More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A mum-of-two has been fighting to get her Covid jab after health records said she had already had it.
Nikki Webster, 31, was sent a letter from the NHS on February 18 telling her to book a slot because she had Type 1 diabetes and was in a vulnerable group.
But when she went online she was automatically directed to a second dose because the computer insisted she had already received her first first jab.
The mum from New Road, Minster, Sheppey, called her GP's surgery, Minster Medical Centre at Sheppey Community Hospital, which was concerned but unable to help.
After drawing a blank with the NHS helpline 111, Nikki approached Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson.
Her mother Torrain Treslove from Sittingbourne said: "We are still waiting for a reply."
She added: "We also tried speaking to health secretary Matt Hancock, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and we even approached ITV's This Morning and BBC's Watchdog. But no one came back."
Then they contacted us. Nikki said: "My medical records stated I had received my first dose on January 23 but there was no location or time, just who administered it and a reference number. But it was not me as I had not been eligible on this date.
"Someone must have input a wrong digit when entering their NHS number and it come up as mine which was blocking me from having one. I wanted the vaccine but could not get it until the error was rectified.
"I have two young girls. Scarlet is six and goes to primary school. Maya is under a year and I am still breastfeeding her."
Her mother pleaded: "The longer she waits for this to be resolved the more vulnerable it makes her and her family. We cannot find a way to rectify this issue. We are at the end of our tether. There is no information or help. We need this sorted so she can begin to get back to some sort of normality without this hanging over her."
Then a breakthrough happened. Nikki received a text message from the Hathaway Medical Centre in Chippenham, Wiltshire, which is 150 miles away, over the Easter holiday reminding her to book her second jab. Nikki said: "I phoned the surgery as soon as I could and they managed to correct the error."
But by that time, her own surgery was on second jabs and unable to fit her in. So Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which overseas the county's health service, intervened and arranged for Nikki to be injected with the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday last week at Minster.
Nikki said: "I was delighted but when I went to book my second jab for 12 weeks' time my records now say I am ineligible. I guess I will have to fight for that, too."
Her mum said: "This should not be happening in this digital world. I cannot believe she is the only one this has happened to."
Gordon Henderson said: "Unfortunately, because of data protection legislation, I am unable to comment on individual cases except to confirm that we have been acting on behalf of Nicola and were able to ensure she received her first dose of Coronavirus vaccine. If she still has a problem then I would urge her, or her mother, to contact me again."
He added: "In general terms, most people who receive their first dose are not able to book their second dose, they simply have to wait until they are notified by their GP that an appointment has been made for them."
Kent and Medway CCG said it was unable to comment on individual cases but said: "If a patient has had their first dose at a GP-run service, they will be invited back for their second dose in around 12 weeks. If they have booked via the national booking system then they should also be able to book their second dose in the same way online or by calling 119."
Nikki is due her next dose in July.
