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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:
RedHelenB · 21/10/2021 07:42

Yes. Over 50 and Drs surgery messaged me to say they had some spare so have so got it early this year.

Sprostongreen21 · 21/10/2021 07:44

I got swine flu from a patient in 2010. I hadn’t had the jab ( I was younger and thought I was invincible probably) It was awful. I have my jab every year now.
My partner had one from Boots. I have friends that do the same. We are early 40s.
To be honest since then I’ve never really been ill bar the odd cold.

Children can be really poorly with flu and are known to be spreaders so always worth them having the vaccine I think.

ThinWomansBrain · 21/10/2021 07:45

Had it a couple of weeks ago - no side effects.
I do usually have it (age + medical reasons)

there's an nhs website that tells you where available in your area (most branches of boots, but an opportunity to support your local pharmacy).

JellyTotCat · 21/10/2021 07:48

Yes I booked to have it at boots and it was free as I'm 50

bananafruitcake · 21/10/2021 07:48

I have had it. I have only had flu once and it was absolutely awful. My child is having it too. They were hospitalised as the flu became pneumonia

londonrach · 21/10/2021 07:48

Already have

JellyTotCat · 21/10/2021 07:51

Paid for dd17 to have it at boots and dd14 had it at school with the covid jab. Dd17 caught swine flu and I've never forgotten it. It's the only time one of them has been really ill. I was really worried about how ill she was

Whoopsies · 21/10/2021 07:52

Yes, I've paid for mine, only £8 at Asda. Worth it for me, I've had flu and it was horrid and I'm more cautious of viruses spreading this winter.

hedgehogger1 · 21/10/2021 07:53

I get it every year and I'm 40. Had flu once and it was terrible, couldn't get out of bed for at least a week

bangonthedoorgroovychick · 21/10/2021 07:58

I'm trying to get one everyday but everywhere I ring is out of stock,
My children have had theirs (nasal) but myself and DH are asthmatic so always get one. It just seems impossible this year Confused

Cindi85 · 21/10/2021 07:59

Yes, getting it today! I'm 38 and no health conditions so I pay for mine, £14.99 at Boots over the road. I did the same last year. Just feels better going into winter as protected as possible, don't want to make someone vulnerable ill and put more pressure on the NHS. I also work in a school and bugs spread like wild fire.

Cindi85 · 21/10/2021 08:01

My kids are having it too - dd5 at school and ds3 at GP

Jakie7700 · 21/10/2021 08:01

Yes I do every year. Unfortunately they do not always predict the strains that will be circulating correctly each year.

A few years back whilst in my last trimester I caught flu, even though I had the jab and ended up seriously unwell in hospital for weeks. But I honestly believe it is still worth getting as I was just very unlucky.

Igmum · 21/10/2021 08:08

Yes, already had it, no problems at all. DD 15 will be having hers in school

EarlGreywithLemon · 21/10/2021 08:12

Yes. I’ve had the flu three times so far. The second time I developed pneumonia and was ill for two months. The third time the jab did its job and I got a mild form - completely fine in a week.

beigebrownblue · 21/10/2021 08:14

No I haven't ever, but see the sense of getting it now re covid and flu scenario. So thanks for the nudge!

MrsMop1964 · 21/10/2021 08:20

I've never had one before (late 50s) but decided to go for it this year . I recently had the 'supercold' that's doing the rounds and had to take time off work for the first time in 6 years, so I'm feeling more wary of getting ill this winter.

Rememberallball · 21/10/2021 08:20

@BIWI, I have had flu, the same year I had a vaccination, and it was bad. However I’ve never had it in the 13 years I’ve not had the vaccine (and I worked in healthcare for all of them). I will not be changing my mind and will never have another flu vaccination.

bumblingbovine49 · 21/10/2021 08:21

I'm 56 and I've had mine as has DH (54) and DS (17). We booked them at our local pharmacy

Hemingwayscats · 21/10/2021 08:32

I’m not entitled to it because I’m young and healthy but my DC have it every year and my 2 year old just had his first one yesterday.

Motherland101 · 21/10/2021 08:36

I'm mid 30s and had mine early on in September. This was my 3rd time in a row getting it, having had the first one when I was pregnant. I made the decision then to have it every year as we have an additional little person to keep safe.

If we didn't have DC, I still would have gone ahead and have it considering the effects of the pandemic. Whatever happens, happens, but I feel much better knowing I've done my part in keeping my family and myself as safe as possible.

cookiemon666 · 21/10/2021 08:40

I am CEV and am a nurse. I have mine every year

MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast · 21/10/2021 08:41

I am mid thirties too. I get one every year without fail.

Can you afford the risk not to?

If you're ok with losing weeks and weeks to flu, passing it around without knowing in the early stages and possibly having longer term viral hangover effects from flu then be my guest and skip it if you're certain that you are invincible. Completely up to you.

I for one get myself flu vaccinated every winter.

middleager · 21/10/2021 08:44

I'm late 40s and will book one privately.

I had Covid a month ago (double jabbed) and have been waiting for 28 days to pass and to feel better. Covid hit me fairly hard and I'm still struggling, but I had flu once - ten years ago - and that was far worse.

shouldistop · 21/10/2021 10:01

@Hemingwayscats if you want it, you should be able to get it from boots. It's £14.99