Flu Vaccine

[guest1234]

Hello

quick question!

I haven't had a flu jab this year and am 25 weeks pregnant, my doctor / boots isn't offering them right now, is it a good idea to go to a private doctor and get one done now just to be on the safe side? And will the jab be the same as you would get on the NHS?

thanks!

[Mawsymoo]

It's not flu season now so I doubt you'd get it anywhere. Next season's vaccine will be available in September/October so you can get it then - well in advance of the next flu season!

[Snowflake27]

What Mawsymoo said but also they came out at the end of March and said this year flu jab was pointless - didn't protect against the current strain- so I doubt they would offer you it for that reason too!

[guest1234]

Thanks so much for the advise Mawsymoo and Snowflake27! I think I will wait until September.

[Skiptonlass]

In answer to the last question, yes, it's the same vaccine, private or NHS. Each year epidemiologists have to make an educated guess at which specific strains of flu (they can only pick a few) get put into the vaccine. They have to do this with limited data and unfortunately, sometimes they get it wrong. Not a job I'd like to have :)

[MummyBex1985]

If it's any consolation, I have the flu jab every year.

I got flu a month after having it and it knocked me for six. It really was useless this year!