To urge you to get your flu jab…

I just use a blue ventolin inhaler.

I've never ever been so ill as I was when I contracted the flu. Could barely open my eyes for 3 days or even think about parenting my 1 year old. I get the vaccine religiously now.

Does it mean the current vaccine is useless if the strain of flue circulating now is different? Or does it still offer some protection?
Yes, everyone who wants the vaccine and does not qualify for free vaccination should just go and have it privately and book as early as possible. Around £20 surely is nothing once a year for one's health.
I don't think many people are aware they can book it themselves privately.
I had mine mid November thinking it should, hopefully, be reasonably effective through December and January. No idea if it does anything. I did have to book well in advance, availability wasn't as easy ad previous years.
OP it sounds awful what you've been through and I hope you recover fully really quickly.

@Comefromaway possibly previous years, but you'd be eligible this year if using a regular ICS inhaler or combination inhaler. So basically anything other than a blue inhaler. And if you go to a pharmacy and just tell them you're on an inhaled steroid they'll give it to you no question as can't access your medical records.

To anyone else saying you can't get it, I'm so surprised as it seems to be so widely available at pretty much every pharmacy - big chains like Asda or small independent ones. Keep trying!

I normally get mine through work but qualified on the NHS this year for both flu and Covid vaccines (and pneumococcal one too) as immunocompromised due to chemo. I could probably qualify other years because I’m a carer to disabled DS but I’ve never pursued it because I get it through work anyway. DH paid for his at Tesco to further reduce risk. Kids got theirs through school. I’ve never (knowingly) had flu and would quite like to keep it that way!

I used to use be pride but havnt for about 15 years now. My asthma is much improved, it only bothers me when I do get a cold or flu.

i don’t think we’ve got public vaccination clinics locally. They do the jabs at the surgery or town hall & you get an invite from your GP.

Pages 19 and 20 of the Flu chapter in the Green Book aka vaccination bible, show eligibility criteria - for asthma, it includes regular use of a steroid inhaler. Just tell them you use a steroid inhaler once a day (eg becotide/the brown one) - in the public vaccinations clinics they don’t have access to your medical records and we are told not to “over screen” ie delve too deep. Nobody I have ever worked with (and I must have done several hundred shifts with 10-15 staff per shift) would really care. We just write “patient states they use steroid inhaler regularly” and that’s it.

to be honest, I don’t know why they are not just giving it to anyone that wants it this year.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6838317b5150d70c85aafab9/Green-book-chapter-19-influenza-28May2025.pdf

Already have as has alot of people I know including all elderly relatives . However be warned...my dm who had the jab has been very ill with flu over Christmas... different strain this year it seems

Ds was offered it at work (panto cast & crew) but it was a bit late as he got flu in his first week.

My dd has had it for almost 2 weeks, she’s 19 and severely autistic, she’s not vaccinated for flu or covid because I can’t physically make her and she has reacted to previous vaccines. She’s had a miserable Christmas, she had already lost a lot of weight due to other medical issues which we are waiting for investigations for. She’s barely eaten for 2 weeks, luckily today she has started eating a few small things. Having a bath seemed to help her a little too but the congestion, fever and cough has been relentless. No one else in the house has caught it (yet) but I am exhausted from looking after dd. I feel so sorry for her, she looks so unwell and it’s going to take a while for her to recover.

Same here. Dh got it as he is eligible on the NHS. No private slots available locally though.

I feel your pain OP. I came down with it on Boxing Day and it’s the worst I’ve ever felt. Was sent to hospital yesterday by my GP and found out I’ve now got pneumonia - totally healthy 37 year old who has never even had a chest infection before. It’s brutal.

Yeah this is true. However a person could catch any strain and be very unwell.

If you say you are an “unpaid carer” of an elderly or disabled person you will be able to get the jab - they won’t ask you to prove it - just say it’s your 90 year old granny or whatever.

don’t feel guilty about lying - I work in this area and I can absolutely guarantee that they will be chucking vaccines in the bin on a regular basis as they’ve been out the fridge too long. It happens in every clinic I do because they bring some out at 5pm and the later appointments are very poorly attended.

The vaccine isn't available where I live. I have tried booking with Boots, Tesco pharmacy, and 2 local independents. They have no slots at all.

The only year I had a flu jab, I had a flu so severe that I had to be carried to the bathroom (couldn't hold my weight at all for a week) and had post-viral vertigo and severe fatigue that lasted 6 months afterwards. I had never been so ill before and haven't been since. I hope everybody does the best thing for themselves with regards to shots. If you'd like one, have it. If you have a reaction like I did, best to avoid.

We paid for it, as even a small help with immunity can make a big difference.

Anyone can pay for a flu jab, eligibility is only to get it for free

I don't know how much it costs though

Last time I was really ill I had a bath because I couldn’t stand long enough to shower 🤷🏻‍♀️

Not eligible. Despite having mild asthma.

I paid for mine privately, £16 from Tesco. I haven't been ill this season, DC get there's at school and haven't been unwell either. That could be complete luck but almost every family around us has been floored at some point in the last month, I'd rather prevent it if I can.

I think the big push towards giving it to people with certain illnesses or certain ages gives everyone else the impression that they don't really need it. Some workplaces will pay but people still don't take it up.

It's not unusual to take a bath when you have flu, on account of the shivering.

I don't know why more people don't have the jab, I have to say.