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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

226 replies

NJT70 · 06/10/2020 18:34

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?!

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 06/10/2020 21:15

@Suzi888

Try wwwpatientaccess.com with your post code. Day Lewis Pharmacy in Tooting has online bookings available now.... you will need to pay though.
Thank you so much for this. I've got an appointment for Friday afternoon. I'd forgotten about our Day Lewis Pharmacy and it seems like the rest of the town has too.
VanGoghsDog · 06/10/2020 21:18

I have had flu jab for the last 20+ years and it was the first time it caused so much discomfort.

Yes, this was the worst for me too, ached for three or four days. Friends have said the same.

Happyspud · 06/10/2020 21:19

@ilovesooty, did you tell them you'd just had the pneumonia jab? I'm not sure you can have the two so close together?

HandfulofDust · 06/10/2020 21:22

I normally get the flu jab and would definitely get one this year if it was available but last time I checked all the local pharmacies had suspended them and I don't want to try too aggressively to get one in case I stop someone else who needs it more getting one.

Kinkybutkind · 06/10/2020 21:23

[quote Happyspud]@ilovesooty, did you tell them you'd just had the pneumonia jab? I'm not sure you can have the two so close together?[/quote]
I had my flu jab in late September and was offered the pneumonia one at the same time... I paid, and also had DDs at the same time, which she could have had free through school but not until late October. I didn’t think it worth the risk given the amount of illness in schools at present

MrsMariaReynolds · 06/10/2020 21:26

I booked in August for the jab at Boots (which should have happened yesterday) only to have it cancelled because of stock issues and not being a prioritised patient. Same thing happened last year, and it was January before the stock was replenished. Not ideal.

Bouledeneige · 06/10/2020 21:27

I did a walk in flu jab at a local independent pharmacy last Thursday.

Tigerswife · 06/10/2020 21:31

Anyone at risk, should try their gp first. Had mine a few weeks ago.

Rinoachicken · 06/10/2020 21:36

I’m a care worker and couldn’t get one through pharmacy, but contacted my GP (who was advertising over 65 + health conditions only) and explained and they’ve happily allowed me to have it at the flu clinic.

ddl1 · 06/10/2020 21:36

The thing is that the 'selfish' people may be giving some protection to others because the more people are immune to the flu, the fewer will spread it to those who are vulnerable.

rainbowunicorn · 06/10/2020 21:39

@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! Hmm
If you were entitled to a flu jab due to health conditions then you would be called via your doctors surgery as someone who is vulnerable. If you are not entitled via the doctor then you are no more entitled than anyone else.
Jaxhog · 06/10/2020 21:40

I was called to an early 'drive-by' flu jab by my DR surgery as I'm vulnerable. My DH wasn't, but I booked him into Boots as soon as they announced they were doing them.

Boots has a 'services' section where you can book your jabs, although I guess they won't have any currently. Tesco and Sainsbury also do them though.

QueenOllie · 06/10/2020 21:41

@rainbowunicorn not always. I never hear a peep from my doctors about the flu jab any year and I'm vulnerable
Tried to book, can't get one, no under 65 available in stock. Still shielding so I guess my risk is low anyway

Xiaoxiong · 06/10/2020 21:47

I'm entitled to one every year after nearly carking it from pneumonia a few years ago, called the surgery today as I hadn't heard anything this year. Receptionist booked me into a clinic on Friday, no delays. Here's hoping they don't cancel on the day!!

Silvercatowner · 06/10/2020 21:55

Lloyds pharmacy cancelled three appointments for the flu jab and my local Boots are prioritising over 60s. So nowhere near me is doing them.

Pericombobulations · 06/10/2020 22:04

I got a text at the start of September for my mum, and I rang up to check about availability for me as I have a health condition that means I also get one and after a 50 minute hold waiting to get through, the receptionist told me they were only offering the jabs to over 65's and would contact me later in the month to book mine.

I got fed up waiting so booked one at my local pharmacy and had it last week. I now see their booking system is closed for future bookings and still haven't heard from my Dr's. So glad I took the initiative, but waited as my Dr's told me to but didn't want to wait longer.

I'm sad to hear other vulnerable people cant get theirs either and do think they should be prioritised over healthy people but many of them like me were waiting for their Dr's to book them.

I also work in a place who have booked jabs at a local pharmacy for workers, but we were told the earliest they could be booked was November as the pharmacy were prioritising vulnerable and over 65's.

Glendaruel · 06/10/2020 22:04

I booked mine early. They said when I was in they were releasing appointments in month blocks, so hence my partner could get one booked when he looked at beginning of oct.

ifiwasascent · 06/10/2020 22:11

I work for the NHS so got mine done yesterday and got free costa voucher with it!

ThatDamnScientist · 06/10/2020 23:56

[quote mumwon]@ThatDamnScientist
we were never told by gp we had to ask[/quote]
Our GP surgery apparently sent some texts (some got them, some didn’t) and posted on FB. I asked early on at surgery and was told that they would contact patients who were eligible when they had sorted it out.

Bouledeneige · 07/10/2020 00:09

I'm sorry that frontline workers aren't prioritised but I don't think its right to say other people who get a flu jab are selfish. Thats a bit of an odd thing to say.

I had one last year free through work and this year paid £19.50 for it at the pharmacy. As the main carer for my 91 yr old DF I don't think its selfish to have taken the opportunity to get one when its on offer. But even then, anyone who decides to get one if they can can't know that if they didn't it would go to a frontline worker.

YourWinter · 07/10/2020 00:25

I booked mine online at Boots three weeks ago and had it last Wednesday, paid £13.99 online when booked. I'd have tried Lloyds if Boots couldn't do it. I'll be eligible for the NHS jab extended to 50-64 years old but they will do over 65s and those with certain health conditions first, by the time the extra lot are offered we will be well into flu season and as I work in a supermarket I wanted protection as early as possible.

RollaCola84 · 07/10/2020 00:32

@HelloHello89 I booked mine mid August and had it last week. Any reason you left it till yesterday if you have health conditions ?

Everyone I know who is eligible for a free one (I pay for mine) has either had it already or has had it booked for a while.

Osirus · 07/10/2020 00:42

I booked mine with Boots the day the appointment booking system was opened. I had trouble with getting one last year so wanted to make sure I had mine early. I had mine about a month ago.

I’m under 40 with no health conditions. I just don’t want to get flu 🤷‍♀️

Tillygetsit · 07/10/2020 00:53

My GP surgery rang me to book a flu jab which will be next Sunday.

HelloHello89 · 07/10/2020 01:08

[quote RollaCola84]@HelloHello89 I booked mine mid August and had it last week. Any reason you left it till yesterday if you have health conditions ?

Everyone I know who is eligible for a free one (I pay for mine) has either had it already or has had it booked for a while.[/quote]
I put my children first, that's why.