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Original poster

Anyone else had their flu jab cancelled?

31 replies

TheMidnightLibrary · 20/09/2022 14:23

I am not eligible for NHS flu jabs any more, so for the last four years have booked via a pharmacy. I booked online with Boots a few months ago, but have just had an email saying my booking has been cancelled. There is no reason given.

Has this happened to anyone else and does anyone know why it has been cancelled? Is there a shortage of vaccine?

Many thanks

OP posts:
queenrollo · 20/09/2022 14:28

well this is interesting. I dragged myself all the way into town this morning for my private jab with Boots and when I got there was told they had no approved pharmacist on site and so my appointment was cancelled. I was cross that I hadn't had a text or an email to let me know. They have rebooked me for Friday.

They were still doing NHS jabs but said the nurse wasn't insured to administer the private ones.

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 20/09/2022 14:29

I have my boots one tomorrow so I hope not.

Original poster
TheMidnightLibrary · 20/09/2022 14:56

How odd, @queenrollo! Mine was due in 10-ish days time, but I'm in town tomorrow so I may pop in to Boots and ask.
A couple of years ago they ran out of vaccine when I'd booked at Tesco pharmacy, so I had to go on a waiting list for when stock came in, but they told me this was the case rather than just cancelling altogether.
Its really frustrating as I used to get a NHS one until my asthma improved too much to be eligible.
Having historically been hit really hard by flu (5 weeks off work!) and working in education I want to be as protected as possible so I don't let the school down.
I'm waiting for my 4th Covid booster invite, so I wonder if they're planning to do both together at my GP surgery (living in hope?)

OP posts:

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General health
TabbyBeast · 20/09/2022 15:22

I had a pre-booked appointment for my flu jab with Boots. Turned up only to be told they gave my vaccine to a walk in and didn't t have any more. No text or phone call to let me know before I left home. Always a problem with Boots

Original poster
TheMidnightLibrary · 20/09/2022 15:27

Thinking back, last year I had a text from Boots telling me I'd missed my appointment a couple of hours after I had had my jab!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMidnightLibrary · 20/09/2022 15:54

I've just been on the Tesco website to look at options and saw this
People aged 50-64 and NOT in a clinical risk group will also be eligible for a free NHS flu jab in England, Wales and Scotland, although the timing of the NHS flu jab being available to this group in each country is still being confirmed. Please check back on this site for further updates if you are aged 50-64 and NOT in a clinical risk group.
I'm in the 50 - 64 age category, so maybe that's why they cancelled and are refunding my money.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMidnightLibrary · 20/09/2022 15:56

And Lloyd's Pharmacy website says this:
Aged 50-64? All 50-64 year olds are eligible for a FREE NHS flu jab from the 15th October. If you meet the medical eligibility for a free NHS flu vaccine you can book earlier subject to availability.

OP posts:
MeanderingGently · 20/09/2022 16:12

I booked my NHS jab with Boots; I wasn't allowed to book before October as the September slots were for clinically at-risk people. I'm hoping mine won't be cancelled...nothing as yet.
I always go via Boots because if I wait for my GP surgery to contact me, they never do until about January, that's far too late for me.

queenrollo · 20/09/2022 16:42

@TheMidnightLibrary ah maybe that's why? It's still infuriating to not get an explanation though!

@MeanderingGently I don't get any NHS eligibility at all but if I go down with flu it impacts vulnerable family members so I try and get mine as early in the season as possible.

SallyWD · 20/09/2022 16:51

I had mine at Boots today. I'm fact they brought it forward by a week.

Porridgeislife · 20/09/2022 16:55

I tried to book my flu jab online at Boots & Superdrug this morning and there were no appointments at all in most of the branches closest to me.

Plump82 · 20/09/2022 16:57

I've had 4 different appointments with Lloyd's cancelled, all for different dates. I'm 40 so not in the above age bracket but assuming it might be a similar story.
I can't get any appointments at all for Boots.

Dougieowner · 20/09/2022 17:05

Boots cancelled my jab last year but this year it was fine, had it done on Saturday.

Madcats · 20/09/2022 17:21

I'm due to have my jab at Boots tomorrow (and have had 2 email reminders). Luckily it is just a 10 minute walk away, so it will just be a bit annoying if I get turned away.

Our GP didn't get round to organising them until the Spring last year so I just decided to book and get some cover over winter. I've not had flu for about 20 years and don't fancy getting another bout if I can help it.

JacquelineCarlyle · 20/09/2022 18:42

Thanks for this thread as it's reminded me to book my vaccine (although sorry for your cancellation Op!)

Floralnomad · 20/09/2022 18:47

I’d booked us in for Lloyds on Oct 7 th ( 2 paid and 1NHS) and they were cancelled today by email . I will try Tesco in a couple of weeks as we are boycotting Boots .

JacquelineCarlyle · 20/09/2022 18:50

Oh no @Floralnomad - it's Lloyds that I've literally just this minute booked with (for 5th October!)

Floralnomad · 20/09/2022 19:10

@JacquelineCarlyle i wouldn’t worry it’s probably due to the branch I booked with which is pretty crap just dishing out pills let alone anything else . I only booked with them in the first place because they are our closest chemist .

andtheweedonkey · 20/09/2022 19:58

@Plump82 and @Floralnomad
We had ours cancelled by Lloyds multiple times last year.
The first time they had no vaccine, the other 3 were no pharmacist.
They eventually got a locum Grin

Plump82 · 20/09/2022 21:36

andtheweedonkey · 20/09/2022 19:58

@Plump82 and @Floralnomad
We had ours cancelled by Lloyds multiple times last year.
The first time they had no vaccine, the other 3 were no pharmacist.
They eventually got a locum Grin

I've booked one for the beginning of November so hopefully this one works out. I'd have liked it a bit sooner than that but beggers can't be choosers!

POTC · 20/09/2022 21:58

TheMidnightLibrary · 20/09/2022 14:56

How odd, @queenrollo! Mine was due in 10-ish days time, but I'm in town tomorrow so I may pop in to Boots and ask.
A couple of years ago they ran out of vaccine when I'd booked at Tesco pharmacy, so I had to go on a waiting list for when stock came in, but they told me this was the case rather than just cancelling altogether.
Its really frustrating as I used to get a NHS one until my asthma improved too much to be eligible.
Having historically been hit really hard by flu (5 weeks off work!) and working in education I want to be as protected as possible so I don't let the school down.
I'm waiting for my 4th Covid booster invite, so I wonder if they're planning to do both together at my GP surgery (living in hope?)

My surgery are doing both together, I'm 40 but qualify for both and had my invite to book last week. They're not doing them until end of October mind!

QueenOfWeeds · 20/09/2022 22:08

Two years ago Boots cancelled mine, then Lloyds cancelled my replacement appointment. I ended up getting one at an independent pharmacy near DSis who had availability. Last year I had it at Lloyds with no issues. Currently got mine booked with Lloyds and crossing my fingers…

IvysMum12 · 20/09/2022 22:36

We went in to Boots on Saturday to book our flu vaccinations, and they did them then and there.

PeloFondo · 20/09/2022 22:48

I don't know how old you all are but I went for my 5th covid vaccine and had my flu jab - but they had run out of over 65s flu jabs! Loads of the under 65 version left

Pixiedust1234 · 21/09/2022 01:01

Based on this thread i went to see if lloyds pharmacy near me was available (so thanks!) got booked in for 3rd oct. Fingers crossed mine doesn't get cancelled.