Found out NHS flu jab only for over 65s this year

[MmePick]

I’ve been waiting for my appointment, had the jab on the NHS past couple of years, as I’m 55. But when I checked it’s now over 65s unless health conditions.

I really really do not want flu, single parent, do lots of driving, only paid if I work, so I’ve booked a private one, but thought would make other people aware.

Unless i am just a dimwit and everyone knows this anyway 😳😀

I know you can pay for it, I said that’s what I’m doing. The point was to ensure people like me know not to expect an appointment

Quite honestly I would just pay if its that important for you (I did)

I took DS1 for his a couple of weeks ago and they offered me mine on the basis that I'm a carer as I'm in my 50s. It's definitely over 65 for most people.

I think I read on the BBC website a while ago that it was going to be for older ones only.

Luckily I qualify for work. DH is 59 and hasn't been invited - sitting tight as work used to pay 50% for partners before it became temporarily free.

@MichaelandKirk literally says in my post that I’m going private

Do you have any of the conditions on the website/list I posted? If you do you are eligible for a free NHS jab

Nope, just thought it was odd to have been offered one past few years then not.

Mid forties here and was invited for both flu and Covid vaccines, due to health and caring responsibilities. Had them at a local clinic run by NHS. Currently weighing up whether or not to get the pneumonia vaccine privately.

I think they widened the availability for a few years after covid and now it's back to pre-covid availability. I got mine free last year and am not eligible this year (I'm 50)

Never mind, you get free university tuition. I think that makes up for the cost of a flu jab.

Here are the flu eligibility criteria (I am vaccinating today).

I'm 59 and don't qualify for a flu jab. Which is fine, because it means I don't have any health conditions and therefore I don't need it! Why can't people just be glad that they're fit and healthy?

I’ve had the real bad flu 3 times in my life so pre-Covid I just paid to get the flu vaccine, it was worth the cost to me. I’m in Scotland and 63 now, I get both flu and Covid free because of my job,my DH at 65 gets them free now.

There are different vaccines for over and under 65s

The NHS is falling apart. Personally I think more people should pay for it, you can get it for £15 and everyone I know who gets a free one can well afford that!

Fellow Scot here, same age and single parent don't get paid when i'm off, living in England. You do pay slightly more tax in Scotland, but believe me you get the better deal.

You don't pay for any prescriptions, hospital parking or sight tests, and don't get me started on the University Fee's.

If you have underlying medical conditions you will be offered the Flu Jab, but if you look at the statistics most people would only ever get flu once or twice in their lifetime, as if you have had flu you would never ever get it mixed up with a bad cold, which most people do.

I was offered the flu jab several years ago and was baffled as I was well under 60 at the time. I queried it but was told 'computer says yes' so went ahead and had it. I've got it this year and last (and Covid boosters) because I spend a lot of time with my mum, who's 92, so I'm counted as a carer. Both the recent ones were done in a pharmacy - walk in clinic - free. I'm very grateful.

I got mine at work (hospital), and was surprised that the NHS trust I work for was not giving covid shots this year. But they did recommend we got it! Was easy to book at a local pharmacy as NHS staff.

I'm in Scotland with no particular medical conditions and under 65.
I got an E mail inviting me to get a flu jab at one of the vaccination centres.

@needapokerface of course we pay for them! With tax.

So as not to derail your post, lets just agree to disagree, but I will say I would rather pay 2% more in income tax to not have to pay for my prescriptions, hospital parking, sight tests and my 2 kids university fee's.

I would still be better off with the increase in income tax !!!!

@needapokerface absolutely. Live in Scotland, very happy to pay a bit extra tax and think it's a better system

I've had both the flu and covid vaccinations and have still been as sick as a dog for the past ten days with some awful virus. The vaccines don't pick up everything.

Irrelevant in this case as the system is the same uk wide on the jabs.

It usually only costs about £10 - £15 to have it done not on the NHS.

Don't people in Scotland get free prescriptions? That gives a big saving so paying for an annual flu jab isn't such a bad deal really.