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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:
cptartapp · 07/10/2020 11:28

viva I'm well aware there are different vaccines for different age groups, including the introduction of the adjuvant into the vaccine for the over 65's. But the previous poster suggested she was told the vaccine is adjusted mid way through the season dependant on which strains of flu are circulating. This is absolutely nonsense.
Practice nurse.

cptartapp · 07/10/2020 11:31

*mid way through the flu season that should say. We get deliveries all the way from September to March. The latter ones aren't any different.

CharlottesComplicatedWeb · 07/10/2020 13:28

I booked my flu jabs (for three of us) a few weeks ago. I was in Boots today who’ve said because we booked, IF they have the supplies, our booked tests will be honoured. However, they did say they have been instructed to close the diary in terms of making any further appointments, as of last week. So, this Govt. boasted that more people will be offered the routine flu jab than in any other year And the appointments diary needed to be closed...in September.

GrishainDisguise · 07/10/2020 16:57

I went into a small pharmacy to inquire about flu jabs while waiting for DS during the school run. They gave me the jab there and then. Couldn't believe it! Mind you, it is a student area with very high Covid infection rates, so perhaps they stocked up.

LynseyLou1982 · 07/10/2020 17:26

I booked mine with Lloyds pharmacy in August.

Subordinatethatclause · 07/10/2020 23:19

@Angrymum22

My GPS surgery ‘invited me to make an appointment “ mid August. I do all appointments and prescriptions through a patient portal so was able to make the appointment to suit me. When I turned up they also offered me the pneumonia vaccine. This years flu jab left my arm very painful for nearly a week. As a frontline worker I have had flu jab for the last 20+ years and it was the first time it caused so much discomfort.

Yes! My arm was sore and itchy for days and days this year. Usually it's 23/48 of dull ache.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 08/10/2020 00:08

Just booked my appointment with Lloyds in one week, very quick and straightforward.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 08/10/2020 00:14

I had a text from GP surgery inviting me to make an appointment for one. I went in last Saturday, a very precise appointment time of 10.22 - but when I turned up they didn't even check the time - it was a fairly speedy production line so no waiting though.

GrishainDisguise · 08/10/2020 10:18

Do pharmacists usually wear any PPE while giving the jab? Mine only wore a civilian disposable mask.
We were in a tiny room. I was not allowed to sit down and the pharmacist was petrified that I might faint. (There was not enough room to fall on the floor.) It was all fine though. I am quite chubby so could hardly feel the needle.

FairFriday · 08/10/2020 10:32

Disposable mask in the pharmacy. Kept slipping down. She did keep washing her hands furiously.

WanderingMilly · 08/10/2020 10:36

I tried via the Boots website (ages ago) and it had already suspended bookings. Went into my local store and booked with them, the waiting list was long but they were still taking bookings, mine is 20th October and I booked two weeks ago.

TheDogsMother · 08/10/2020 10:40

My GP had run out but I've just booked with Lloyds

BiddyPop · 08/10/2020 10:43

My GP surgery was late getting them (over 3 weeks delay), and now they have them, are only giving them to priority patients of their surgery - so you have to already be a patient normally and have an underlying condition or reason to need it.

I have asthma and get it every year because of that, so I'm booked for next week (fastest available), but I suspect there are many looking for it this year who never have before.

hettie555 · 08/10/2020 18:05

I didn't think flu is going to be as big a problem this year because of SD?

I could get a flu jab through my employer (health key worker) but I'm not because I'm not in contact with vulnerable people and I am pretty healthy, so confident I could get flu and not end up in hospital (god willing).

bumblenbean · 08/10/2020 18:36

Those who’ve booked with Lloyd’s - be aware they may well cancel due to lack of supply. I booked an appointment back in early September for next week. They have now run out and are cancelling all appointments.

An alternative is Superdrug which is doing walk ins - I went today, had to queue for about 10 mins (As you can’t book a specific slot) but otherwise in and out, very efficient...

jessstan1 · 10/10/2020 00:52

@bumblenbean

Those who’ve booked with Lloyd’s - be aware they may well cancel due to lack of supply. I booked an appointment back in early September for next week. They have now run out and are cancelling all appointments.

An alternative is Superdrug which is doing walk ins - I went today, had to queue for about 10 mins (As you can’t book a specific slot) but otherwise in and out, very efficient...

I heard from Lloyds today. They want me to complete a health questionnaire before I go in for my vaccinations on the 14th so I don't think I'll be cancelled. I'm over 65 which may give me priority.
ithinkiveseenthisfilmbefore · 10/10/2020 12:43

Our Lloyd's appointments were cancelled this week.

zingally · 10/10/2020 20:57

I have to get one because of my work. Booked mine through the Boots website in early September, but still the only convenient appointment I could get was this past Wednesday!

bumblenbean · 11/10/2020 00:54

jessstan hopefully it won’t be cancelled! But I would ring and check, because I was still sent the questionnaire despite it being cancelled (think they get sent automatically)

TheDuchessofMalfy · 11/10/2020 01:13

There a pharmacy between my house and Ds’ school that’s doing them as walk in for all comers.

I had mine at the gp because I’m entitled to one every year but I pass this pharmacy every year.

TheLastStarfighter · 11/10/2020 01:25

It’s strange reading this thread to see how many people have not had problems. DH and I get the Flu shot every year (he has asthma, I have severe asthma and am often hospitalised with infection in the winter). We always pay to get them as I don’t like putting pressure on the NhS.

We booked with boots as soon as you could, but then they cancelled them about 2 weeks before the appointment.

I tried to book through the GP, but they say as we haven’t had it through them for the last few years we can’t have it now.

I finally managed to persuade then to do it for me, but they won’t for DH, even with asthma.

Having read this thread I think we’ll just try random pharmacists!

Crosswithlifeatm · 11/10/2020 01:29

I get mine free at work as an NHS worker.I usually get my daughter one at our local pharmacy so that I don't have to take time off if she has s exposed to flu.
This year they're not available for her.Im hoping it isn't a bad flu season this year or we could spend of time isolating and testing her as her friends at college won't have be injected either.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 11/10/2020 08:59

Having read this thread I think we’ll just try random pharmacists!

I have two Asdas in my town. I rang the bigger one first and they told me I’d be added to the wait list. The woman actually laughed when I told her I wanted to book a flu jab. Presumably they’ve had loads of people trying. I rang the smaller Asda and they gave me an appointment for DH and I this weekend. I had mine last night and DH’s is today.

I would say definitely try the smaller branches or pharmacies. All of the obvious places will be booked up quicker.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 11/10/2020 10:05

Dd has asked the surgery if she is on the vulnerable list (she should be) they aren’t telling her Just that IF she is on the list she will be contacted eventually

I would rather she was seen at the surgery but will try our local pharmacy

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 11/10/2020 10:08

Oh

Not selfish (even though she didnt get one last year) because It could have an adverse effect on her...its not been worth the risk this year, even though she either had flu or covid in march