To be frustrated by the reactions to the current news stories around the current flu?

The worst thing is only 40% of healthcare workers have bothered getting it. And then they moan because so many staff are off. Well.......

I’m in favour of all vaccines, flu jab included, but this year’s severe strain is not covered by this year’s vaccine, so those fearful of catching it for whatever reason are within their rights to fear catching it.

My husband was jabbed and has still caught it. He’s on day 6 and it’s awful. I wasn’t jabbed and haven’t caught it (yet), would have by now if catching it from him.

I usually get the flu vaccine but, of all vaccines, I can understand why its the one people tend to skip.

On an individual level, it's probably the least effective vaccine and, for most people, its not a very serious illness. I'll happily have it for the potential personal benefit, but it does skew more towards being a societal good.

I think that part of the thinking behind all the "massive flu crisis this year" stories is to encourage people to get the vaccine if they haven't already. So the reaction that OP is complaining about is actually the aim of the game, no matter how annoying OP may find it.

Presumably it's statistically better if people get the jab now, rather than not getting it at all?

It will be too late for some, but not for others. The protection level given by the jab may not be great this year, but probably better than nothing. As a numbers game, across the whole country, it makes sense if people start booking in for jabs now if they can.

I don’t think there are many anti covid jab people desperately trying to get the flu jab. Everything I have seen from those kinds of groups are blaming the rise in flu on the flu jab.

Not my opinion I should add but I find your post strange.

Yes, it's less effective this year but still has an effect - you're less likely to get flu, less likely to get it badly, less likely to be hospitalised if you do. I'm just getting over my first bout of flu in over two decades despite having the vaccine. I think it would have been so much worse without it 🤷🏼

I'm rather tired of seeing claims on Facebook that it's just a cold and that people are getting flu because they've been vaccinated. Not to mention the people who are claiming that it is all made up and it doesn't exist at all.

We are in our 60s and paid for a flu jab, however we struggled to find anywhere with supplies and the pharmacist said they didn't have any warning of when they'd turn up until the appointments popped up! More a case of trying to mitigate symptoms, rather like any prevention is better than cure. Having had flu very badly in my 30s (so no, not just an issue for the elderly), covid before the lock down and that wasn't much fun either, actually verging on the frightening, it is something that I feel is worth the £20 cost. I suppose it is about priorities.

I didn't get round to it until a couple of days ago. I take it you've never left something a bit late op?

And that's pretty much how often I get it!

I can't actually recall which year I had it, but I've decided to have the vaccine this year partly because of the publicity about overstretched hospitals but also because I'm on immune suppressing meds that I expected to have stopped by now.

Only since January 2024?? That's not very long!

Well the vaccine is very ineffective this year for a start (I had mine a month ago cos it's better than nothing but apparently only about 40% effective, whatever that means).

Masks are silly. It's depressing that they've caught some people's imaginations so thoroughly. Opening windows would be good no idea why hospitals are all so compulsorily stuffy.

There is a lot of drama on this forum about the flu

I only had the flu jab once while pregnant.

As far as I am aware, there is still no official NHS guidance for non-vulnerable adults to take up the vaccine.

I never have flu jabs and I've not been properly ill since January 2024

The news was also saying it would be a bad strain months and months ago.

Speaking as someone who has had two bad reactions to vaccines, both requiring ambulances, in the last five years, I haven't had a flu jab.

Instead I've stocked up on lemsip, paracetamol and tissues. If I have to take to my bed, then I will.

But some people like the drama of it. Let them get on with it.

I can understand some of your gripes, but it is human nature to not do things that inconvenience us until it's in your face. Plus there will be complacency if there hasn't been a bad flu year for a while. I personally would always get one if I was eligible on the NHS but I have flexibility with my job and can take time to go to a clinic. It's not always easy to get one privately - aside from the cost, my nearest pharmacy offering it is a 3 hour round trip, longer on public transport.

This is why I never ever leave getting my annual flu vaccination until the last minute! I always make sure I've had it by the middle of October. You never know when there is going to be a particularly nasty strain doing the rounds. I am at a loss to understand why some people are so opposed to having the vaccine. Thankfully,I don't really get any after effects now (although I did years ago when I first started having it). When I said to someone that you can feel a bit achy and have a slight temperature for a day or two after having it she said she'd rather take her chances! She actually said 'I'd rather catch the flu'. Believe me,you wouldn't! A day or two of feeling a bit under the weather is nothing compared to full blown flu. This is what a lot of people don't understand. Flu is not just a bad cold,it can really knock you for six for a at least a week. And even after you're over the worst,it can take weeks to feel completely well again. I've had proper flu several times in my 62 years prior to starting having the vaccination 30 years ago, and I really wouldn't wish it on anyone!

But aren’t the vaccines not as effective because it’s a very different variant from last year. Isn’t that why the numbers are so high.
I’m pro vaccines btw.

I agree, I have a chronic condition and am most grateful for it. Haven't had flue for 20 years, last time I was off work for 2 weeks. That was quite serious enough for me, I don't know why people can't plan ahead. It takes 2 minutes.