Flu Vaccine not being given at school until January?

[WinterBabyIsComing]

My DD has just started Reception and has previously had the flu spray at the GP. I'm heavily pregnant and due to have mine this weekend and realised that I'd not heard anything from school.

Called to check and was advised they have been told that they are not scheduled for the vaccines until January! Called the GP who has advised that they will not do them as it should be done at school. Called the School Immunisation team who explained that due to a lack of resources they are not able to get to all schools within the ideal time (October/November) and so some schools are not scheduled until January.

Has anyone else come across any similar delays in getting the flu spray for their children?

Looks like Superdrug Pharmacies may do it but they are few and far between, will have to do some digging.

@josellaplayton

I did light research and came up that spray is better? It's live...

Op, my school offered it too late too. We were able to get it at docs but.. private docs will give you the jab. You can't get spray for children privately

Momasita that’s as per recommendation from the AAP (American academy of Paediatricians). DD’s paediatrician also told me the nasal spray was only to be offered as a last resort, like if there was a specific medical reason why a kid couldn’t get the shot, and that last year the nasal spray was around 25% effective for H1N1 versus around 65% for the shot. But we’re in the US where cost doesn’t come into it (except if you’re on a low income and then you’re royalty fucked... but that’s a whole other thread).

I haven't heard anything from school either. Ridiculous to wait until January.

It seems every year that winter arriving is a surprise to the Government.

Ours got done this week January is far too late

Lots of boots pharmacies are doing children aged 10-16 years, it is only certain ones in areas but if you go to there online services you can get a list up, you have to call them to book, can't book online for children.

Mine can't have the spray (I'm immunosuppressed) but our GP surgery has allowed them to have the jab.

I did look into getting it privately but it was a no go!

"It seems every year that winter arriving is a surprise to the Government"

This isn't a central government matter. It's your local health trust, and how it prioritises its resources. All are facing the same financial pressures, but they are not all making the same choices about spending.

It is damned difficult to get DC immunised outside the NHS programmes - I'm really glad to see that a couple of major pharmacies will now do younger teenagers.

January is pretty pointless. Flu peaks around new year in western Europe. Do report back OP, I hope you are able to book it elsewhere.

Have made an enquiry with VirginHealthCare who seem to do the nasal spray but only in nearest major city ( not that close). Will call Superdrug and check. I don't mind paying for the vaccine but not very keen to have to pay for a private consultation too.

This isn't a central government matter. It's your local health trust, and how it prioritises its resources. All are facing the same financial pressures, but they are not all making the same choices about spending.

It is absolutely a central Government matter, as they are not funding the NHS properly.

It does seem late. I've had flu twice, both times at Christmas!

This isn't a central government matter

It is when central government are the ones cutting funding.

Practice nurse here. January is late but it's definitely still worth doing then. We were seeing people with flu in late March last year. I wouldn't sweat it. If she's a fit and healthy child with no underlying health condition the vaccine isn't primarily being given for her benefit anyway.

Our school had theirs this week

Ooh, excellent news. Got a call from the Nurse at my GP today and they are going to fit DD in this week.

It really isn't a central government matter. If it was, every single health trust would not be completing its schools programme until into the New Year. It is about spending priorities within the budget that you have. Most are not making a choice like this, even h thehae exam the same lack of cash.

I think the responsibilities of more local regional organisations often gets overlooked is rush to blame the centre. But if the centre was more controlling, wouid that actually be better?

We got it at a local private gp one year if that might be an option for you? I agree i’m not sure i’d bother in january.

We all got them done last month, same as every year. I also had mine have the chicken pox vaccine. If the NHS can’t provide what you need, sometimes you have to put your hand in your pocket.

Yeah our y1 child got done this week so not a central gov thing

Whyohsky RTFT?I have specifically discussed that I had been looking to have it done privately but had struggled to find somewhere that would vaccinate that age group, I've also since updated to say the GP are going to do it after all...