To wonder how people are booking flu jabs when Boots have suspended them

[NJT70]

A genuine question. I have tried to book a flu jab with Boots several time in the last couple of weeks and have always got the widely publicised message that the service has been suspended. I was at my local Boots today waiting for a prescription and got chatting to someone who was waiting for a flu jab. I said lucky him as I couldn’t book to which he replied that it was his first time because his employer had given him a voucher and that he only booked it online on Friday through the Boots website. How? Where is this magic website and how do you access it?!

I booked mine two months ahead and DH booked his two weeks ago.

I’ve just had mine through work because I’m NHS. I think there’s priority for front line workers/long term health conditions and over 65’s. I think the demand for those that wouldn’t usually have it is high so they might have run out of vaccine for general population?

@NJT70 I had a family member try for days on end and got the same message then just happened to try pretty late on Monday night and got straight on to get one booked for next week!!

Have you asked if your local pharmacies are doing them?

Boots have suspended them because vaccine shortage means that they can only honour the ones already booked. With the corporation vaccine service, the company would of already paid for them beforehand (so the vaccine was already secured) and the employee booked later.

I booked mine at Lloyd's pharmacy a couple of weeks ago and had the jab last week.

I’m on immunosuppressant medication and can’t get a flu jab. Thee seems to be a mass shortage.

I tried to get one today myself because of my health conditions and because I'm a key worker but there wasnt any left. Docs are running out as are pharmacies. My worry is the selfish people who don't need them are getting them when they never did before this year!

Lloyds pharmacy and sainsburys pharmacy are doing them too

Lloyd’s pharmacy at Sainsbury, £12.99 I had it today. A work colleague at the wellness pharmacy last week.

The corporate scheme with Boots is a separate booking link rather than the main Boots website.

ASDA do them

I have this through work, they bought the vouchers a few months back and you have to click on the link from Boots to book. I didn't realise they were limiting them when I booked though and now I feel bad that I have one and someone at risk.might need it!

Just book one somewhere else. Why does it have to be Boots?

@HelloHello89

I tried to get one today myself because of my health conditions and because I'm a key worker but there wasnt any left. Docs are running out as are pharmacies. My worry is the selfish people who don't need them are getting them when they never did before this year!

Everyone else is just as entitled to one as you are. People are being encouraged to get one this year. I think your frustration is a bit misplaced there.

Tesco are doing them for £9.

Mine was booked earlier in September through the website or app (sorry I can’t remember). Colleagues are getting them fairly easily by asking at their local pharmacies. Maybe try asking at Boots in person and if that doesn’t work try independent chemists and Lloyds, Superdrug etc.

"My worry is the selfish people who don't need them are getting them"

We all need to be getting a flu jab to protect those who the jab won't work as well for.

I did a walk in appt at day Lewis near me. Was in and out in less than 5 mins. I'd tried 6 other local pharmacies before discovering this.

I booked mine the last week of August and had it done this week.

My local pharmacy is doing a walk in clinic this week and jabbing anyone who turns up. Maybe try a pharmacy rather than Boots?

Because Boots is not the only pharmacy? I did mine last week with Lloyds. No issues booking.

Everyone else is just as entitled to one as you are. People are being encouraged to get one this year. I think your frustration is a bit misplaced there.

Come on, now - everyone knows that throwing the term ‘key worker’ around makes you far more entitled than any of the normal, ‘selfish’ people

I'm getting mine at my GP surgery in a week.

Because there are other pharmacies?

I have one every year - paid for rather than because I meet the NHS criteria. I just don’t want flu and can’t afford to get flu when looking after dcs/working. This year I booked 4 weeks ago at my local pharmacy and had it yesterday. My eldest dcs also had theirs - but they’re in the 12-18 age group so don’t qualify for the school ones. I also paid for them.