Eligible for flu jab?

[GehenBier]

I read over the summer that flu jabs (and covid) would only be for over 65s and those with medical conditions. I've had a free one for the last few years (am 53).

No problem. I booked and paid for one via Boots.

Earlier today I got a text from my health centre to tell me I was eligible and I could book there. I followed the link, half thinking that it would chuck me off, but in fact was able to book.

What slightly concerns me in the small hours of the morning is that I have never really understood why I was called for my first covid jab really quite early on and earlier than other people of my age I know. And now this. Am I unknowingly vulnerable? Or have things changed and this is correct and completely unrelated to previous experience which was just one of those things?

And yes obviously I probably need to ask, but it doesn't really seek worth a special call at this point so am just curious if anyone has any suggestions!

Are you registered as a carer for someone? Elderly parent/disabled family member?

Surely there is something on your medical history that makes you more vulnerable (possibly even cleared up/resolved now and GP unaware?) or you care for ill people?

The whole covid vaccine campaign this year recently brought back several weeks, so vaccines are being offered earlier than originally planned.

There's something on your medical records. Could be an error but worth checking, could be something you've not even considered makes you vulnerable

I've been called for mine, and was called for loads of Covid jabs. I asked why and was told It's because I am fat.

I appreciate both the honesty of the health care professional involved and the access to vaccines. But still.....ouch.

I am now close to tipping over into the not-quite-so-fat category, so it was worth hearing it. It did really sting at the time, though.

I am sure you are perfectly svelte, OP. Have you been prone to chest infections or the like?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-vaccines-for-the-current-season/flu-vaccines-for-the-2023-to-2024-season

The eligibility groups are listed here. See if you fall into one of those. Clinical risk groups are wide and varied and include people with a BMI over 40, pregnancy and similar.

If you’re overweight (not saying you are!) that pushes you up the priority list

Ding ding ding - yeah, I'm fat. I didn't think I was THAT fat (BMI nowhere near 40) but maybe the medical centre has a majority of svelte people and therefore I become more of a priority.

It probably is worth checking my records at some point, but that does seem most likely.

@Alighttouchonthetiller congratulations on being in the "not-quite-so-fat" category and hope I can join you there!

Generally speaking you’ll only be invited if you’re eligible as per the NHS/Government criteria otherwise they surgery won’t be paid to vaccinate you!

There must be something coded in your records that marks you as eligible.

BMI of 25-29.9 is overweight
30-39.9 is obese
It might be that OP?

Can you access your GP records online yourself? Mine revealed that I apparently used 1.6kg of chewing tobacco a day! 😱I've never tried chewing tobacco in my 45yrs, nor know what would be an average per day, but 1.6kg (3.5lbs) seems excessive to me! I finally had it removed from my records after realising it was a typo when I'd stopped smoking regular cigarettes in Jan 2006.

Check your medical records OP.

Thank you for the different suggestions! I do tip into the obese section so that may be it. But I will request access to records and see if something odd has slipped in.

Update: I have to go into surgery to get the code to access records. In the meantime, my husband has reminded me that I had Covid in January 2022 which lasted more than 3 months...I think I may be deluding myself about my health.

Thanks for the update OP. Maybe they have you down as having long covid then if you had it for 3mths!

I have been wondering the same about me. I had covid jabs early.and for the first time ever, have had a message about booking my flu jab. I'm not vulnerable or overweight. My husband has bipolar but no longer gets any pip, maybe I'm classed as a carer? But before covid I wasn't called for flu jabs.

I would register for the NHS app and check your records. Many people are finding incorrect information on there. On other threads people have found hospital letters about other patients and conditions they've never even had! I've worked in the NHS and the state of record keeping in some departments is shocking. It may be that you have some red flag on there that qualifies you for the jab but it's actually an error.