Flu vaccine and allergies

[PolarCub]

First off, yes could speak to my GP about this, but I'm wondering if there's anyone else in a similar situation and what arrangements their GP's have made.

I have multiple allergies - Main one's for this situation are Anaphylaxis to peanuts, egg, cows milk and latex. With latex being my most severe and problematic (including latex in needle cap)
I have multiple health conditions and take several medications. I have a tendency to have rare and not expected reactions to many medications.
At my previous GP's if I needed an injection (flu, steroid etc) then I would have the injection and have to wait for approx 3 - 4 hours, and the doctor checking every 10 mins, to make sure of no untoward reactions.
When I was having treatment at Dermatology (hospital based); their protocol for me was - two doctors on duty, sat in open area, checked every 10 mins, and with the crash cart next to me and in the department for 4 hours.

I moved to a different GP Surgery approx 2 years ago, and to be honest they don't fill me with confidence at the best of times and I have chosen not to request a flu jab for the last two years, but in light of the current Covid situation, it's probably wise to have a flu jab!

So does anyone else had to have arrangements like I've previously had and how is it being handled now?
Obviously none of us want to be in contact with anybody for too long and all the PPE and sanitizing that needs to be done etc

I am in Scotland and some things are done a bit differently - but looking to see if anyone (patient or medic) is doing currently

And prob needs to be said - but no I'm not a snowflake, or looking for special attention etc - actually I'd rather not of had to go through the treatments I've had to, or to have had the precautions that have been taken before etc etc

[FourPlasticRings]

Crikey, OP, poor you! I've no experience of it, but am posting to bump for you. A question though- I'm not a medical expert, and sorry if I'm misreading your concerns here, but doesn't anaphylaxis develop rapidly, typically within 5-30 minutes of exposure, rendering a four hour wait somewhat unnecessary?

[PolarCub]

@FourPlasticRings
Thanks for the bump!
Yes you're correct that Anaphylaxis typically develops within a short space of time, but you can have a delayed reaction. I've had both so previous Doctors have been ultra careful with me.

[FourPlasticRings]

Hmm, that's tricky. I don't know what to suggest then- maybe ask if there is a hospital setting you could have it at? Then sit in the waiting room there for a few hours? They did one of my flu jabs in the antenatal section of my local hospital and the waiting room there was well-staffed; maybe they'd make an allowance for you to have it somewhere like that? Hope someone with more knowledge comes along soon.

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

How old are you? Are you at risk form covid?

If not, I personally wouldn’t tax an already over responsive immune system with a flu vaccine myself

[PolarCub]

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow
I'm 40 (Or can I say still 39 as my birthday was right at Scotland's lockdown and didn't happen ), I have a high BMI, several auto immune conditions and a carer for my adult son.

I'm wondering about if the flu jab is the right thing to do or not - your right about an over responsive immune system (the allergies and auto immune conditions), but in the same hand I've been hospitalized before and been on oxygen for a week, and seem to get every bug that goes to my chest. In January, I was really ill with a bug, that I spent several days wondering if I should be in hospital because I couldn't breathe properly and that took 5 weeks to stop wheezing all the time and get back to any kind of feeling well ish.

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Do you think you had covid in January? So many people saying similar...

[PolarCub]

I don't think it was Covid because I was streaming so much - it was quite possibly a Flu - but who knows without antibody testing (presuming if you've had it then you've made antibodies to it!)

[LetMeVent]

Like you I have severe allergies but also have experienced toxic reactions to vaccines and some antibiotics. I have been offered jabs in a hospital setting, should I want them, but honestly, the lack of efficacy of the flu jab, in my eyes, doesn’t warrant risking anaphylaxis or nerve damage whether done in a hospital setting or not.
I actually had covid back in March. I get every flu circulating. I still wouldn’t risk the jab given my personal history of reactions. At least with wild flu I know what to expect!

[PolarCub]

@LetMeVent
Thank you for giving me your experiences - It's nice to hear from someone in a similar situation!
I think I'm going to have a look into more about the effectiveness of the flu jab and take it from there.
I must admit for several years now I do my upmost to-do everything to stay away from the doctor's surgery (usually end up picking up some bug whilst I'm there, or an allergic reaction due to their stupid puffing smelly thing in the waiting room!). I don't see my two consultants anymore as for two of my conditions I've reached the end of the line for treatments - there's nothing else they can try.