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Original poster

Flu jab booking available

34 replies

Looktotheright · 14/09/2021 07:06

Hi - a heads up
Im in England and have to pay for flu jab and have been able to book. Was able to get one after work. I didn’t submit but presume free nhs at pharmacy can also be booked

I know there have been some delays in jab delivery but have been able to book early October. BTW GPS separately get stocks so not taking away from someone vulnerable or older. (I also have cerebral palsy and epilepsy but neither count as neurological conditions that made me eligible for free flu jab at least a couple of years ago though I was Group 6 for Covid as would find it physically hard to cope and may make my epilepsy worse).

OP posts:
Londonnight · 14/09/2021 07:08

The bookings have been available for quite a few weeks. I am booked with Boots for next week. Booked this end of July.

MissMarpleRocks · 14/09/2021 07:10

Had mine at my GPs yesterday. I’m eligible annually due to being on immunosuppressants.

DaxtheDestroyer · 14/09/2021 07:12

I booked mine with boots at end of July for start of October. I go there annually and they sent an email I think when bookings opened.

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General health
OasisOfFerns · 14/09/2021 07:18

Had mine yesterday at an independent pharmacy. No side effects this year other than a hot swollen injection site. I was quite unwell after it last year for a day or 2 so was expecting the same this year.
My parents are paying for theirs this year as our GP's aren't even offering it yet and flu season kicks off in a couple of weeks (and the vaccine takes 2 weeks to take effect)

EssentiallyDisorganised · 14/09/2021 07:23

We're booked at a pharmacy later this week, booked it a few weeks ago.

BikeRunSki · 14/09/2021 07:30

I booked mine abs DH’s on Thursday. He went on Friday, I went on Sunday.

Mydogisagentleman · 14/09/2021 07:34

Me and DH are going in October.
I’ve been trying to get my dd to book. She’s at university and has had one COVID van and going for her second next week

Original poster
Looktotheright · 14/09/2021 07:54

Didn’t realise as I don’t go into the pharmacy regularly- good to hear already booked.

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 14/09/2021 07:58

@OasisOfFerns if your parents are eligible for a free flu jab it should still be free even if they have it done at an independent pharmacy.

Wafflepup · 14/09/2021 08:11

Does anyone know offhand if there is an amount of time you should wait between the 2nd covid jag and then getting the flu jag?

Also thanks OP for the booking reminder :)

MangoM · 14/09/2021 08:15

I'm eligible for the free jab (due to medication) but I've booked a slot at my local chemist. Last year I waited to hear from my GP but all the appointments were gone by the time I rang back.

Madcats · 14/09/2021 08:26

I had one by chance last week as the pharmacist in our GP was doling them out to all-comers (DH popped in to pick up a prescription). We gave up waiting for the GP to do ours went to a drive thru centre for last year's back in February.

I had quite a bad headache with it last year (same with the AZ jabs), but I just had a slightly hot, slightly swollen area around the vaccine for 4-5 days.

DD is getting hers at school next week.

Cornettoninja · 14/09/2021 08:50

@Wafflepup it’s seven days between flu/covid vaccines afaik. It’s more about spacing side effects than any interaction.

OasisOfFerns · 14/09/2021 08:59

Wafflepup it’s seven days between flu/covid vaccines afaik. It’s more about spacing side effects than any interaction

See I don't really understand that. My flu vaccine leaflet says it take the body upto 14 days to make antibodies so if you then have another vaccine within 7 days you're really asking a lot of your immune system. I don't personally think it's a good idea having different vaccines so close together (I know lots of vaccines are combined for logistical reasons I just don't think it's ideal as far as the immune system goes).

OasisOfFerns · 14/09/2021 09:00

@OasisOfFerns if your parents are eligible for a free flu jab it should still be free even if they have it done at an independent pharmacy.

Of course, I forgot about that.

PeppermintMocha · 14/09/2021 09:13

I booked in July for first week of October at Boots.

I'm 50 now so I think it should be free. But it sounds like I will also be eligible for a Covid booster - but not til 6 months after the second jab, which was mid-May (so mid-November for third dose). They talk about combining the two - I wonder if they want people to wait to get them both done at the same time, to use up less time/resources/appointments? And if the third doses are offered by GPs, then they might find it easier if everyone is getting both jabs at the same time, rather than having to have separate systems for those who only need one vs both.

Or is it better to get flu out of the way at the pharmacy anyway, long enough before third covid jab.

presumably when they say that they are looking at giving flu and covid jabs together, they don't literally mean one combined jab with both things in it, but two separate jabs at the same appointment.

Cornettoninja · 14/09/2021 09:17

[quote OasisOfFerns]**@OasisOfFerns if your parents are eligible for a free flu jab it should still be free even if they have it done at an independent pharmacy.

Of course, I forgot about that.[/quote]
Wouldn’t want them forking out if they don’t have to Smile (although I’m sure the pharmacy would make them aware).

Re: combining vaccines - I can’t pretend to know the ins and outs of the science but there’s a clear precedent for it I suppose. If my immune system is anything like the rest of me it probably works better under a bit of pressure!

Wafflepup · 14/09/2021 09:47

Thanks everyone. Got the vaccine in August so that should be plenty of time if I get the flu one shortly. Thanks 😊

MrsSkylerWhite · 14/09/2021 09:50

Cornettoninja

OasisOfFerns
@OasisOfFerns if your parents are eligible for a free flu jab it should still be free even if they have it done at an independent pharmacy.

Of course, I forgot about that.
Wouldn’t want them forking out if they don’t have to smile (although I’m sure the pharmacy would make them aware).“

When you book with Boots, you’re asked if you qualify for a free jab Smile

LIZS · 14/09/2021 09:51

Booked at nhs clinic for early October having had a text last week. They are using the same venues as for covid jabs, not surgery itself.

pointythings · 14/09/2021 10:56

I got a letter from my pharmacy - am over 50 so get it free, I've booked in for October. I could have got it through work (NHS employee) but I'd rather frontline staff get in first.

pippapoo62 · 15/09/2021 09:25

Lloyds chemist sent me a letter stating that I was eligible for the free flu jab ,I booked for first week in October ,I think I got the letter because my prescriptions are sent to them .

MimieD · 15/09/2021 09:30

Got it booked too! It is free if you turn 50 by March 31st 2022; I wasn't aware of this until I checked the NHS website Smile

DressBitch · 15/09/2021 09:46

I'm pregnant and can't get one for love nor money.

Not sure what to do. Baby due early November. Should I just not bother?

NanTheWiser · 15/09/2021 12:00

I’m 74, so get it free. I tried LLoyds pharmacy in my local Sainsbury’s but they’re not taking bookings until the end of the month due to delays of the vaccine. A local independent pharmacy posted on our FB page that they are doing walk ins, so I went this morning and had my jab.

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