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Original poster

No Flu Vaccinations available for the under 65's anywhere

83 replies

Baaaahhhhh · 21/09/2020 16:28

Just that really, trying to get vaccinations for DD's, DH and myself, but we don't qualify. A nagging, and I know in my heart, probably unreasonable, little voice, is wondering whether it would not be better to vaccinate the working population in order to keep things going. What happens if we all go down with Covid plus Flu....... unlikely but......

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 21/09/2020 20:35

Flu vaccines have to be ordered 9-12 months ahead of time as the egg based production process is so slow. They've made some extra this year by running production a bit longer. There's no shortage in the US and I got mine in August. DS's uni is supposed to be doing flu shots next month but I convinced him to get one at the local chemist last week, as I'm concerned about shortages here when people are paying more attention to getting them.

HUCKMUCK · 21/09/2020 20:40

@GruntBaby

IME the GP surgeries never get the flu vaccine until weeks after it's available privately.

Privately - DH had his done at Boots last week. I was booked for today but when I turned up they were running >30 mins late and I had to get to a meeting so rebooked for early October on the spot. Scared now that they'll run out. We have a v vulnerable DS.

Schools are doing the usual vaccines, but if you have a particularly vulnerable child there's a special route to get one of the earliest slots.

This is true - last year the pharmacy next door to us got theirs 2 weeks before us. GP practices have to put their orders in usually by the end of January and their delivery dates are locked in shortly after that.
nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 21/09/2020 20:42

I had mine this week in a small pharmacy. Just walked in, asked if they did flu jabs and they said yes, private was £15 and did I want it now.

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WrongKindOfFace · 21/09/2020 20:44

@JamieLeeCurtains

One of the many, many things that has fucked me right off today is my GP surgery claiming they have no flu vaccine yet. None. For anyone.

Not even for the priority groups. (I'm immune-suppressed.)

Is this just bollocks then, and I could pay for one? (Although I'm not supposed to go out at the moment.) Sigh.

Advice appreciated.

If you qualify for an nhs jab then a pharmacy will do it for free.
Multiplying2020 · 21/09/2020 20:44

I work in an NHS hospital and we're usually encouraged to get the flu jab every year, but not a peep from them yet. Having said that, it's still a bit early.

Aurorie11 · 21/09/2020 20:46

Took my 80 something Dad for a flu jab today as he was away last week and missed the GPs mass session, booked through patient access.

I asked about a flu jab for me, early 50s, and said I would pay, they don't have any stock for under 65s, may be a week or two

Incrediblytired · 21/09/2020 20:49

I’m 36 and had it at the GP but I qualify. It’s a different vaccine to 65+ though.

Asda usually do them for £8?

MsAwesomeDragon · 21/09/2020 20:52

I have 2 choices of free flu jabs this year. I qualify for a free NHS one, which will be done in a drive through clinic this year. I could also have a free one through my local authority as they are paying for all school staff to have them.

MadisonAvenue · 21/09/2020 20:56

My GP’s surgery aren’t expecting to start vaccinating at risk under 65s until late Oct/early Nov but they have no indication of when they’ll actually have stock of the vaccine so it’s a guess at the moment.

They’ve held clinics for over 65s on both Saturdays and Sundays over the last three weekends.

I’d booked at Boots instead but I’ve cancelled and booked for next week with Tesco instead. The pharmacy area in Boots is small and quite enclosed and I’d rather not have to sit there afterwards with the Covid risk whereas Tesco is the opposite. I’ve also booked a Tesco appointment for my 20 year old son this evening, for a week on Saturday, as he’s also at risk.

rallytog1 · 21/09/2020 20:57

A word of caution - just because they'll give you an appointment, it doesn't mean they'll have the stock when you turn up. I've found that with 2 pharmacies so far Angry

MadisonAvenue · 21/09/2020 20:58

@JamieLeeCurtains I booked with Tesco and there’s an option to select an NHS free jab on the booking page.

JamieLeeCurtains · 21/09/2020 21:00

If you qualify for an nhs jab then a pharmacy will do it for free.

Thanks, @WrongKindOfFace. It's kind of you to reply.

It's just frustrating that the hospital that put me on the immune-suppressing drug were very insistent that I have the flu jab in the sterile environment of my GP surgery, who say they can't do it because they don't have any vaccine.

JustSaying101 · 21/09/2020 21:04

What about the Nasal Flu Vaccine? Anyone know if you can get this privately?

AldiAisleofCrap · 21/09/2020 21:18

@JustSaying101 yes but only at a private GP not at a chemist.

ALongHardWinter · 21/09/2020 21:29

Does this apply to people under 65 who qualify for one because they have an underlying health condition (such as a heart or lung condition or diabetes) which could make it more risky if they caught the flu?

WrongKindOfFace · 21/09/2020 21:34

@JamieLeeCurtains

If you qualify for an nhs jab then a pharmacy will do it for free.

Thanks, @WrongKindOfFace. It's kind of you to reply.

It's just frustrating that the hospital that put me on the immune-suppressing drug were very insistent that I have the flu jab in the sterile environment of my GP surgery, who say they can't do it because they don't have any vaccine.

I honestly wouldn’t call a GP’s surgery sterile!

Could you arrange the first appointment of the day at a pharmacy? I’ve noticed the smaller ones are still limiting the number of people in store whereas the bigger ones like Boots are a free for all.

JamieLeeCurtains · 21/09/2020 21:37

@WrongKindOfFace Yes I shall do that, we have an independent pharmacy near us so I'll ring them and explain.

Thank you.

FTMNOV · 21/09/2020 21:37

I'm 31 weeks pregnant so should be getting a flu jab, rang up my GP last week and was told they have ran out and to ring back next week! This was half an hour after my sister got offered numerous appointment times on several different days for her 2 year old!

Smallereveryday · 21/09/2020 21:40

Boots are doing them.
I'm booked in next Saturday at GPS .

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 21/09/2020 21:45

I had mine at the GP today (underlying conditions). Need to get DH and the teenager done.

HUCKMUCK · 22/09/2020 09:50

@FTMNOV

I'm 31 weeks pregnant so should be getting a flu jab, rang up my GP last week and was told they have ran out and to ring back next week! This was half an hour after my sister got offered numerous appointment times on several different days for her 2 year old!
Different vaccines for children and adults
Redcherries · 22/09/2020 12:19

Agree with PP, the vaccine for children is different.

I'm booked in for the end of the month in a shielders clinic, fingers crossed they will have stock!

Tfoot75 · 22/09/2020 12:33

Why all the panic? It's makes total sense that if loads of people are buying the flu vaccine privately that don't normally buy it, demand is going to be higher than supply. I have asthma and don't usually get invited by GP til November ish - last year I didn't end up having it til january. There's no rush, flu season doesn't start in September.

I don't get it, you're at no more risk of getting flu than in a normal year, possibly much less. The flu vaccine doesn't protect you against covid? The only reason why the NHS are being a lot more proactive is to avoid having a double epidemic of both flu and covid over winter - nothing to do with individual risk?

Sloth66 · 22/09/2020 12:39

Had mine yesterday for free as I’m eligible, at a small local pharmacy. The Gp surgery opposite told me they would t have any in till late September.