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 can't get one at ANY local pharmacy. I have asthma and I'm a teacher. Not enough of a priority.

Booked mine at my GP's surgery

None available at our surgery for under-65s

I'm in my early 70s and have a heart condition so have one every year.

Haven't been contacted by my GP yet.

I was speaking to the pharmacist in my local Boots at the weekend who said I should book one with them and ring my GP as well, find out what was happening with them and then go with whichever appointment came through first.

Corporate vouchers are paid for in advance. Are you suggesting they shouldn’t be fairly redeemed after they’ve been paid for?

The fact is, not all corporate vaccines are for back office staff. The guidance this year has been confusing - usually Social and Health care get them on the NHS but this year only health care who DON’T have access to a OH scheme can have a free jab - which means that OH services are supposed to provide them for their staff. With Covid and problems running onsite clinics, vouchers are the only way to manage this.

I had mine in Lloyd's today, booked online a few weeks ago. Whilst I was in there I heard staff calling people to cancel appointments as they didn't have enough stock, I guess they were giving it in order of booking.

I have a voucher paid for by work but they didn't know that until I arrived.

The public health advice for the last couple of months has been that everyone should get a flu jab, to protect ourselves and each other and to reduce pressure on the NHS when covid cases go up in the cold weather. It isn't selfish to get a flu jab.
They are available in Tescos, Asda and local pharmacies. Boots isn't the only place.

Selfish for having a flu jab?? I've heard it all now.
I had mine done at Tesco, booked 2 weeks in advance, cost £9.

My local pharmacy was a walk in - but I did go to two beforehand. I'm asthmatic so I get them free every year

I phoned my local independent pharmacy last week and booked the jab for a couple of days later no problem. I did this because we were told everyone should get the jab this winter, helping to protect the NHS yaddiyaddi....now there's a shortage, which I wasn't aware of when I booked and it's my fault for wasting flu jabs....obviously having already wasted a Covid test previously if Matt Hancock is to be believed.....I've really had enough of all this. I would be really grateful if the government could consistently outline what a responsible citizen is meant to do so I can just do whatever is required to keep everyone safe....

Called local pharmacy yesterday booked and had it this afternoon. Daughter in london booked a walk in clinic. There are lots of options other than boots

GrammarTeacher, you are a priority with asthma. I am a retired teacher but had a flu jab every year at my GP surgery whilst I was working. I am getting my jab on Saturday, and when I phoned, they said I was at risk (I am 57) so its worth checking again with your GP.

Re “Selfish”

I get a jab every year because of the attached (taken from assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/895233/Surveillance_Influenza_and_other_respiratory_viruses_in_the_UK_2019_to_2020_FINAL.pdf).

Flu kills and debilitates, and the thought of having it and Covid concurrently terrifies me.

Local independent pharmacy did ours 10 days ago. All nhs eligible and have them every year. I do know lots of people who don’t have them usually (nhs and private) who are having one this year however.

@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!

You should be more organised then. I'm fit as a butchers dog but I get one every year as if I don't work I don't get paid so I don't want the flu. You will be pleased to know I'm a 'key worker' though.

The shortage was expected, but not really made apparent until last week. There was severe shortages of the vaccine last year but that pales to now. I think a lot of people assumed those making and buying would have considered that - but it seems not.

And of course, a PHE push to everyone having the vaccine has meant corporations have been trying to go for ‘best practice’ to ensure their staff are safe - which is should be in all honesty! Who knows what complications might arise if you end up with the flu and COVID as a healthly individual.

[I am painfully impassioned by the flu vaccine as it’s my job to organise every year (messy and annoying at the best of time). ]

On Boots site you go so far into it and then it asks for your voucher code (or whatever it is called). I didn't have one, so couldn't go further. Then I registered with both Well and Lloyd's pharmacy to be notified when they next had stocks available, and the next day received an email and was able to book one at a local Lloyd's. It's very straightforward on the pharmacy sites and in my case definitely worth registering. Still not heard from Well, but Lloyd's had loads of appointments free.

I booked one a while ago as I was picking up a prescription and they asked if I wanted to book one, I thought may as well seen as though people are being encouraged to have one. Once it was clear there is a shortage, I said happy to cancel mine and for someone else to have it, but they said if I did I would not get my money back, so in honesty went ahead and had it today. They were taking online bookings a few weeks back as well, but think the corporate ones are through a different link as they've already been paid for and allocated as has been said and the 'normal' site has been suspended.

I can't get one anywhere in my area (tried local pharmacies, Lloyds, boots, Superdrug, all supermarkets and my GP) I'm asthmatic so am
supposed to have one

I had mine at the local pharmacy. A 2-week wait (which is not unlike previous years), but no extreme difficulty in getting it.

I booked mine with Boots about 3 weeks ago... it’s meant to be on Friday but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s cancelled as I’m not on the vulnerable list.

Try wwwpatientaccess.com with your post code.
Day Lewis Pharmacy in Tooting has online bookings available now.... you will need to pay though.

I should add that I do have a very rare chromosome abnormality which is so unusual that my consultant couldn’t tell me if I’m more at risk of serious complications from flu, so I’m not risking it.

GPs are doing everyone that's entitled.

Th ones booked by your employer via the voucher scheme are not being cancelled. They are already paid for by the employer that's why.