Do you have questions about winter vaccinations for flu and Covid-19? - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Created for the Department of Health

THIS Q&A IS NOW CLOSED FOR QUESTIONS. SEE DR. FARZANA'S ANSWERS FROM PAGE 6

According to the NHS, we are expecting to have a bad flu season this year, especially compared to the very mild season we experienced in 2020/21. This has led to lower immunity amongst the population. GP and mum of two Dr Farzana Hussain is here to answer your questions about getting vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 this winter.

• Everyone who shares a question below by 12 November will be eligible for a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher from a store of their choice
• Dr Farzana will be back online next week to answer a selection of your questions.

About Dr Farzana

Dr Farzana Hussain is an NHS GP with 20 years’ experience and mum of two teenagers. She is Clinical Director of a Primary Care Network and won GP of the year in 2019.

Here’s what the Department of Health has to say

'Getting vaccinated this winter is so important as we continue to mix with family and friends in the run up to the festive period. We know that vaccines are our way out of the pandemic, so we are urging everyone that’s eligible to get their winter vaccines when called, whether that’s your first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or flu, for the best possible protection – for you and your loved ones'

Do you have questions about the benefits of getting you and your family vaccinated for flu this winter? Would you like to know more about the current COVID-19 vaccination advice for children? Whatever your questions, post on this thread for Dr Farzana to answer.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ
Mumsnet Insight T&Cs apply

[BristolMum96]

Do I have to wait between having my covid booster and my flu jab?

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

Can I have COVID booster and flu vaccination together in same appointment? And if not why?
GP surgery’s around here seem to be offering different things.
Thank you

[HotToddyColdSauvignon]

How soon do I have to wait between getting the different jabs? (Flu and booster)

[plsbekind]

Just wondering if there were zero flu cases last year because of COVID how can they predict a spike when most are now vaccinated? I'm confused, what's the medical reason for a spike in flu this year?
Also flu symptoms are similar to COVID so if vaccinated with Covid jabs then surely you're protected against flu?

Lastly, scientifically do we even know the damage these two vaccines could cause in your body together? It just all sounds abit false/risky to me and misleading, just keep getting man made substances injected into your body without understand the outcomes in the future.

[erh099]

I am breastfeeding.. will the vaccine pass through to my child?

[Asuwere]

"According to the NHS, we are expecting to have a bad flu season this year, especially compared to the very mild season we experienced in 2020/21. This has led to lower immunity amongst the population."
Why has immunity reduced if so many groups are encouraged to take up flu vaccine? What has caused the lowering of immunity?

[twinkletoesimnot]

This isn't for me personally as I won't be eligible for a booster until early Feb anyway, (although could have a flu jab I guess.)

What I want to know is, forget the political arguments, do you think that teachers ( or anyone who works with children - nursery workers, childminders, TAs etc) should be eligible for a booster jab, as they are working in close proximity with the only sector of society that are largely unvaccinated and cannot social distance?

[canyoutoleratethis]

Will having both the flu jab and the booster at the same time worsen the risk, and strength, of any side effects?

[Sparklystar]

Are 12-15 year olds in UK only having one vaccine ? Or will they be offered a 2nd

[SnowyMouse]

Is it safe to have the flu jab and covid jab together?

[TellMeItsNotTrue]

My GP surgery want to do both at the same time because I have it at home so it makes it easier/quicker for them

I really don't think it's wise because my immune system is pretty much non-existent due to medical reasons and medication.

I reacted really badly to the first Covid vaccine, wasn't too bad with the second

Can & Should I push the issue and get them done separately

[Powaqa]

If you can't have the flu and covid booster shot together (can just imagine my arm the next day) which one should i get first?

[MrsRobert]

What's the difference between the booster and the third primary vaccine?

[Obakarama]

I have never bothered to have the flu vaccine before. Maybe caught flu once. Is it different this year? Should I really have it, along with COVID booster?

[biteysaurus]

I have a 5 month old baby - other than having the flu jab myself & continuing to breastfeed, how can I best protect her during flu season?

[Dizzywizz]

I get the flu vaccine due to having ms, and my children get it at school. Dh never has it as he never gets flu…as he is otherwise healthy and is only 40, is there a reason for him to get it?

[DatingDisastrously]

I've only had a flu vaccine in pregnancy. Never had flu and in mid forties. I'm a keyworker and had children at school throughout lockdowns. I don't feel any more at risk than in the past. I'm double vaccinated against Covid. I live a healthy lifestyle and just don't feel like I need a flu jab. What would you say to me to encourage me to have a flu vaccine?

[HouseholdBubblesandEeeeek]

Do children need to have the flu jab? Thanks.

[ILoveMyCaravan]

I had the Astra Zeneca covid jabs for my first two. I have now been told by the clinic that only the Pfizer one is available for the 3rd booster. Will this matter? Considering I was told at my covid jab that I couldn't have the Pfizer one because I have an allergy to penicillin. I'm confused but I do want to have the booster.

[Appuskidu]

I am now 6.5 months on from having my second jab. I work as a teacher in a school where no one wears a mask because the government claim schools are ‘safe’, the co2 monitors the government have promised have not arrived and I am teaching children at close range on a daily basis who have family members with covid, but because I am not yet 50, I’m not entitled for a booster. Why?

[Florence08]

If the flu vaccine is formulated on the strains of flu that were around last year, how has this year’s vaccine been formulated if there was very little flu around last year? Does this mean it will be less effective as it is more of a ‘guess’?

[JulesJules]

Why are children at school only being offered the flu vaccine up to 16yo, no vaccine for years 12 and 13?

[Cotswoldmama]

Do you know when different age groups will be offered the booster? Also will everyone be able to get the flu jab or only those most vulnerable, there seemed to be a shortage last year.

[Maddie2802]

Is the covid booster safe for pregnant women in all trimesters?

[ToddlerMum32]

Are you less likely to have a reaction and feel ill after having the booster compared to the vaccine doses?