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 😳😀

was a nightmare at the GP's, crammed full of oldies, a petri dish of infectiousness, late, disorganised. Never again. I'm going back to a proper timed slot at Boots, in a civilised atmosphere, away from a hoard of coughing poorly people. Happy to pay for the privilege
nothing like that at our GP , clinic is on a Saturday , turn up , check in , get moved through to a room with 9/10 people doing jabs in various rooms . We were in and out in about 5 minutes . Boots on the other hand we are boycotting since a pharmacist accused me of manufacturing a letter from NHS England , needless to say we got an apology but they won’t get my business again .

I am under 65. I just went onto the NHS app and booked at a local pharmacy. I don’t have any of the listed conditions but have high blood pressure (normal with meds). I got an invite from my GP surgery to book as well.

Free around here for over 50’s. £10 at the chemist for anyone else.

People on working age benefits don’t get free prescriptions

They do if their benefits are means-tested ones.

Funny you should say that. I am in Scotland and I can’t get an appointment for either myself and DH. Both 54.

Expensive is different to different people

38 and I was offered mine, went for it yesterday (irony as I have just recovered from flu that was horrendous and left me bedbound for over a week!😂)

Assuming you earn over £28K you will pay a bit more tax than down South but even at £35K per year it works out to around £41 more per annum. Throw a couple of free prescriptions and cheaper dental costs in the calculation and you're in profit.

(Figures rounded for ease).

How do you pay more tax?

Free university up there. I would take that for my kids and pay for a flu vaccine

😂
me too!

It was over 65s last year too unless you have a specified medical condition, pregnant, carer or health and social care worker.

It was only over 50s during the pandemic.

It's like what... A tenner? I struggle to believe that nobody can't save up a tenner. Flu jab is yearly. Have a little pot and chuck some coins in every now and then.

I'm 57 now and paid privately last year and, I think!, possibly the year before too. They only did it during COVID.

As it happens I'm a registered carer now so got it free again this year but not because of my age.

They've also stopped carers getting the COVID jab this year which seems silly! But there you go. In our case Dad will get the jab but he caught COVID when he was ill in hospital last month anyway.

Tax rates are higher up here @theemptinessmachine

My point really was just to make sure that other people weren’t waiting for a letter!

Exactly this. The eligibility rules for flu jabs are clear on both the NHS and UKHSA websites. The people posting that they're being offered it in their 50's (and in one post, 38) aren't explaining why they're eligible below 65, but there will be a reason.

Middle income people pay 21% tax compared to 20% but that is mostly offset as there is a lower 19% rate that doesn't exist in England. The salary tipping point for us paying extra is about £28K.

But we have cheaper dental costs and free prescriptions for all, lower council tax etc so it swings in roundabouts.

£13 from Asda for a private flu jab. I take the bus to work and it's busy. More likely to pick up something therefore. I'm 48. I wasn't offered it. But I knew about it from my local Asda pharmacy.

I'd rather pay and have it as a bout of flu is no fun. I get no sick pay from work either.

I wouldn't have another Covid jab if someone paid me to have it though!

It was opened up to younger age groups during covid as a way to reduce the pressure on the NHS from covid and flu
The pressure has reduced so it will only be offered to those that are most vulnerable. It was only ever a temporary thing that it was opened up to younger people.

People with high bmis also qualify.

I got flu and Covid vaccine so did husband we are in Scotland and 64 yrs young , daughter who’s 31 yrs only got her flu jab but her company initiated that

There are different tax bands in Scotland so overall more income tax is paid by Scottish people.

I agree - it's really annoying. I got a text from my GP surgery telling me to contact them to arrange my flu jab and then when I did they told me I wasn't eligible!!!
I'm 63 and work in a secondary school so am quite keen to have the jab so I've had to make an appointment to have it done privately and pay the £20 😖

I'm 61 and have been having it free for a while (in England). I have asthma but only mild so I'm not sure if that would exempt me.