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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about lack of Flu vaccine?

65 replies

OhHolyNightWaking · 25/10/2019 09:41

Our GP practice holds open flu clinics. These have all now passed, without any children receiving the nasal flu vaccine because the surgery has been unable to order it.

I understand there is a shortage, but I am worried about my DS potentially not receiving the vaccine this year. Is anyone else in the same boat? Wondering if the shortage is being felt everywhere, or if my GP surgery has cocked up by ordering too late or something?

It isn't possible to pay for the nasal vaccine for children privately (as far as I can see) otherwise I would look into this. However that probably isn't an option anyway as presumably the shortage will be impacting both public and private sectors.

AIBU to be concerned about this?

OP posts:
Cloverfern · 25/10/2019 09:43

I can’t say it’s something I’m concerned about tbh. I declined this vaccine though.

penisbeakers · 25/10/2019 09:44

I am very concerned. I am in a risk category and need the jab but can't get one because they have run out locally.

MunchyMunchkin · 25/10/2019 09:44

There is a national problem with supply, your gp will probably run clinics for the 2-4 year olds once the supplies arrive.

Jellybean100 · 25/10/2019 09:45

It’s the same with us, however I’m not really panicking about it, it’s a very recent vaccine and children were fine before it.

Original poster
OhHolyNightWaking · 25/10/2019 09:51

@penisbeakers I didn't realise the shortage was impacting the adult vaccine too. How frustrating for you. I also need it as I am in an at risk group. You have motivated me to book today! Have you looked at booking yours via a chemist?

@Jellybean100 that's a really good point. I probably sound a bit hysterical don't I? Blush
My DS has suffered so much with really awful chest colds already this year, so I find the thought of flu quite worrying, but I appreciate I am probably being unreasonable.

OP posts:
NovoJester · 25/10/2019 09:52

Ah. This would explain why I haven’t been called for my flu jab!!!

PianoTuner567 · 25/10/2019 09:56

I decline it every year for my children so don’t worry about it!

Osirus · 25/10/2019 09:57

Mine hasn’t ordered the child vaccine yet either. I’ve booked an appointment with Boots for mine. The second one as the first was cancelled as they’d run out. It’s definitely not as easy this year. My DD had hers on 24th October last year.

f1fan2015 · 25/10/2019 09:57

@penisbeakers

I am in the same situation, the doctors' surgery recommended finding a chemist with stock. You can fill in a form to show you are eligible to have the jab for free and get it from them instead of the doctor.

NovoJester · 25/10/2019 09:58

Just got an appointment for one on the 7th of November. Apparently I’d been missed off the list.

Wolfiefan · 25/10/2019 09:59

Our surgery haven’t got any adult vaccine for under 65s. Boots have. So I went there. Immunosuppressed with asthma so wanted it ASAP. As I’m entitled to an NHS vaccine it was free.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 25/10/2019 09:59

What, again?

Didn’t we have this last year as well?

Camomila · 25/10/2019 09:59

I was wondering why DS hadn't been called yet but DDad and I had. He's not had his pre-school booster yet which worries me more as I'm pregnant (must ask midwife for advice at next appointment!)

Embracelife · 25/10/2019 10:01

Dd got one at boots and didn't have to pay... they gave a form to fill in ti get it free as she entitled to it on nhs due to health condition
So ho to boots or other pharmacy and ask

Pengweng · 25/10/2019 10:02

When I went for my private jab at Boots last weekend I got the last vaccine in the store and the pharmacist said she didn't know when the new stock was arriving and she would have to cancel some other appointments for later that day.

My kids are meant to get the nasal spray at school. I think it has been scheduled for the end of November which is ridiculous as it then takes a few weeks to take effect and by then we are half way through flu season.

hazeyjane · 25/10/2019 10:02

Yes I'm worried about it.

Ds has a genetic condition and can get very ill.

The children's ward here is already at capacity.

BlaueLagune · 25/10/2019 10:02

I didn't think surgeries were generally getting supplies until November?

I wouldn't worry anyway, it's not like other vaccines, it's always hit and miss whether it actually works or not as "they" have to get the right strains and it's a bit of guesswork. So a couple of weeks' delay is unlikely to be too much of an issue. Full blown flu is pretty rare anyway (thank goodness) I have only had it twice in my life and I've never had a vaccine. DH can get it at work and as he had chest problems earlier in the year I told him to take advantage in case he still has a bit of an ongoing weakness.

But annoyed with DS who had the chance to have the men B vaccine at sixth form and was too lazy to go along and get it!

GrumpyHoonMain · 25/10/2019 10:02

Where I live most NHS GPs are out of stock while private chemists / GPs have a surplus stock. I have a feeling this is more of a NHS / trust Cost prioritization issue than anything else.

bobisbored · 25/10/2019 10:04

I had no idea there was a shortage. I paid for mine in Boots and my DD gets hers at school next week. The whole school are being done.

hazeyjane · 25/10/2019 10:04

I didn't think surgeries were generally getting supplies until November?

All our under 65s have been cancelled. I was due this weekend.

raspberryk · 25/10/2019 10:05

It's a relatively recent vaccine for non at risk groups, my kids have never had it but they will probably have it this year.
In some previous years the rate of effectiveness has been incredibly low at prevention, combined with the fact it only protects against 4 strains means that it would not be anything to worry about in my eyes.

scaevola · 25/10/2019 10:06

This season is different to the previous one, because the strains to be incorporated required a late change, and that set manufacturing back by about one month, leading to delays later in the supply chain. Usually sticks begun tomarrive from July onwards, this year it was August

The difficulties are localised in the supply chain - my GP has plenty of sniff and over-65, but has yet to receive the U65 injectable. But the pharmacist directly opposite the surgery has it.
I
DC who do not attend school should access their sniff version via GP, so I suggest OP rings to find out when they expect supplies and when/how to book for it.

user1471505356 · 25/10/2019 10:47

Hopefully the flu won't arrive until the new year which is the usual pattern.

Antler728 · 25/10/2019 10:50

I don’t understand why they’re vaccinating all the primary school aged children if there’s a shortage. All at risk groups should be dont first.

hazeyjane · 25/10/2019 10:55

Yes, annoyingly I took ds off the school list as his additional needs makes it very difficult for him to have it at school. Last year he was done before it came into school at the GPs. This year the surgery don't even know when the children's one might come in.