AIBU to think my GP surgery should find time to give me the flu Jab?

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

My GP surgery texted me 3 times last week to tell me I needed to book a flu Jab. I've never had a flu Jab before but after the 3rd text I rang the surgery.

Apparently, because of a medical condition I was diagnosed with earlier this year, I now qualify for a flu jab. I told the receptionist that I wasn't actually bothered about having one but she explained that the surgery has a target to meet of getting people who should have a flu Jab to have one. Fair enough, so I said I would. She then told me that they will be holding two flu clinics in the next two weeks. Both dates/times are on days I have important meetings at work that I absolutely cannot miss. The latest appintment at either clinic is 5pm.

So, I explained to the receptionist that I cannot attend those dates. I also said that I do have an appointment booked with a nurse next week for some blood tests, so could I have the jab then? Apparently not. The nurse can only do the flu Jab at the clinics, which I can't attend. The receptionist started to query why I couldn't take an afternoon off work to attend a flu clinic. I did explain that, most of the time I can be quite flexible, but not on those particular days. She got quite huffy with me.

AIBU to think that if the surgery is that desperate for me to have the jab in order to meet their targets then the nurse should be able to administer it when I go to a routine appointment?

I'm missing the point too then.

So you don't want the flu jab but your annoyed that the nurse won't give it to you in a routine appointment?

I'm a practice nurse and give it to people who attend for other things on an ad hoc basis. However, bear in mind it may be a HCA or phlebotomist doing your bloods, neither of whom are trained (at our surgery at least) to give vaccines. It may seem like a two second job, but there are contraindications to having it, so not as simple as sticking a needle in your arm, and legally, they may not be covered.
I don't have it anyway btw.

Also re the reception child gap, it isn't surgeries making up silly rules, they're following the national programme which is being rolled out to more children each year over several years. There is a protocol to follow. We aren't allowed to vaccinate school age children because they're either not eligible this year yet, or we don't get paid for it! Again just following rules. Not the nurses' fault.

Who is supposed to vaccinating school children in the at risk groups? I've been in the situation with school saying it is not their job and the receptionist at the doctors saying it is not the practice's job. Thesis despite public health putting out information saying it is important children in this group are vaccinated.

Our clinics were sat ams. I took my 4 year old reception child as I'd been texted to say she was eligible. Year 1 and 2 in school, reception kids at surgery. I had mine done roo due to asthma but we saw a few of her reception friends.

Curious that the nurse above didn't get it? I thought all hcp did.

It's not just about targets for the surgery but the fact that the surgery get paid for each person entitled to a free jab which goes towards services the surgery provide.

Pharmacies also get paid for each person entitled to a free jab from the NHS. Where does their money go and who benefits?

I'm sure after the vast majority of people who have been jabbed on a Saturday, the surgery will have catch up flu clinics. Also if you attend the surgery to see a nurse about your condition or a GP for an appointment they should be able to jab you when you are there.

School age children in at a risk groups can be vaccinated by the GP, they are paid for these, just not for fit and well healthy school age children. This is the job of the school nurses.

All hcp are offered the vaccine, but it's not compulsory.

I don't think some surgeries seem to know this because there was someone else on here the other day with the same problem. I had to print out pages of the flu plan to convince the surgery that they had to do it if school wouldn't.

The receptionists are misinformed then, or making it up to fob you off. It isn't always massively clear who is supposed to be doing what to be fair, especially as there are different eligible groups each year for various vaccines. But this is no excuse. The nurses should know the 'rules' if you are able to speak to them directly.