AIBU regarding flu jabs

[tjacksonpfc]

Hi all probably not 100% an aibu thread but this page gets a lot of traffic so hopefully my question can be answered.

I've got asthma and have been in for my flu jab and pneumonia one today. My ds also has asthma and a heart murmour which becomes noticable when he is ill.

I asked the receptionist if he was going to get called forward for a flu jab as last year he was hospitalised due to flu.

The response was your son isn't in the criterior for one. Now can someone explain to me what the hell is the criterior if my sons illness isn't. Hes 6 by the way.

TIA

"Asthma that requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema; bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung fibrosis, pneumoconiosis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Children who have previously been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract disease."

Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme 2011/12

Any children over 6 months with asthma are entitled to the Flu vaccination, however thet have to be on a steroid inhaler continously and not just now and then. Blue inhaler alone does not entitle them to flu jag. However l try to "bend" the rules as much as l can.
Unfortunatly a heart murmour is not included in the criteria.
Another thing to remember Carers are entitled to the flu vaccinationnot paid carersbut carers for elderly relatives who would be otherwise be without care if their carer got the Flu.
Now anyone can say they are a carer and it is difficult to prove otherwise (it could be MIL FIL etc if they are not a patient). That's how l get around giving vaccinations to people l feel need need but are not entitled to it.

BUT I NEVER SAID THAT...DISCLAIMER

That's interesting... In previous years weren't all asthmatics allowed them? I definately had one when my dx was only 'mild'... don't know if the nurse snuck me in then or not!

If my ds doesn't have one and ends up hospitalised then can i sue the pct for not feeling my son was needy enough for it

id be tempted to ask your gp/receptionist if they would be happy to sign a handwritten note from you suggesting they would be willing to take full responsibility should your son get sick, i am sure they wouldnt,( and i am sure i wouldnt have the courage to ask them either,) but i would be tempted

If you're not eligible but you want the jab you can get them done at the pharmacist for around £10.