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Original poster

Flu jab - do you have it even if no medical reason

115 replies

Outandover · 30/12/2022 12:21

Do you have the flu jab even if you have no medical reason to do so? I’m wondering whether to get it. I had flu once when I was in my 20’s but that’s it.

I am late 40’s, have no medical reason to get it, and only had it once when I was pregnant. I had an alert from the Boots App and they have reduced the price down to £9.95 so I wonder if they or the government are trying to encourage more people to have it.

OP posts:
starlight36 · 30/12/2022 15:33

My flat mate and I both had flu in our early 20s, both pretty fit and healthy and both of us were really ill it. I can honestly say I have never been as ill since. When I was offered a free jab at work I always had one and have paid for one ver since. I don't want to get that ill again - or would wish to pass it on to others.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 30/12/2022 15:38

Yes. Almost every year. My employer used to pay and organize it for the workplace, but now gov't where I live pays. I had flu about 20 years ago, was delirious, literally felt like every bone in my body was broken. It was awful. Then there was an h1n1, or something like that, epidemic years ago, and I caught it while on holiday over Christmas. I remember thinking I would take myself to hospital if I could get out of bed. Truly awful.

KnittedCardi · 30/12/2022 15:49

Yep, we always have it now, teen and twenty something DD's have it too, they don't want to get ill, and freshers flu is awful. It's a no brainer for us.

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General health
2boysand1princess · 30/12/2022 15:51

I’d be happy getting a vaccine that stops us getting any cold or flu virus at the moment. I don’t usually get it that bad, but would do anything to prevent my DC getting ill! Currently on our 3rd bout of viral illnesses in 3 months. Spent all my xmas break looking after our 3 young DC ill with high fevers, coughs, vomiting, headaches etc I’m absolutely shattered. Thank goodness all their poorly days have coincided with mine or DHs hols so far. My employers would never be sympathetic with me taking so much time off.

Lcb123 · 30/12/2022 15:52

Yes I paid for it (no medical condition, 31). Last week my DH had awful flu and I had nothing… it works

FestivePinkFairy · 30/12/2022 15:55

I've paid for the last few years as I really could do without a dose of flu. I'm 50 now so get for free, but if they ever revert back to over 65s then I will still pay to have it.

Hopelessacademic · 30/12/2022 15:55

Yep! Got it free this year as I'm pregnant, but been paying for it for about 6/7 years now. I work in a university and used to catch the fresher's flu every bloody year!

DuplicateUserName · 30/12/2022 15:55

randomusername666 · 30/12/2022 15:22

Yep it's all about the money 🤣🤣🤣.

a lot of people get free flu jabs due to medical conditions, age, paid for by employers etc. Available at Pharmacies, work places as well as GPS.

But even if you don't qualify for free jabs, it's money well spent for the self employed, families with young kids, elderly parents, etc. And anyone who doesn't want to pick up and pass on a very nasty virus.

All these clever people with natural immunity must remember to leave their bodies to science.

Show quote history

My GP will give it free to anyone willing to put their arm out and always has.

And even if it wasn't free it wouldn't be money well spent for me because I don't want it.

To address your sarcasm at the end, do you not believe in autonomy over ones own body?

Because it sounds as though you're not particularly in the 'my body, my choice' camp?

Hbh17 · 30/12/2022 15:57

Got it this year for the first time as I am over 50 and it was offered with my Covid booster. Seemed no reason not to, although there is also no medical reason for me to have it. To be honest, i am pretty much never ill, haven't seen any kind of doctor for over 11 years and (as far as I know) have never had flu. So it would be just my luck to catch it this year, and was worth reducing the risk of feeling grotty!

reallyhatewinter · 30/12/2022 15:58

Yes I got one on offer this year. I've only ever had flu once and it was awful, I never want to experience that again. DH had it at the same time and we really struggled to look after DC.

Almostwelsh · 30/12/2022 15:59

Yes because flu is Not Fun and I'd rather not have it, even though it probably wouldn't hospitalise me.

My employer offers it free, but I probably would pay if not.

reluctantbrit · 30/12/2022 16:08

Yes, DH and I get it for free, my work is paying if you are not eligeble though, and we just booked one for teen DD who is in the middle of GCSE. I also communte by public transport.

My best friend is a nurse and she is concerned about the rising figures thanks to people having not a lot of immunity over the last two years.

Two of my colleagues were down with flu-light, more than a feverish cold, definitely flu but both had the jab and recovered a lot quicker.

randomusername666 · 30/12/2022 16:22

DuplicateUserName · 30/12/2022 15:55

My GP will give it free to anyone willing to put their arm out and always has.

And even if it wasn't free it wouldn't be money well spent for me because I don't want it.

To address your sarcasm at the end, do you not believe in autonomy over ones own body?

Because it sounds as though you're not particularly in the 'my body, my choice' camp?

Show quote history

You're entitled to take your chances.

I'm making my own choices.

ofwarren · 30/12/2022 16:24

Yes
I get it every year due to being a carer.
I've only had flu once and it was the year that the vaccine wasn't very effective.

emmetgirl · 30/12/2022 16:25

Yes always- self employed so I don't want to be ill if I can prevent it.

Mimimayhem18 · 30/12/2022 16:28

I pay for it privately and have for the last 2 years, I have had two bouts of the most horrendous flu in my life. Both times I was poorly for over a fortnight but I had to return to work for financial reasons before I was ready. I wouldn't like to be in that position again.

TonTonMacoute · 30/12/2022 16:28

Yes.

They are predicting a really bad flu outbreak this winter - don't even think about not getting one, even if you are the fittest, healthiest person on the planet.

DuplicateUserName · 30/12/2022 16:29

randomusername666 · 30/12/2022 16:22

You're entitled to take your chances.

I'm making my own choices.

Show quote history

You've given a random, Captain Obvious reply rather than answer the question?

Ok.

DarkKarmaIlama · 30/12/2022 16:30

No but I’ve learnt my fucking lesson this year after testing positive for influenza on a flow flex. Ended up very ill with laryngitis and pneumonia. I’m 34 and I hope not to get the flu again anytime soon.

ofwarren · 30/12/2022 16:32

DarkKarmaIlama · 30/12/2022 16:30

No but I’ve learnt my fucking lesson this year after testing positive for influenza on a flow flex. Ended up very ill with laryngitis and pneumonia. I’m 34 and I hope not to get the flu again anytime soon.

I didn't know you could buy flow flex for influenza. I've just looked and they are only a couple of quid.
Did you do it for work?

yoshiblue · 30/12/2022 16:32

I've had the jab for the past few years but think I have flu at the moment. Feel hideous so my only positive thought is maybe it's not as bad as it could have been.

Unikeko · 30/12/2022 16:36

I have it to protect the vulnerable members of my family. I've paid for until recently and now I get vouchers from my work to get it done.

NeverTooLateToSing · 30/12/2022 16:37

I have got the jab for the last few years, just in case. I’m self-employed. But I got flu anyway at the beginning of December (only the third time in my life, and I’m in my 50s) and was just so ill, so whatever strain I was vaccinated against didn’t cover the one that floored me, sadly.

I’d still get it again next year, though, and I’ll grab the pneumonia one when I qualify, too.

KangarooKenny · 30/12/2022 16:38

I had flu once, proper real flu, and I’ve had a flu jab every year since.

PopUpMoon · 30/12/2022 16:40

Yes, for the last decade. I’m a single parent. I can’t afford to be unwell with the flu. I’ve had it once, ended up in ICU for a week despite being early 20s with no under lying conditions.