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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are you getting the flu jab this year?

163 replies

Rainydays55 · 20/10/2021 21:29

Mid 30s just wondering if I should get the flu jab this year? Wouldn’t normally consider it but keeping hearing how as many people as possible need to get it.

OP posts:
SpookyPumpkinPants · 20/10/2021 22:59

@TravelLost

Nope.

Never do it and this year is looking like even more hit and miss as they don’t quite know which variant of the flu will hit the U.K. (as very few cases in the south hemisphere - covid again).

I don't understand your logic?

You won't have it because it might not protect you from the prevalent strain, but if you don't have it, you won't be protected from any strain!

@Rainydays55. I never used to, despite being entitled to it with the NHS as I'm
Diabetic. But last year the surgery pleaded with us to have it, to help prevent the NHS being overwhelmed with patients that could have avoided it. So I was guilted into it so I did the right thing!

I have enough risk factors that would make getting COVID a serious problem, I've done what I can to minimise having the flu as well (jab, wear a mask etc) (Covid booster this weekend).

lifeturnsonadime · 20/10/2021 23:00

I was at dr visiting practice nurse for something completely unrelated and was told I was entitled to the free flu jab because I'm a carer.

Was delighted to have it as I was going to make an appointment to pay for it anyway.

If you've ever had flu there is no way you would refuse it. You feel like death.

nancy75 · 20/10/2021 23:03

I’m trying! Appointment cancelled twice - rebooked for 4th November
I’m 46 but have health problems that have put me in the free flu jab category, I would happily pay to have it otherwise

Wincher · 20/10/2021 23:04

I had proper flu once, in 2007, and I never ever want to have it again. Every year I think I’ll pay for a jab and never get round to it! But this year I have started a new job and HR we’re offering flu jab vouchers, so I got one. Had the jab a couple of weeks ago. The actual injection was more painful than the Covid ones but I had no side effects, not even an achy arm. I’m glad I did

EndoplasmicReticulum · 20/10/2021 23:06

I did. Not quite 50 so had to pay but I reckon I'd rather pay £14.99 than get flu.

Hoardasurass · 20/10/2021 23:09

Had mine on Monday, its only the 2nd time I've ever had it (last year and this 1). I'm not worried about catching flu as I've had it twice. The 1st time I don't remember much about being ill apparently I had a temperature of 104°f and was hallucinating, I do remember it taking 2 weeks to recover enough to make it to the bathroom on my own. The 2nd time I only know I had it due to the screening test saying I did (honestly thought I had a cold).
The thing that made me get the jab is the thought of having covid and the flu at the same time

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 20/10/2021 23:12

I've got too for work (Carer)

elbea · 20/10/2021 23:13

@CatherineCawood the flu vaccine takes at least two weeks to be fully effective. If you got symptoms at ten days you likely caught it a few days before so the jab won’t have been effective yet.

LazySundayPlease · 20/10/2021 23:15

Yes, paid for and booked mine online at boots (as I don't qualify for it free, totally happy to pay).

CatherineCawood · 20/10/2021 23:16

Yep agreed! I thought I'd left it a bit late - was going to a conference. Pharmacist assured me it would be fine! Need to be more organised!

ChequerBoard · 20/10/2021 23:18

Both DH & I had ours today. Booked ours at Boots and was free as we are both over 50.

Was really quick & easy to book with a good choice of dates & times. Much simpler & more convenient than trying to get one via our GP practice.

TheSpottedZebra · 20/10/2021 23:18

Pharmacies, plus Asda, BOOTS etc also do the jab for free, for those who are entitled to the free jab. Might easier thean booking via Dr's?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 20/10/2021 23:18

I'm trying to, but our local pharmacist has run out.

I've had it every year for about 6 years not. If not covered by work, I'll happily pay a tenner to avoid getting actual flu.

So many people say they've had flu, when they've just had a bad cold. Actual flu will knock you on your back for a week.

Butterflyfern · 20/10/2021 23:18

@CatherineCawood

I got it, then 10 days later caught flu and ended up in hospital Confused I get it every year and it has never let me down before!
You wouldn't have been fully protected after 10 days. The pharmacist told me two weeks after jab for full protection and you probably caught it a few days before symptoms started
TheSpottedZebra · 20/10/2021 23:18

Ha, cross post.

Hillary17 · 20/10/2021 23:19

Early 30’s and got mine today! So thankful to be eligible for one but I’d absolutely pay for it if not. Been very thankful in the past to have one and not get half as sick as colleagues.

FangsForTheMemory · 20/10/2021 23:19

@gamerchick

Yeah, get it every year. That one time praying for death is great motivation.
Ah yes. Spoken like someone who’s had the real thing. A colleague of mine caught it for the first time in his 30s and told me he thought people had been exaggerating until he got it.

I’m already jabbed.

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 20/10/2021 23:25

Like Covid you can get flu & be asymptomatic.
However when you pass it on to someone else they're usually not that lucky

WhatsitWiggle · 20/10/2021 23:25

Yes, I have. I've never had flu or Covid, but if the side effects of my first Covid jab - which wiped me out for 24 hours - are any indication of either of these illnesses, then I'm absolutely taking a free vaccine against them! I feel very lucky to live in a country where these things are free and accessible.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 20/10/2021 23:39

Anyone who has ever had flu gets one in my experience. I got it in, I think 1990 when there was a flu epidemic. I literally wanted to die.

SickAndTiredAgain · 20/10/2021 23:42

So many people say they've had flu, when they've just had a bad cold. Actual flu will knock you on your back for a week.

I always get the flu jab, but I don’t know why people have this idea that if you can raise your head off the pillow there’s no way it’s really flu.
You can get flu mildly, and asymptomatically. Some people are probably calling a bad cold flu, but just because they can get out of bed, it doesn’t rule out flu.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 20/10/2021 23:42

Just checked, it was 89-90 and killed 25000 in the UK.

Incredibad · 21/10/2021 00:46

Mid 30s and had it last week, qualified for the free jab as a carer ( which I didn’t know, result!)

PigletJohn · 21/10/2021 01:21

yes, of course

my GP practice is bad for trying to get appointments so I often book online at Boots which is a breeze, and I go to a branch outside town with good parking.

Sometimes I get a GP invitation later.

This year they said they would do a joint appointment with Covid booster

If I don't get an invitation in good time I will go elsewhere

I don't know what cash payment they get per vacc, but it is obviously a moneymaker for them.

GrimDamnFanjo · 21/10/2021 01:21

Yeas. ASAP.

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