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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To decline Covid Booster?

85 replies

8lbOfSugar · 18/10/2024 21:28

I have an appointment for my covid booster and flu jab on 3rd Nov. Flu is routine due to being asthmatic and I don't mind getting that one. However I'm cautious about getting them both together. My Grandparents and a couple of friends have already had theirs and all of them have been knocked for 6 and had to stay in bed for 3ish days afterwards.

For context I've had minimal reaction to the previous jabs and the flu does make me ill for a period but I can go about my normal day with the symptoms. However I am now a lone parent to a newborn with very little support/childcare options so if it was to affect me being able to function normally then I have no one to step in to look after DS. GP are elderly and quite poorly, friends work and have their own families.

Am I allowed to decline the booster but still get my flu? Could I get the booster at a later date maybe? Has anyone had theirs recently and able to say how it affected them?

OP posts:
loulouljh · 18/10/2024 22:16

Do you really need these jabs??

EffortlesslyInelegant · 18/10/2024 22:17

I had both one week apart. Flu jab gave me a sore arm and definite cold symptoms for two days which then disappeared as quickly as they came. Had Covid jab last Friday and I've been absolutely floored with a raging cold the last three days. It's not Covid but it's nasty. Might be a coincidence - I just don't know.
Didn't have the Covid booster last year and really really regretted it when I got very ill indeed with Covid. Twice. Never really know what to do for the best.

pizzaHeart · 18/10/2024 22:19

I don’t like to have Covid and flu jabs together ( just personal preference) so I do them separately. I did this last year and planned the same this year.
I do Covid jab at the surgery when the appointment is offered and then book my flu jab at the local Boots pharmacy when it’s convenient for me. It’s very simple and straightforward process.
If I were you I would look up online what pharmacies around you do flu jabs. I do it in Boots as it’s easier for me to get there but others do them as well and you can easily book online. There is usually availability on weekends so in practice you might even book something for tomorrow.

godmum56 · 18/10/2024 22:20

if you are entitled to these jabs on the NHS, then it might be worth looking to get them at a local pharmacy rather than the GP. Round me the pharmacies doing it are much more relaxed about booking separately and there was more date and time options. GP's offered me weekend only and both together only so I went elsewhere. Boots do them as well as the independents.

Tekphobebruvva · 18/10/2024 22:20

loulouljh · 18/10/2024 22:16

Do you really need these jabs??

Good question. But you’ll get jumped on for saying it no doubt.

Keepingongoing · 18/10/2024 22:20

Are you in England OP? Because I booked my Covid booster through the NHS online system rather than the GP. You get the jabs at local pharmacies.

I can’t see there’d be a problem with just having one of them at your GP practice. Perhaps courteous to let them know in advance.

With the reaction you’ve described to the flu jab, and being a lone parent to a baby, it sounds like it would be wisest, and entirely reasonable, to separate them.

I always feel very poorly for several days after the Covid jab and am allowing 3 weeks between that one and the flu.

OdeToBarney · 18/10/2024 22:21

I had both on the same day two weeks ago. Felt fine, apart from one sore arm (covid) the next day.

If you can go about your daily activities, you haven't had flu. Who will look after your newborn if you're delirious in bed for three days with flu? And what if you then pass it to them?

PaintedPottery · 18/10/2024 22:22

I had the flu jab last week at the surgery, but I declined the Covid one.

pizzaHeart · 18/10/2024 22:22

Forget to mention last year Covid jabs were easily available at pharmacies. I booked DD online and again it was very simple. Not sure if they are doing them this year for NHS patients but you can easily google.

Notreat · 18/10/2024 22:23

I had mine both at the same time and so have all my friends we have been completely ok. Apart from sore arms no side effects. I only know one person who has been ill and he was fine after a day

hellywelly3 · 18/10/2024 22:25

I’ve felt ill for a few days the last few times I’ve had the booster but not this time. Had flu and Covid at same time a week ago and felt absolutely fine

Swivelhead · 18/10/2024 22:26

Of course you can decline! You don't have to give a reason.

Daisymay2 · 18/10/2024 22:27

Had both yesterday, no reaction apart from Covid jab bit uncomfortable when I leant against a door frame this morning.

godmum56 · 18/10/2024 22:31

I am not going to comment on what other people should do but i get jab side effects to some degree every year....even when it was just a flu jab, long before covid. BUT I have had flu twiice, once as a healthy teenager and the second time as a healthy active 40YO. Both times it was awful and it took me weeks to get over. I reckon a few days of feeling rough is better than a few weeks of feeling REALLY rough.

dizzydizzydizzy · 18/10/2024 23:00

I had both jabs in the last couple of weeks and and no reaction whatsoever.

Righteouspuppy · 18/10/2024 23:01

Two people I know (one a friend, one a colleague) died from the flu in their 20s. Both healthy. It’s a killer

nocoolnamesleft · 18/10/2024 23:02

I had both of mine this week. (Got them at work, but also entitled on health grounds). Flu arm hurt quite a bit the first night. Otherwise fine. Good to protect oneself as much as possible.

2024cando1 · 18/10/2024 23:06

I had both together a week or so ago. Both in the same arm, the arm was sore for 2-3 days but no other symptoms at all.

yarnbarn · 18/10/2024 23:11

I had mine together, in the same arm and had no side effects. The arm was tender to the touch for about 24 hours.

TentEntWenTyfOur · 18/10/2024 23:17

You can have them separately on different days or together, it is entirely up to you. I had both on Tuesday, one in each arm, and I have been absolutely fine. Felt a bit lacklustre on Wednesday morning, and one arm still feels slightly sore but that's it.

TentEntWenTyfOur · 18/10/2024 23:17

loulouljh · 18/10/2024 22:16

Do you really need these jabs??

She's asthmatic. Yes she does.

Jumpingthruhoops · 18/10/2024 23:19

Tekphobebruvva · 18/10/2024 22:20

Good question. But you’ll get jumped on for saying it no doubt.

Show quote history

This! 👏👏

saraclara · 18/10/2024 23:49

I've had both together for the last two or three years, and had no issues beyond a slightly sore arm.

Your reaction to the flu one is entirely unusual and irregular. Why have you not spoken to your doctor about it?

flyingfar · 18/10/2024 23:53

I had mine a few days apart without any symptoms apart from a mildly sore arm.

Pepperama · 19/10/2024 00:05

I’d opt to have them given your asthma and being alone with a kid, unless you’ve recently (past 6 months) had Covid. It reduces chances of getting the latest variant of Covid, reduces average severity and duration if you do get it, and what got me is most important, it reduces chances of long term adverse consequences like Long Covid.
You can absolutely ask to have them on different days. Unfortunately you won’t pass on any protection to Baby, it’s not that kind of vaccination.