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Original poster

To decline Covid Booster?

85 replies

8lbOfSugar · 18/10/2024 21:28

I have an appointment for my covid booster and flu jab on 3rd Nov. Flu is routine due to being asthmatic and I don't mind getting that one. However I'm cautious about getting them both together. My Grandparents and a couple of friends have already had theirs and all of them have been knocked for 6 and had to stay in bed for 3ish days afterwards.

For context I've had minimal reaction to the previous jabs and the flu does make me ill for a period but I can go about my normal day with the symptoms. However I am now a lone parent to a newborn with very little support/childcare options so if it was to affect me being able to function normally then I have no one to step in to look after DS. GP are elderly and quite poorly, friends work and have their own families.

Am I allowed to decline the booster but still get my flu? Could I get the booster at a later date maybe? Has anyone had theirs recently and able to say how it affected them?

OP posts:
nildesparandum · 18/10/2024 21:48

I refused he covid booster after having a not very nice reaction to the last one.
I am an oldie pensioner and have COPD so this was not taken lightly

magneticpeasant · 18/10/2024 21:48

You can book the COVID one alone using the online booking system.

I had both together in the same arm (an inch apart). I'd probably have them separately in future. I wasn't laid up in bed, I just felt off colour - but could have been coincidence.

Bimblesalong · 18/10/2024 21:47

I had my Covid jab last week and then the flu jab yesterday. It’s easier to find a pharmacy doing the flu jab. I’ve just been tired and had achy arms and mild temperature this time. Previously I was flat out. Rather this though than getting flu or Covid again.

purplebeansprouts · 18/10/2024 21:45

In all honesty I'd stagger them and I'd get the covid one first. It's doing the rounds again and it's horrendous

DoAWheelie · 18/10/2024 21:36

You can get them separately. When you book a COVID jab it asks if you want to also book a flu one and you can just hit no.

I prefer to do them together as every vaccine for everything I've ever had lands me in bed for a day so I'd rather load up and get it out the way.

katedan · 18/10/2024 21:36

I had both my flu and covid jab 2 days ago ( one on each arm) apart from a slightly sore arm where I had the covid jab for a few hours I have been fine with no side effects.

bergamotorange · 18/10/2024 21:33

If you're asthmatic then getting COVID is to be avoided, it has more lung impacts than flu.

km21 · 18/10/2024 21:31

I had both last week. I had mild flu-like symptoms for around 24 hours but nothing that stopped me going about my normal routine. Didn’t even have a sore arm. HTH

EmeraldRoulette · 18/10/2024 21:31

You can get the flu jab separately at many pharmacies. You fill in a form saying you're entitled to it free and then they claim the money back from the NHS. You don't have to pay up front or anything.

whether or not your surgery will have the Covid booster available separately or at a later time, I couldn't tell you. My mum is having hers separately I think.

edit - so you should be able to tell your surgery you only want one but I don't know what happens to the other one if you want it later.

IsTheOffDutyDoneYet · 18/10/2024 21:31

I’ve had my flu jab (nurse), but declined my Covid booster. I’ve had Covid twice, after having the jabs three times, and both times I was quite poorly with it but I don’t feel getting the Covid booster again would be the right thing for me.

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