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Original poster

Is it ok to get a flu jab if I'm not given one free?

49 replies

lemonyaid · 30/08/2023 20:56

I don't want to pay for one if its going to mean someone eligible for a free one doesn't get one but I'd quite like to not get flu. If I pay for one does it come out if seperate stock? Is there enough to go round?

OP posts:
Bramblecrumble22 · 30/08/2023 21:01

Your overthinking it, it's fine. I've not heard of a limited stock like covid vaccines initially.
Think of it this way, by buying it, your increasing demand so there's more places available to get it conviently.
Your also doing your bit by not being a carrier to vulnerable people, who may choose not to have the vaccine (as it does often cause side effects and only protects against 3 predicted strains)

Namechangedforthis25 · 30/08/2023 21:03

Yes of course this is fine - and you are doing your bit to curb spread too hopefully

most pharmacies and some workplaces hold stock for private purchase - you buying it will ensure manufactures make and supply enough

children have nasal sprays anyway so you won’t be using up their stock either

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 30/08/2023 21:07

I get one for free now - but in years gone by I've paid for one on several occasions . I would assume that if there was any difficulty about sourcing them then they wouldn't go to the pharmacies until GP practices had had the stocks they would need for all those recommended.

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bananaboats · 30/08/2023 21:11

Your def over thinking it, I pay for 1 every year

TickleMyPickle · 30/08/2023 21:13

No absolutely not and if anything you are hopefully helping to not spread it!
I get one free from work but they normally don’t sort out the vouchers till end of October so I’ve just booked one at Tesco for £13 in a couple of weeks.

Original poster
lemonyaid · 30/08/2023 21:15

TickleMyPickle · 30/08/2023 21:13

No absolutely not and if anything you are hopefully helping to not spread it!
I get one free from work but they normally don’t sort out the vouchers till end of October so I’ve just booked one at Tesco for £13 in a couple of weeks.

Same but I noticed I could book now so I thought I'd get it done with and pay for it myself.

Thanks all - now booked in

OP posts:
ToxicPositivity · 30/08/2023 21:17

I've paid for one for the last 5 years since having awful complications from the flu. Though my dh has been immunosuppressed for the last two years too so absolutely no second thoughts on my part.

Sidge · 30/08/2023 21:21

We order our flu vaccines approximately a year in advance at GP surgeries, based on our anticipated numbers. I expect pharmacies do similar. So plenty to go round, but once ordered it can be hard to get many extra.

cocksstrideintheevening · 30/08/2023 21:22

I've had one through work for at least 15 years. Never crossed my mind not to.

MrsRetriever · 30/08/2023 21:24

Why would it be recommended for people to get one if you weren’t supposed to?!

continentallentil · 30/08/2023 21:25

Yes, the free ones go first.

Then anyone who wants can pay. It’s a good idea.

BusinessClass · 30/08/2023 21:30

I had my first free one last year as I was 50 - now ive got to pay again 🙄 😆

Original poster
lemonyaid · 30/08/2023 21:59

continentallentil · 30/08/2023 21:25

Yes, the free ones go first.

Then anyone who wants can pay. It’s a good idea.

That's good! I've managed to book for September so they must be getting them out quick

OP posts:
NeedWineNow · 30/08/2023 22:11

I’m paying for mine. I was eligible for free ones for the last few years but now I’ve got to pay. I haven’t got a problem. I’d pay for a COVID booster if it was available.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 30/08/2023 22:28

Think about covid jabs, when there weren't enough to go round lower-risk people couldn't jump the queue by paying.

WindsChange · 30/08/2023 22:35

You can have mine op Grin.
I’m only eligible on a technicality and I don’t work with vulnerable people etc. I never take it so you don’t have to worry about having mine!

Sundaybaby · 30/08/2023 22:41

lemonyaid · 30/08/2023 21:59

That's good! I've managed to book for September so they must be getting them out quick

Show quote history

My local surgery is giving flu jabs on 16 Sept.

caringcarer · 30/08/2023 22:42

RiaOverTheRainbow · 30/08/2023 22:28

Think about covid jabs, when there weren't enough to go round lower-risk people couldn't jump the queue by paying.

Flu jabs are different. They are not in short supply.

Mariposista · 30/08/2023 23:06

I pay every year.
I rarely get ill but last year I had the mother of all cold viruses for over 2 weeks. Felt dreadful. That was bad enough, I don’t want actual flu!

TomatoSandwiches · 30/08/2023 23:08

I'm entitled to a free one but I prefer to be covered earlier than the NHS roll out appointments for them out so I pay.

XenoBitch · 30/08/2023 23:08

Pay and have it done. No one has been turned away because they have ran out of shots.

FeigningConcern · 30/08/2023 23:12

BusinessClass · 30/08/2023 21:30

I had my first free one last year as I was 50 - now ive got to pay again 🙄 😆

I know! This happened to me too. So annoying!

legosunqueen · 30/08/2023 23:22

@BusinessClass I notice that in Scotland the over 50s are still entitled to free flu vaccines but not in England, although the BBC news online wasn't explicit about the change.

robinsnest1967 · 30/08/2023 23:24

How long should the flu jab protect us for? Just wondering if we had it in September, would that last until the Spring? I've just got over covid (again) which was awful, but last Christmas I had covid which then developed into pneumonia, so I'm really worried about this winter.

DinosApple · 30/08/2023 23:26

I've been trying to book a private one at Tesco tonight but the website seems to be down.

I always pay for mine OP. I had a bad strain of flu when I was 21 and was off work for 6 weeks and lost 22% of my bodyweight. I will do everything in my power to not be that ill again!