jab, passing out about 15 minutes later.   Do they advise each motorist to sit in the car for half an hour to make sure?  I realise that this reaction is rare but passing out while driving could have serious consequences. I presume they give clear safety first instructions but the thought of forcing people to drive to a vaccination doesn't sit easily.

When I got my jab, they asked whether I'd driven as that'd mean that I should wait 15 minutes (there was a waiting room for the purpose), but as I'd walked they let me go. As I understand it, any injection has the risks of an adverse reaction so it's not related to this particular jab.

This is as I hoped HP,  so reassuring to know. So presumbly there is a post-vaccination waiting area for cars. 

Where I had my jab, there was an after jab waiting area for people to sit for 15 minutes if they had driven. I'd cycled, and they advised me to do the same (I did).

When I had mine, you had to wait in these perspex cubicles ahead of being taken out to be jabbed.

Afterwards, the woman was going to lead me back there to wait for fifteen minutes; I asked if that was necessary, said I felt fine, and she said to just go on then.

(I was on foot; had walked down before going into the office).

All of us commenting were advised to wait. But none of us drove. Does anyone know anyone who got vaccinated at a drive-through only place? I'm curious how it works now.

All the places offered to me within about 20 miles were hospitals, large GPs or reconfigured sports complexes.

On looking at where all the places are, I'm surprised he didn't just cycle directly to Carmarthen anyway rather then to Swansea first. 21 miles instead of 16 of which two of the extra is the distance he would have had to cycle from the train station to the showground anyway. And if it was because he wasn't sure on the side effects, he could have still taken the train back. Anyway ifs, buts and maybes, still shitty not to alert it was drive through only. 

If you look at a map, you will see that there aren't a lot of big towns closer to Mr Cooper than Swansea.  And a taxi from Ammanford to Carmarthen and back would have been a lot more than £11.

I expect there possibly is a bus to Carmarthen from Ammanford, but he would still have been in the same position as taking his bike.

Still, it is his own fault for living in the countryside and not driving.

Eynsham wrote:

If you look at a map, you will see that there aren't a lot of big towns closer to Mr Cooper than Swansea.  And a taxi from Ammanford to Carmarthen and back would have been a lot more than £11.

I think the OP was talking about taking up the suggestion of paying for a taxi to come to the showgrounds that the "bouncer" mentioned to Mr Cooper, not getting one from Ammanford. 

What about all the football supporters turning up at a match in the team kit? They're not even playing.

zero_trooper wrote:

Slightly off topic, but I also volunteer at a council run COVID testing centre. We can claim 'mileage'. Car users can claim twice as much per mile as their eco-friendly, health boosting, non-polluting, bike using colleagues…

The "approved amount" allowed to be paid by an employer before a benefit is deemed to be arrived at by HMRC is 45p for cars 20p for bikes. It looks as if the NHS has taken rates from there. In reality it is very difficult for one branch of government to pay an amount other than the one, another branch has deemed "fair". Personally I think that rate, if that is what you were paid, is pretty fair and perhaps more generous to cyclists than drivers.

Thank you for that explanation. You're quite correct re the figures, just that I presume that it's the County Council that has taken HMRC's lead and not the NHS.

But if you let one person do it, then everyone will expect to be able to show up on a bicycle and get a jab. Chaos! Madness! Think of the children!

Surprised you didn't pick up on the fact that at any other vaccination place, they are volunteers providing guidance and ensuring a smooth flow but at this place they are "bouncers". 

Well, yes, I did have a little smirk to myself at the idea of Vaccine Bouncers, and wondered if there was a 'VIP entrance' where they let all their mates in to jump the queue.

...and attractive women.

mdavidford wrote:

Well, yes, I did have a little smirk to myself at the idea of Vaccine Bouncers, and wondered if there was a 'VIP entrance' where they let all their mates in to jump the queue.

Slip 'em a fiver and they'll let you in. Just make sure that you are obeying the dress code - no trainers!

Yep, they mention the letters are centrally generated but surely it is not hard to add the words "Drive through only" to any linked to the only site like that if they aren't allowing any other provision. 

I think the point should be to ensure you have a facility that all can reach it is not difficult to arrange a safe passage for pedestrians or cyclists. I assume when they say a drive through that it was not a requirement to hold your arm out of the window whilst some one administered the injection ? Otherwise the driver has to exit their vehicle and walk into a building it is just lazy and wrong thinking by Hywel Dda University Health Board.