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

206 replies

Hulabalu · 13/10/2025 21:39

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 ?

OP posts:
IAmInAPickle · 14/10/2025 12:48

It’s because the pandemic is over and Covid isn’t a big deal to most people. HTH.

JohnTheRevelator · 14/10/2025 12:48

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Oh Christ yes. Please don't suggest that we start wearing those bloody things again.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 14/10/2025 12:43

I wouldn't bother.
I think people are still wearing masks to avoid all germs and illnesses.
Everyone should wear a mask when they're unwell.

Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 12:42

Treetop111 · 14/10/2025 07:37

The correlation between mask wearers and inadequate individuals is strong.

It’s hard not to have a negative opinion of many of those who wear them.

what do you mean by inadequate ?
why negative opinion of mask wearers ?

OP posts:
Hulabalu · 14/10/2025 12:41

i won’t fuck off
it isn’t about mandating it’s about reminding people to show consideration for others as part of society. I see elderly people wearing masks as they’re afraid to get sick.
But it’s more effective if those who actually sick with whatever to wear masks to minimise spread of their germs.

OP posts:
ThisCanFuckOffToo · 14/10/2025 09:21

We’ve just had it here, proper knocked us both about. Loads of our friends have had it too and it takes ages to get over - dh still testing positive after ten days and we’re both still coughing and feeling really tired.

We caught it on holiday, actually on the flight there I think and tbh I bloody wish we’d worn masks - even if we had looked inadequate (🙄 you fucking lemon).

Ratafia · 14/10/2025 08:53

rockstarshoes · 14/10/2025 08:09

I never understand why they don’t offer the flu jab to everyone over 50. They are the people still working, likely looking after older parents.
GP surgeries are well set up for mass vaccinations after covid, I know they did this for a couple of years while Covid was at it’s peak , to stop just seems really short sighted.

My GPs do regular mass vaccinations on Saturdays at this time of year. This year they called in over 65s for both flu and covid vaccinations, then had to take time explaining to all the 65-75s why they couldn't't have the covid one after all.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/10/2025 08:50

Treetop111 · 14/10/2025 07:37

The correlation between mask wearers and inadequate individuals is strong.

It’s hard not to have a negative opinion of many of those who wear them.

Inadequate individuals😂😂😂😂😂

Whyjustwhy83 · 14/10/2025 08:48

I can't one on the NHS this either and can't book privately as I can find nowhere local. I'm pregnant, just getting over pneumonia have blood clots and my chest is still really bad, I'm dreading catching it

Adoree · 14/10/2025 08:31

During the first covid outbreak my dh was told to shield , we were given free delivery passes to a few large food shops , and amusingly , send food parcels ( we gave those to the food banks )
He also ended up qualifying for covid boosters , and sadly due to a condition , I did too .
Fast forward to this year , not over 75 , and not immune suppressed ( but our previous conditions still here ) but suddenly the government decides we don't need them , only flu .
So at a cost of £80 each , dh and I , have paid for a private one this year .

AllJoyAndNoFun · 14/10/2025 08:26

Masks I think have to be an individual choice because the empirical evidence suggests they don’t do much- I lived in HK during covid and there was a 100% mask mandate, inside and outside and as close to 💯 compliance as you will ever get anywhere. Once covid got into HK it spread just as fast as anywhere else. I understand why people wear them and it’s always been a thing to wear one in Asia when you have a cold/ cough in HK and maybe it makes a tiny difference but at population level, doesn’t make enough gf difference to justify the downsides.

Goldfsh · 14/10/2025 08:23

I think it is a largely economic decision based on hospitalisation risk (cost of) vs cost of boosters.

I am trying to get a private booster and there's none available in my town of 100k people! I have to travel an hour to get one. Annoying.

Treetop111 · 14/10/2025 08:20

SeagullSam2027 · 14/10/2025 08:18

Why would people who choose to wear masks care about other people's opinions of them?

I never said they should.

SeagullSam2027 · 14/10/2025 08:19

Sallycinnamum · 14/10/2025 08:09

I currently have covid and it has been horrific. Far worse than when I had it first time around back in 2022.

Seems to be rampaging through my office with tons of people off with it so I think we're in for a grim autumn and winter.

Everyone I know who has had this current strain has been very ill. I just bought a private vaccine because I don't have time to waste with illness over the next few months.

SeagullSam2027 · 14/10/2025 08:18

Treetop111 · 14/10/2025 07:37

The correlation between mask wearers and inadequate individuals is strong.

It’s hard not to have a negative opinion of many of those who wear them.

Why would people who choose to wear masks care about other people's opinions of them?

NellieElephantine · 14/10/2025 08:16

LavenderBlue19 · 14/10/2025 07:40

I pretty much only see elderly people wearing them, who are likely concerned for their health. How delightful of you, to call them inadequate.

If people want to wear a mask, let them. What difference does it make to you?

Nooones said said those who want to wear masks can't, as is quoted in @Treetop111 CopperWhites quote of @CopperWhite
People are still free to wear a mask if they want but no one else needs to be pressured into it.
Just that people don't want to be forced to use ineffective breathing restrictors.

NellieElephantine · 14/10/2025 08:12

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Oh yeah this too!

Sallycinnamum · 14/10/2025 08:09

I currently have covid and it has been horrific. Far worse than when I had it first time around back in 2022.

Seems to be rampaging through my office with tons of people off with it so I think we're in for a grim autumn and winter.

rockstarshoes · 14/10/2025 08:09

I never understand why they don’t offer the flu jab to everyone over 50. They are the people still working, likely looking after older parents.
GP surgeries are well set up for mass vaccinations after covid, I know they did this for a couple of years while Covid was at it’s peak , to stop just seems really short sighted.

Lilington · 14/10/2025 07:49

And I agree this government cost cutting is short sighted.

Lilington · 14/10/2025 07:48

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 ?

Boots are £98 but independent chemists are cheaper. In my area £73 was the cheapest I found.

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.

LavenderBlue19 · 14/10/2025 07:40

Treetop111 · 14/10/2025 07:37

The correlation between mask wearers and inadequate individuals is strong.

It’s hard not to have a negative opinion of many of those who wear them.

I pretty much only see elderly people wearing them, who are likely concerned for their health. How delightful of you, to call them inadequate.

If people want to wear a mask, let them. What difference does it make to you?

Treetop111 · 14/10/2025 07:37

This reply has been deleted

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

The correlation between mask wearers and inadequate individuals is strong.

It’s hard not to have a negative opinion of many of those who wear them.

Kirbert2 · 14/10/2025 07:31

I got a letter inviting my son for a covid booster just the other day because he's immunocompromised.