Question about flu and vaccinations

[musicalfrog]

Sorry if it's been asked already. New developments have made me wonder.

If flu causes so much serious illness and death every winter, why isn't everyone vaccinated against it to help reduce the spread? Instead of just children, the elderly and those who are clinically vulnerable /pregnant.

@musicalfrog

That's kind of what I mean though. Every winter the NHS is put under huge pressure. I may be wrong but I'm guessing that flu is the reason. So why not ease the pressure by offering everyone a vaccine. Uptake may be low but it would still be more than have it currently.

Flu is ONE reason why NHS is under pressure in winter, but not the only one. It’s respiratory illness in general which is the issue.

@Gubanc

At any rate, anyone can book a flu jab at any pharmacy. You just have to pay for it. I do that every year. I can't see any read why GP surgeries should do more flu jabs than they already are. Especially as they'll probably be doing Covid jabs as well in view of the fact that there are variants around.

Oh dear, that should be 'any reason' not 'any read'. Predictive text again.

Thank you @Sootess that answers my question.