Page 5 | To wonder if lack of covid boosters this Autumn is government cost cutting

Hulabalu · 2025-10-13T20:39:35+00:00

And if it is cost cutting , isn’t it a short sighted one? The more people get sick the more the cost to /,strain on NHS? And wouldn’t it be sensible to “run a please be considerate and wear a mask if you have symptoms?” campaign . Not just for Covid but a cold / cough / sore throat ?

TeaAndTattoos · 15/10/2025 01:07

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 06:14

I’m considering paying for the booster. It’s about £100 though which is a bit expensive. I wonder why so much ? compared with flu jab etc ?

I was told it would cost £80 and even though I have asthma and would like to have the booster I just can’t afford that much. I guess the price of it depends on where you live.

Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 21:34

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/10/2025 21:23

But unless I wear a sign around my neck no one is going to know it’s allergies are they?

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That doesn’t matter, you willl know you’re not infectious. My point is about slowing spread of infection. There will be some allergic people or people who cant wear a mask for a valid reason.

OP posts:

Jeart · 14/10/2025 21:31

I have a heart condition that’s exasperated by viruses. Last two times I’ve had Covid I’ve ended up on the cardiac ward then off work for several weeks. But I can’t get a vaccine.

cityanalyst678 · 14/10/2025 21:29

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 21:12

Im sorry to hear this, it doesn’t seem fair. Can you get some air purifiers ? Keep door open as much as possible.

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Yes I leave the door open, but it’s cold, due to the freezing corridor outside. No heating until after half term. I worked in hospitals and believe me, the NHS is in a much better state than many schools. I clean my own room. I buy things out of my own pocket. But the students are mostly great and there is a huge feeling of we are in this together and we will be fine.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/10/2025 21:23

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 20:32

People can determine themselves if they’re allergic or sick. If it’s allergies then mask not needed

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But unless I wear a sign around my neck no one is going to know it’s allergies are they?

Thisisbetweenyoumeandtheinternet · 14/10/2025 21:23

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 16:58

Covid wasn’t a control mechanism

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Ok!

autienotnaughty · 14/10/2025 21:21

I got an invite for DS who’s autistic even though he’s not immunocompromised. I use to have them as his carer but this year Ive not received a message.

Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 21:12

cityanalyst678 · 14/10/2025 20:55

If I told you I run the medical room, that I see 50 plus students a day and I am located in the middle of the school, with no windows, would you believe me? I have pointed this out, but there is no money for new buildings…..

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Im sorry to hear this, it doesn’t seem fair. Can you get some air purifiers ? Keep door open as much as possible.

OP posts:

cityanalyst678 · 14/10/2025 20:55

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 20:42

do you think it helps to keep windows open in class and perhaps use a first defence spray if you start to feel like you might be getting something? Sorry that teachers aren’t better protected.

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If I told you I run the medical room, that I see 50 plus students a day and I am located in the middle of the school, with no windows, would you believe me? I have pointed this out, but there is no money for new buildings…..

Youdontseehow · 14/10/2025 20:45

GinaDav · 14/10/2025 12:58

I’ve heard a few people say they no longer qualify but i still got mine. I just booked on the government website as usual and the pharmacy asked how i qualified (I have an autoimmune condition that puts me at risk of serious illness), and I got my jab. It was just as easy as always.

Well yes because you fall into the eligible criteria (75+, care home resident or immunosuppressed) - so of course it’s easy for you!

But all those with diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease etc no longer qualify - they have illnesses but are not immunosuppressed as a result of them.

SquirrelosaurusSoShiny · 14/10/2025 20:44

MissyB1 · 14/10/2025 07:47

You are right OP. Even healthcare staff are not being offered a booster unless they are over 75, or meet the specific criteria for immunocompromised. My dh (hospital Doc), is nearly 60, no booster for him, this week two of his colleagues from his team are off poorly with Covid. And I don’t just mean they tested positive, I mean properly poorly. This has meant cancelling outpatient clinics and procedure lists.

This sums up the catastrophic stupidity of the NHS in a single example. Everything is reactive instead of proactive and preventative.

Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 20:42

cityanalyst678 · 14/10/2025 19:00

Just about everyone has had it in the last couple of weeks in the school where I work, including myself.
Parents ( including medical staff) send pupils in, knowing they have Covid and say that’s what everyone does now. All very well, but I have now had it six times and it’s not pleasant. Still I should be safe for at least 3 months now. Meanwhile my Father had his, along with his flu jab and he hardly ever goes out…..

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do you think it helps to keep windows open in class and perhaps use a first defence spray if you start to feel like you might be getting something? Sorry that teachers aren’t better protected.

OP posts:

Teajenny7 · 14/10/2025 20:38

Personally think it should be available to those who want it.
Also, it should be available earlier in the school term.
2 members of our department have been ill for 3 weeks. Both tried to come in but shouldn't have been very ill. Only passed on to rest of school.
Several others have been off too. Not great.
Lack of ventilation doesn't help. Can't open the windows in my department.

Vulnerable member of department got covid before vaccine

Sidge · 14/10/2025 20:37

RafaistheKingofClay · 14/10/2025 19:18

LP8.1 vaccine is available. I’m not sure how widely it’s available in pharmacies though.

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Yes I’d only recently heard of this one; it seems on googling that some private pharmacies are offering it but not all. I guess it’s a cost/availability factor. Too new to have been pre-approved for the autumn/winter programme in time for rollout.

Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 20:34

Bigpinksweater · 14/10/2025 19:18

This.

I’m not spending my life hiding behind a bloody mask.

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not your whole life, just consider wearing one when you’re sick

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Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 20:32

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/10/2025 20:16

I cough with allergies, I'd be wearing a mask all year round!

DH has an issue with his white blood cells and platelets and I wondered if he'd be entitled to the Covid vaccine but he's not been told he is. I have a needle phobia so I'm glad I'm not entitled, at least I don't have to make a decision!

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People can determine themselves if they’re allergic or sick. If it’s allergies then mask not needed

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Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 20:31

StrongLikeMamma · 14/10/2025 18:43

If you want to wear a mask then YOU wear one!

I will thanks. I just think if you’re sick you should consider wearing a mask too to protect others from your germs 🦠, but if you want to be selfish and inconsiderate then that’s up to you

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/10/2025 20:16

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 15:22

Wouldn’t it be nice if people with symptoms just wore a mask to reduce spread of germs ? It’s not much of an ask. If I have a cough I’ll wear a mask on the train if it makes others more comfortable and I’ll keep my distance from people if I am required to go office. I actually think offices could suggest mask wearing as courtesy if symptoms

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I cough with allergies, I'd be wearing a mask all year round!

DH has an issue with his white blood cells and platelets and I wondered if he'd be entitled to the Covid vaccine but he's not been told he is. I have a needle phobia so I'm glad I'm not entitled, at least I don't have to make a decision!

Original poster

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 19:52

Hibiscusflowers · 14/10/2025 17:07

@Hulabalu I got a covid one with psoriatic arthritis, I take methotrexate so am classed as immunocompromised because of that.

Gosh all these covid minimisers and conspiracy theorists don’t know how lucky they are , keep on keeping on PP X

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Bbq1 · 14/10/2025 19:49

I'm 52 and I had my covid and flu jab together last week but I unfortunately am severely immuosuppressed.

Bigpinksweater · 14/10/2025 19:18

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

This.

I’m not spending my life hiding behind a bloody mask.

RafaistheKingofClay · 14/10/2025 19:18

Sidge · 14/10/2025 18:58

We (NHS in England) are offering Comirnaty KP.2 this autumn which is the same vaccine pharmacies are offering as far as I know. It’s the most recent vaccine available in the UK to protect against the most recent strains.

I’m not aware pharmacies have any newer vaccine available.

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LP8.1 vaccine is available. I’m not sure how widely it’s available in pharmacies though.

Delatron · 14/10/2025 19:11

OddBoots · 14/10/2025 18:40

I haven't been entitled to an NHS Covid jab since they were universal but last year I discovered Carragelose based nasal sprays and used one 4 times a day throughout the colder seasons and I do feel it has made a massive difference. Last year I used a Lemsip one but they seem to have stopped making it so I am using a Boots own one this year.

People in the office were coming down with all sorts of respiratory infections but the worst I got were times of 24 hours of very mild symptoms. They spray stops the virus replicating so it doesn't fully take hold, and more important to me, it means I am much less lively to bring it home to others in my household.

There have been some study on it in 2021 as prevention using staff in Covid wards and the results were very positive ( pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8493111/ ) but surprisingly I can't see there have been any other studies replicating it.

Yes I remember reading this study. I use First Defence I’m if I’m going on public transport and if I’ve been around ill people.

cityanalyst678 · 14/10/2025 19:00

MissyB1 · 14/10/2025 07:47

You are right OP. Even healthcare staff are not being offered a booster unless they are over 75, or meet the specific criteria for immunocompromised. My dh (hospital Doc), is nearly 60, no booster for him, this week two of his colleagues from his team are off poorly with Covid. And I don’t just mean they tested positive, I mean properly poorly. This has meant cancelling outpatient clinics and procedure lists.

Just about everyone has had it in the last couple of weeks in the school where I work, including myself.
Parents ( including medical staff) send pupils in, knowing they have Covid and say that’s what everyone does now. All very well, but I have now had it six times and it’s not pleasant. Still I should be safe for at least 3 months now. Meanwhile my Father had his, along with his flu jab and he hardly ever goes out…..

Sidge · 14/10/2025 18:58

RafaistheKingofClay · 14/10/2025 17:21

Agree with the PP. the NHs is using old stock that is less well matched than the newer vaccines that are being used by private. Both should prevent severe illness the newer one will be better matched to existing viruses and be better at preventing transmission.

I’ve managed to get one of the last free slots nearby. Just have to avoid catching it until Monday. Given that I think everyone at work got it in the week I was on leave I should be ok.

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We (NHS in England) are offering Comirnaty KP.2 this autumn which is the same vaccine pharmacies are offering as far as I know. It’s the most recent vaccine available in the UK to protect against the most recent strains.

I’m not aware pharmacies have any newer vaccine available.