To decline Covid Booster?

[8lbOfSugar]

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?

You don't have to have the covid if you don't want to, or you could ask to have it separately. Our GP run's clinics every weekend for several weeks.

I had both jabs 2 weeks ago. I had sore arms for a few days and one got hot and swollen but went down again.

I know several people who have had both and nobody has been affected like you say your friends/family were.

Exactly the sane for me. No.problems at all and I have asthma (most of the time not problematic).

Sorry to hijack, but I am wondering why I have had a text inviting me for a covid booster. I have asthma and was not eligible for the boosters previously as mine is well-controlled and the booster was only for asthmatics who have uncontrolled asthma.

Have the eligibility criteria changed recently?

(I had my flu jab at a pharmacy last week with zero side effects)

It's in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID chapter of the green book:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-the-green-book-chapter-14a

Previous boosters (certainly in the spring) were more narrowly focused. This autumn's covid booster eligibility is more in line with the flu vaccine eligibility.

@magneticpeasant I had seen the tables, and I don’t think I am eligible by that criteria - my asthma is not poorly-controlled.

Had both on the 6th October and no issues except one sore arm for a couple of days (other arm didn't ache at all). My friend always feels ill after her flu jab. I have never experienced that when having the flu jab or covid jab and just feel normal.

Probably just computer records not differentiating then when they sent automated messages.

OP obviously you can separate the doses if you are concerned , also I would discuss the adverse reaction to the flu vaccine with your GP.
And work on back up childcare / emergency help with the baby for peace of mind , my DH had an unpredictable job and we had no family in this country so I had extremely reliable helpful babysitters locally who knew my kids well and would help me
Out if I was poorly

You don't have to do either at your doctor's surgery. Just book in at a local pharmacy and do them separately if you'd prefer. I had flu jab at maternity appt then booked my Covid in a pharmacy for another day.
Google book a Covid vaccine or book a flu vaccine and it comes up.

I'm type 2 diabetic and don't have either after reacting badly to the last set of vaccines 2 years ago.

My Dad ended up with rheumatoid arthritis after getting both together as well as the shingles vaccine - they said his immune system was overstimulated. So I'm taking my chances.