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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is my gp being unreasonable

32 replies

hugsarealwaysneededhere1 · 18/10/2017 21:07

I want my 10 year old protected from flu.
Younger child is as vaccinated at school. DH and I are through work.
10 year old can't as not in the school programme age in our area.
I am happy to pay but can't access it locally. GP said it's an annoying postcode lottery but can't help.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 18/10/2017 21:07

I don’t think 10 year olds are on the vaccination list anywhere are they?

As frustrating as it is they have to follow the guidance in place.

Thiswayorthatway · 18/10/2017 21:09

Try your local pharmacy, my work gives us vouchers to take to a pharmacy who can give injections.

CurbsideProphet · 18/10/2017 21:11

Supermarket pharmacies do the flu jab for around £10 if that's an option in your area?

dnwig · 18/10/2017 21:14

No. Flu vaccination is a public health programme. Your GP practice will be allocated vaccines for people included in the programme.

Can you get it at the pharmacy in your area?

missyB1 · 18/10/2017 21:15

I think the pharmacists won’t do them on under 16s. One option could be a private GP?

imokit · 18/10/2017 21:15

GPs have things they can pay for and get you, and things they can't, others in the middle.
The flu jab for people not on the list is one of those things they have no power over. They cannot give it to you.
If you want him to have the flu jab call your pharmacy and ask to book him in. It doesn't need a prescription from the doctor, but you'll have to pay private costs.

DipsyLaLa22 · 18/10/2017 21:16

Your GP is simply not allowed to do private flu vaccinations for their own NHS patients, so is definitely not being unreasonable.

You'd need to see a private Practitioner to pay for the vaccination.

Original poster
hugsarealwaysneededhere1 · 18/10/2017 21:19

Pharmacy can't if under 16.
It just seems very unfair that in some parts of the country you can get it and others not.

OP posts:
Needadvicetoleave · 18/10/2017 21:23

YABU. Nowhere in the country are 10yo in the flu vaccine group.

Get a private GP if you want it.

Ploppie4 · 18/10/2017 21:27

I was told it only gives 3% protection and is really just a money spinner.

Princessbubbles · 18/10/2017 21:32

DipsyLaLa is correct. Private travel clinics do children including flu vacc

BewareOfDragons · 18/10/2017 21:40

Most pharmacists (Tescos, Boots, etc) won't give them to children. Very annoying.

QueuetoaskaQ · 18/10/2017 21:42

Is it different in England then? My 10yo is getting her flu vaccine at school next week with her class. The nasal spray thing.

CrochetBelle · 18/10/2017 21:46

YABU. Nowhere in the country are 10yo in the flu vaccine group.

Which country?

calamityjam · 18/10/2017 21:46

Ds is in year 5 age 10 and had it a couple of weeks ago

Sirzy · 18/10/2017 21:48

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx?tabname=children%20and%20teens In England only those up to year 4 should be having it in School

2tired2bewitty · 18/10/2017 21:54

A friend found that Superdrug round here were willing to do her similarly aged son, so perhaps try them?

user1471583707 · 18/10/2017 22:00

No they are being perfectly reasonable.
They are not in an at risk group so not eligible.
Do you think gps should give to all of parents who want it for their non eligible children? Who would pay for this

It is nothing to do with a 'postcode' lottery. You don't get it in other parts of the country in this age group

QueuetoaskaQ · 18/10/2017 22:04

It is nothing to do with a 'postcode' lottery. You don't get it in other parts of the country in this age group

As someone else asked, which country?

If you mean the UK as a whole then previous posts (mine included) have shown that some 10 year olds are eligible for the flu vaccine.

MammaTJ · 18/10/2017 22:07

Some 10 year old would be eligible, if they have an illness that requires them to be protected. My DD is 12 and has a heart condition, so she has it. My 11 has nothing wrong with him, so he doesn't. It would not be the disaster to his health to catch the flu as it would be for DD!

idril · 18/10/2017 22:08

I pay £10 to my GP practice to get my 10 and 11 year old vaccinated. I think this is unusual though.

wheresthel1ght · 18/10/2017 22:14

You aren't unreasonable to want him protected but gp's are only allocated a set number and have to offer them to the priority at risk groups first. And trust me most years there are not enough to even cover those people. I have missed out on several over the years because there were not enough to go around.

However places like boots do them if you pay.

QueuetoaskaQ · 18/10/2017 22:15

Just had a look at the immunisation Scotland website. All children here from age 2 to the end of primary school (11 or 12 years old) are eligible for the vaccine regardless of medical history.

Notcontent · 18/10/2017 22:25

Yes, unfortunately in England children and young teens are a bit stuffed, even though they would really benefit from the vaccine!! As others pointed out, most pharmacies will not give them to under 16s so it's actually really hard to get it privately for kids.

Musicaltheatremum · 18/10/2017 22:26

I hadn't realised England didn't give it up to 11/12. So no your GP is not being unreasonable. Try your MP or even Jeremy Hunt (if you're in England) it will probably come in a few years. Scotland we do it I. Primary school so up to 11/12

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