Do I need the flu jab?

[Whoooootaminute]

I'm 52. Perfectly healthy. Don't go out atm unless to supermarket or for a run. No young DC at school.

I have never had flu.

Should I get it or leave supplies for someone else more needy. Just got a message from gp surgery advising that. I can book in.

YABU of course you should. Save the elderly
YANBU nah...dont bother

YANBU

If you're offered it then get it

I'd say this year, get it.

Not so much that flu would be a problem, but imagine flu + Covid at the same time.

I'm saying this as a 46yr old that got a flu jab this year, never having had one before

I agree, if they are offering it to you then have it.

Do you know why they've offered you it? I'm assuming there must be a reason so I'd accept. The less people that get and spread flu this year the better.

Everyone between the aged of 50 - 64 can get it as of this week.

My GP's surgery has sent everyone a text saying that they have no supplies for the 50-64 age group and don't know when they'll be coming in so we have to wait to be invited.

Having said that I'm going to pass again this year

My flu jab was cancelled due to lack of supplies. I am under 60 with an underlying health condition so hopefully this means the vaccine is back in supply again.

I'd get it. My husband is 32 and healthy and he's paid to have it this year as a one off.
I have it because of asthma

I don't normally get it but am having it on Friday (I'm paying for it) as the thought of having covid and the flu at the same time is really quite scary

I’m 57, fit, healthy no underlying conditions. I pay for the jab every year for purely selfish reasons- I’ve had flu really badly three times as an adult, properly laid up with it for weeks and I don’t want to go through it again. The vax isn’t massively effective, but it’s better than nothing so I will continue to have it.
I got the text from my GP on Monday and phoned them to say I didn’t need it from them so they could update their records.
It’s a personal decision at the end of the day, but why not?

Definitely get it! The fewer people we have sick with flu this year (and the fewer people who can pass it around!), the more capacity the NHS has for people who really need it.

I'm 43 and have paid to have it done privately at a local pharmacy, and have done every year for at least 15 years. There is no shortage as far as I'm aware. Apart from the fact that with two young DC and working full time I don't have time to have the flu, if I can't get it then I don't risk passing it to any vulnerable people.

Why wouldn't you?

@WitchQueenofDarkness

My GP's surgery has sent everyone a text saying that they have no supplies for the 50-64 age group and don't know when they'll be coming in so we have to wait to be invited.

Having said that I'm going to pass again this year

They should have received them this week. Before then, no they didn't.

I declined mine, I do think vaccinations are sensible but I also think common sense is. I think if you’ve managed to avoid it in 52 years you should be okay, OP.

They should have received them this week. Before then, no they didn't.

No - just checked the website and they are not accepting bookings from this age group

OP, I'm in the same situ as you, and I've also received a text from my GP surgery asking if I'd like the flu jab. Although I text back saying no as, like you I didn't think I needed it, I'm keeping a close eye on this thread and may well change my mind. If there's no shortage then there's no problem.

You are not invincible. Get it.

@WitchQueenofDarkness they may not have updated their website because the CCGs have distributed them so that vaccination for that age group starts 1st December

If they haven't received them that needs flagging ASAP

I'll assume they know their job so will chase the CCG themselves if they need to.

Wasn't suggesting u contact the CCG directly clearly, was suggesting u contact the surgery and query when they are starting when nhs England had distributed and told surgeries to start on 1 December

I'm 53, fit and healthy, not overweight, haven't had to take time off work for illness for years. I've never had the flu jab before but will have it this year.

I'm a primary school teacher. Staffing is really tight this year. We have class bubbles and I don't know how my class would be covered if I'm off sick. I'll do anything I can to avoid getting ill.

Also, the more of us have the flu vaccine, the fewer of us will catch flu and pass it on to people who are unable to have the vaccine themselves. As with all vaccines, by having it, you protect other people as well as yourself.

Helps with herd immunity I guess

I would go for it

I'm 30, healthy weight, no I'll health and paid to have it this year as a one off. If they're offering take it

I'm under 40 (just) and still remember having flu as a kid (under 10). Especially as I now have young children and it's awkward for DH to take time off (he had 4 days when I had my appendix out, 2 of which I was in hospital... Definitely worth avoiding!

I've been trying to get a paid flu jab with no success so far. Will have another look.

Had it last year, planning to every year from now on if I can!

There have been issues with vaccine supply (not necessarily shortages though) but flubok has just been approved for use in the over 50’s which will alleviate some supply issues. (Flubok licensed in the US so not an unsafe vaccine for info). I would recommend it. Who knows when covid vaccine will be available to your age group and flu + threat of covid is a scary prospect IMO.