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 had mine at Boots last week. Booked it at the beginning of August (or whenever it was that they opened their appointments). They filled up pretty quickly though.

We do all need to be getting one, but there isn’t enough to go round at the moment and the logistics of jabbing everyone during covid are a bit of a nightmare so it would help if we let people who are more vulnerable and/or more likely to spread it to vulnerable people get their jabs first.

Had mine today at Tesco, booked it about 3 weeks ago but had to go to the Tesco in the next town (20mins away). My employer did announce they were doing the company scheme but not starting until mid October and I just decided to keep my own appointment so I knew it would be done

When I collected a prescription the pharmacist offered it to me and did it there and then.

I'd still be waiting for one through the GP, I don't think they've start3d yet.

I have booked mine with Lloyd's and they cancelled it twice so far. They do not even let e re-book.

I booked mine 4 weeks ago for this Monday and Well pharmacy cancelled it yesterday.

I'm having mine tomorrow at Tesco. £9 and I can claim it back from dh's employer.

I think I booked it a fortnight ago, couldn't get anywhere with Boots or the local independent pharmacies.

I believe they are now priority only for those at risk and front line workers. I felt a bit bad about it because I booked mine as soon as they were offered, but I think they have stopped just anyone getting one now.

My employer has booked all 1000+ of us a test with boots according to the mass rolled out email we've received. Whether we take it or not is voluntary and I get mine annually with the GP any way.

Tesco do them £9

I did mine via Lloyd's Pharmacy. They had plenty of slots when I went to book.

@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!

If it makes you feel better, I’ve been getting mine since I was a teenager due to multiple chronic health conditions and being a carer for a family member who was also vulnerable and I was on the Shielding list so I do have good cause to have them.

That being said, no one is SELFISH, for having a flu jab. Anyone who has it isn’t just protecting themself, they are also protecting the vulnerable from getting it as no vaccine is 100% effective and some vulnerable people are unable to have the vaccine for medical reasons. This is not the first year it’s been hard to get a vaccine. It was difficult last year and on several other years in the past for me to get hold of them and I eventually got them near the end of November which, given my job, was too late for me and in 2018 I got the flu and it took me three months to recover. That is why, instead of getting it through my GP who always seem to run out and waiting for my “invitation”, I’ve started getting mine at Boots and booking them in advance as soon as bookings go live. I wouldn’t criticise anyone for getting vaccinated. If you are vulnerable, as I am, then you just need to be as organised as possible to ensure you are amongst the first to be vaccinated.

Additionally, if you are a key worker your employer/the NHS/local authority should have stock for vaccinating their staff. Have you asked HR?

I had a flu jab in Boots on Friday and my DH is going this Friday. They aren't suspended here?

I get a flu shot from my employer via boots email from them advised they had shut other bookings so that they had enough to cover the ones already paid for by companies for their staff

I had mine yesterday in my local pharmacy

@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!

Well, hang on. Getting a flu jab when you’re not at risk isn’t necessarily selfish. Not everyone in a risk group can have the vaccine or would benefit from it so healthy people ensuring they can’t infect those who are vulnerable is important

Well lots of other pharmacies do them. I'm getting mine next week at a local travel centre.

I got mine done at Lloyds Pharmacy this year. It was easy, booked online.

Its not possible to get a flu vaccine unless you fall under the NHS criteria for free ones, certainly not anywhere nr Plymouth.

The rush to get a flu jab was of course completely unforeseen.....

I've never had one before and I'm very healthy. So sue me.

Me and DD had them (mine free, DD's paid for) a couple of weeks ago at our local pharmacy - just dropped in and asked and had it done there and then.

I'm over 50 so probably why I could get one then.

Lloyds had a link to sign up to a waiting list, which i did, then 2 weeks later got emailed a huge selection of possible dates and had it done the next day.

My worry is the selfish people who don't need them are getting them when they never did before this year! hmm

It's not selfish of them. People had been ADVISED to have them this year too.