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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask where pregnant women can go for flu vaccine if GP won't do it?

32 replies

GentleParent · 07/10/2020 16:08

NHS website stresses the importance of Flu Vaccines for all pregnant women as early in flu season as possible. GP refusing to give them to anyone other than over 65's. All local chemists have run out. Boots & Superdrug have suspended bookings due to supply issues. Already a high risk pregnancy and now stressing about this too...

AIBU to think GP should include pregnant women in the same vulnerable group as over 65s? And PLEASE - can anyone tell me of any chemists still with stocks? Willing to pay and can travel anywhere within London. Thank you!

OP posts:
bethany39 · 07/10/2020 16:14

Tesco pharmacy were still taking bookings near me OP

sofiessofa · 07/10/2020 16:15

The problem is it’s a different vaccine for over and under 65s and supplies have been slow for the under 65 one. I know you’re feeling very anxious - and understand- but it’s still very early in the vaccine season. Normally we’d be aiming to get them completed by end of Novemberish, ahead of the main flu season which is jan to march. Supplies are designed to come through in batches and most years that’s fine - this year understandably everyone wants done ASAP.
Have you tried phoning your midwife? Here (in Scotland) the midwives do all the pregnancy ones, not the GP practice.
Best wishes.

CrowleysBentley · 07/10/2020 16:16

It might be worth asking your midwife maybe?

I have no idea where to get a flu vaccination at the moment myself, I have chronic health issues but am apparently not priority this year, though I get called in to have a jab around late September or early October every year usually.

EasterIssland · 07/10/2020 16:17

I was invited by the NHS to get it done, isn't it this year the same?

RestorationInsanity · 07/10/2020 16:18

Lloyds pharmacies were offering them, but I'd also suggest raising with your midwife that your GP is refusing to give you a flu jab, despite you falling into a vulnerable category. They may be able to give it to you instead in these unusual circumstances. You could also raise this with your GP Practice Manager. As you're in London you could also look for a private GP and book a one off appointment for the flu jab.

My midwife was absolutely insistent I have it (I was planning to) but our GP was fully booked. Sensibly, they opened another lot of appointments because of demand, so I have now had it.

VeniceQueen2004 · 07/10/2020 16:19

I got min done at hospital when I went for my scan OP - any chance of that?

Parkandride · 07/10/2020 16:20

I got my GPs letter today so maybe it's the area you're in. I agree to raise it with your midwife as you should be offered it. Otherwise try Asda pharmacy, it will still be free if youre pregnant

Vargas · 07/10/2020 16:21

Just had mine done yesterday - pharmacy in SW London. Can PM you details.

iVampire · 07/10/2020 16:21

It’s a different shot for the over 65s, so YABU as they can’t give you that one

Had your GP received their supply for the u65s? Mine only got it very late last year, and fairly late this year (flu jab clinics started only this week) Might be worth asking if they expect to be able to offer it soon, and if so then when they expect to open for booking

Otherwise, try every pharmacy within reach

Hatscats · 07/10/2020 16:22

My hospital antenatal clinic is doing a drop in, I’m 38 weeks so was running out of time! Went down and had to wait about 20 mins. Worth checking to see if they are doing the same.

mamaof2girls · 07/10/2020 16:24

My practice (last year) didn't give pregnant woman the vaccine they had to go to the hospital for it

ruby29 · 07/10/2020 16:24

As mentioned above supplies seem erratic this year.

The vaccine for over 65s arrived a few weeks ago at our surgery but we only received under 65s vaccines this week.

Probably that’s what the issue is when your surgery says they are only doing over 65s at the moment.

Midwife or a pharmacy may have stock even if your GP doesn’t

Hopefully you’ll be able to get it soon.

Glendaruel · 07/10/2020 16:31

I got mine done at boots (pregnant asthmatic) in September. She said they were releasing new appointments at the beginning of each month. My partner got his booked by going on on 1st oct, might be worth trying 1st Nov if Gps haven't caught up. My gp normally doesn't give them out til later in oct.

RWK29 · 07/10/2020 16:36

My GP had allowed me to book in for an appointment but couldn’t see me until a week before my due date. I was at a routine antenatal appointment at the hospital yesterday and they offered me it there and then so took it and cancelled my GP one.
So might be worth checking if your hospital or midwives are doing them 😊

ToastyCrumpet · 07/10/2020 16:37

I’ve booked to get one done at Tesco’s next week. Not pregnant but asthmatic so I get a free one.

mindutopia · 07/10/2020 16:42

Do you mean they refuse to provide the flu jab at all throughout the rest of flu season or they don't currently have any of the under 65s jab available? There is a shortage of under 65s vaccine at the moment (it's a different vaccine to the over 65s one). They are likely prioritising people with longterm conditions (as they should really) or have not scheduled the flu clinics yet. Normally they don't happen until mid-late October into early November. I get a flu jab every year. You may just need to wait. Also, are you over 12 weeks? I think you need to be over 12 weeks as well. You can also see if you can book in at a local pharmacy, though they are quite stretched. My local pharmacy cancelled my flu jab as they had no stocks, even when I'm entitled to an NHS one.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 07/10/2020 16:46

I got one no problem on Friday when I went for a scan. Try asking your midwife

FoxtrotOscarPoppet · 07/10/2020 16:48

I booked one last night with Tesco pharmacy.

WhatWouldPennyDo · 07/10/2020 16:48

The waiting time at my GP surgery was 4 weeks (and I hope the baby will be here by then!). Called the hospital antenatal appointment line and they fitted me in the next day (and said they had lots of appointments) - have you tried your own maternity unit?

Sidge · 07/10/2020 16:57

I doubt the GP is refusing to do it, they probably haven’t received the under 65s vaccine yet.

Over 65s get a different vaccine and they may have had that delivered already but still awaiting the other one. I work in a GP surgery and we are getting smaller staggered deliveries this year of all vaccine types, whereas last year we had two huge deliveries.

Deliveries are out of our control as they are supplied centrally, and we won’t book flu clinics until we know 100% when the vaccine is coming as it’s a pain to try and cancel and rebook hundreds of appointments as well as inconvenient and frustrating for the patients.

LynseyLou1982 · 07/10/2020 17:21

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and I got mine done at Lloyds pharmacy. This was a few weeks ago though so don't know if they're still taking appointments now.

oneofthose · 07/10/2020 17:31

I’m pregnant and booked mine through the Tesco pharmacy website and it’s free because pregnancy is on the vulnerable list so entitled to it through the NHS. Got an appointment within the week. Have a look at your local branches

Original poster
GentleParent · 07/10/2020 17:33

Ah - I didn't realise it was a different vaccine. After calling over 20 pharmacies, I finally found one with stock for under 65s and was on my way there in a taxi when GP surgery called back to say that in fact they can give me a jab after all - so they must've had some stock for under 65s. I have an appointment now! Thanks for all of your responses!

OP posts:
Original poster
GentleParent · 07/10/2020 17:35

@mindutopia

Do you mean they refuse to provide the flu jab at all throughout the rest of flu season or they don't currently have any of the under 65s jab available? There is a shortage of under 65s vaccine at the moment (it's a different vaccine to the over 65s one). They are likely prioritising people with longterm conditions (as they should really) or have not scheduled the flu clinics yet. Normally they don't happen until mid-late October into early November. I get a flu jab every year. You may just need to wait. Also, are you over 12 weeks? I think you need to be over 12 weeks as well. You can also see if you can book in at a local pharmacy, though they are quite stretched. My local pharmacy cancelled my flu jab as they had no stocks, even when I'm entitled to an NHS one.
I am over 12 weeks, but NHS website says any time during pregnancy is fine - and the earlier in flu season, the better.
OP posts:
Lulu1919 · 07/10/2020 17:40

I rang today and Asda pharmacy had availability from October 21st
5hey asked if I was over 65 ...I'm not