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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you’re having a flu vaccine?

205 replies

MzGG · 02/12/2025 11:10

My GP surgery has text me to inform me that I’m duet flu vaccine. I’m going to book myself in.

Will you be having one too?

OP posts:
Muffsies · 02/12/2025 12:15

Absolutely. We all got the flu jab free at work months ago because we work with college students, you'd be mental not to as the kids will 100% pass it on to you without.

My 3 sons have all been sick with a barking cough and temperature, I've been tending to them and I've had no more than a sniffle - it definately works!

MzGG · 02/12/2025 12:15

Lookingforthejoy · 02/12/2025 12:11

You can get it done for free (if you’re entitled to free NHS flu jab) at most pharamacies. I got mine at boots at the start of September.

No way? I had no idea about that, thank you for letting me know. I’ve booked myself in at my surgery, but I’m sure this information will help someone else! Thanks!

OP posts:
MzGG · 02/12/2025 12:13

Overtheatlantic · 02/12/2025 11:35

I’ve had both Covid and flu jabs. I spend too much time around students to not protect myself.

I qualify for the NHS Covid booster too, but I haven’t been called for that. I had it in January last time though, so maybe it’ll be at the same time this time round.

OP posts:
Lookingforthejoy · 02/12/2025 12:11

MzGG · 02/12/2025 11:15

Same here. I usually have mine in September/October, I wonder why it was later this year. (Not that I’m complaining though, I’m very grateful to have it.)

You can get it done for free (if you’re entitled to free NHS flu jab) at most pharamacies. I got mine at boots at the start of September.

FoxRedPuppy · 02/12/2025 12:08

I didn’t and wish I had as I currently have what I think is this flu/cold thing. I never get ill, ds had it and has been ill for a few weeks, can’t shake it. The immunisation team haven’t done his school yet, they cancelled the date they had in

And I get a free one on NHS. But a tonne of other life admin plus adhd procrastination and I didn’t get round to it and now I’m suffering!

I find the NHS portal really annoying to book through and once had to go to the other side of the city for one. When I got a work voucher I could just go to local pharmacy and was so much easier.

Pinana · 02/12/2025 12:03

Yes, paid (at a pharmacy - walk in appointment) for mine in early October. I'm a teacher and feel vulnerable about all the germs I'm constantly facing!

Lapsia · 02/12/2025 12:02

Had mine ages a few months ago. I'm entitled to a free one and I never get side effects so I see no reason not to have it.

TheWytch · 02/12/2025 12:00

Had mine a few weeks ago

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 02/12/2025 11:59

I get it every year - it’s recommended for everyone over 6 months where I am, and insurance covers it.

My step-sister died of flu, having been perfectly healthy before she got it.

mimbleandlittlemy · 02/12/2025 11:58

Had it a few weeks ago as self-employed so always pay to have it rather than risk losing working days. We are also going to a country that has had a heavy increase in this new flu variant recently so was trying to get one at Boots or somewhere for my ds who is travelling there too, but all non-NHS slots seem to have been withdrawn.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 02/12/2025 11:57

Had mine in October. We offer them to everyone in my workplace. It is surprising to me to see how few people take up the offer. Some don't because they get it on the NHS anyway, but an awful lot don't bother.

Each to their own, I suppose, but flu is no fun and I will avoid it if I possibly can!

cardibach · 02/12/2025 11:56

I’m 61 so not eligible for a free one - I had mine weeks ago and paid for it. I’d really like the shingles one but it’s sooooo expensive. I had shingles last year which apparently means I’m now slightly more likely to get it than someone who never has - given how much it cost the NHS (it was ocular and I was on AVs and 2 different sorts of eye drop for 6months, one of them an expensive variant because I reacted badly to the cheap one) you would think I might be able to get it. I’m still considering it but can’t really afford it.

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 02/12/2025 11:56

Yeah, I’m a nurse and exposed to flu all of the time. I get it religiously.
a couple of years ago myself and my colleague were exposed to flu. The patient was extremely sick and we were in her house a few hours waiting for an ambulance. A couple of days later, my colleague who doesn’t get the flu jab was very ill with flu and it took her a good few weeks to recover. She was only in her late 20s and fit and well.
i on the other hand was unafffected.
Flu is awful!

ChoccieCornflake · 02/12/2025 11:54

Yes, had it a while back - not even a sore arm!
At the most I have previously felt a bit peaky for a day after a flu jab - which is infinitely preferable to what flu would feel like.

NoAprilFool · 02/12/2025 11:54

locally, the schools roll out is very late this year - DS getting his this week. There have been hundreds of kids off school in November and loads of teachers. DH and I both had vaccinations a while ago and didn’t catch it (DH catches everything usually!)

AtLeastIDidntUseASpoon · 02/12/2025 11:54

I had mine a while ago, as well as the covid booster. I’m immunosuppressed. The rest of my family have had their flu as well. We decided to get their Covid boosters privately done.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 02/12/2025 11:53

I'll have one if I'm ever asked to, but I've never paid for one. I'm 50, have never knowingly had 'flu and don't really ever get ill (touch wood etc).

katseyes7 · 02/12/2025 11:50

I had mine a few weeks ago.
I'm having the pneumonia one on Friday (I'm 67) and the shingles one in a couple of weeks.
I have some potentially serious health issues (life threatening, in two cases) - I'm not taking any chances.

Monty34 · 02/12/2025 11:48

Absolutely. No question. I would prefer to avoid flu if possible. And thank you to Louis Pasteur without whom we would still have dreadful diseases and no vaccine against them.

Cattatonic · 02/12/2025 11:48

No, though I have had in the past when it was free. OH can as he’s asthmatic but he’s not doing so either as after the last one he had horrible side effects.

FMc208 · 02/12/2025 11:46

Yes of course, I had it when I was due

Newgirls · 02/12/2025 11:44

I paid £20 to have one at the local chemist. All fine. Not been unwell yet.

i had a friend say she didn’t believe in them after I mentioned I’d been to get it before meeting her. I resisted the urge to ask if she had a science degree.

Bayroot1 · 02/12/2025 11:43

SJM1988 · 02/12/2025 11:16

I had mine back in Sept when they released the paid for appointments. I get it every year as soon as I can.

DH doesn't have it. The only year he got it, he got flu so feels its not worth it.

Most i know got ill after it. Makes me wary.

Badbadbunny · 02/12/2025 11:41

Had ours 6-8 weeks ago, along with covid repeater jabs. Everyone around here seems to be coming down with colds, flu or covid. We've had nothing at all so far. But we're also taking other precautions too, such as avoiding indoor crowds, regular handwashing, etc. We''re both immunocompromised, especially DH with bone marrow cancer, so can't take any unnecessary risks, especially when the NHS is collapsing. DS also had both the flu and covid jabs (paid for by his workplace) as he knows he has to protect us when he comes home at Xmas!)

Figgygal · 02/12/2025 11:37

I have one because my employer offers it for free. If I had to pay for it I probably wouldn't bother saying that The most ill I've ever been in my entire life is when I had the flu and it is absolutely something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

My youngest child had their nasal spray on Friday at school. My eldest is having it this Friday at his secondary school. I think both are far too late given it takes 3 weeks for immunity to build.