Flu vaccination for teenager

[MWestie]

Has anyone's young teenager been given a flu vaccination from a local pharmacy?

I called to check availability at ours and he said they won't vaccinate under 18s. But as far as I'm aware he won't be having it at school as they're only offered up to year 7.

Just wondered what others are doing about this?

I think that u18 have a nasal flu spray but only certain age groups get it or if they have long term health issues so it wouldn't be standard for all teens to get it.
Is there a reason why you want them to have it ?

I've booked my 12 year old at my local pharmacy, its a Well Pharmacy. Just booked through the online system no problem.

Where I live most pharmacies don't do children. One does over 12's and another does over 10's so they all seem to have their own rules.

My 13 yo had a private flu vaccine (injection) at our local chemist this week. Cost £12.50 as he's not entitled to a free one on the nhs.

I think some chemists won't vaccinate children but some will - we went to Well pharmacy.

Tesco will do over 12s, as do Boots. There will be others too. I always get my teen done.

Boots will vaccinate teens at some stores.

Not all pharmacists do it I think.

I’ve booked my year 8 son into Boots to have it with me in November (I booked in September, that was the earliest they had out of school hours), he had it last year too. It was an injection. He just missed out on getting it in school as I think they’re gradually aiming for all children to be vaccinated against flu so year 7 downwards would all get it this year.

I’ve chosen to get him vaccinated as the rest of the family do (year 6 daughter will get it at school, me and my husband work in healthcare and also having had flu a few years ago we want to avoid it again!) so felt bad he was unprotected, also knowing how nasty it can be. I know a healthy 40 year old that developed heart complications as a result of flu and died within a week or so of becoming ill, rare I know but certainly ensures I remember to get my jab every year.

Superdrug do teens.

Thanks for all your responses, it's really useful knowing what others have done.

Similar to mocha78, my husband and I will be getting flu jabs, my daughter the nasal spray, so it would have meant my son would be the only one unprotected.

Just doesn't sit right with me, especially as he takes public transport to school and so is potentially more exposed than any of us.

Good to know that some pharmacies do offer to teens, I'd better investigate asap as our local ones were taking bookings weeks in advance due to high demand.

There is a list on Boots' website of the branches that will vaccinate teenagers.

Thanks TattiePants I'll check that now.

Mocha- is your 8 year old having the injection instead of the spray?

Had my teens done this week at Boots about £14 - it is injection. Only at selected stores as TattiePants says the list is online. However I think many are fully booked now. Boots do age 11 and above. I am struggling to get under 11s done though.

Can your under 11s not access the nasal spray vaccine through their schools, vaccines243?

Last year DD age 13 was done with me at Superdrug. No problems.

This year we are booked in to Tesco in a couple of weeks as they do from 12 up.

Good to hear different options, will need to ring round and try to get him booked somewhere.

@Viv0321 year 8 son so he’s 12 not 8 year old!