Flu Jab Query

[Ankleblisters]

Would you get the flu jab in these circumstances? I'll try to keep it brief.

I'm registered with my GP as an unpaid carer because I looked after my mother full time for the last decade of her life and moved back home to do so. I was therefore entitled to an earlier COVID jab than the rest of my age group in order to protect her. I've also been getting the flu jab every autumn for the same reason.

She passed away in May. I have stayed living with my bereaved father because I don't want him to be alone (and I don't want to be alone either, and we get on really well). He is 70, fit and active and healthy - ish. He has prostate cancer, high blood pressure and a rare thyroid disorder.

I'm still registered as an unpaid carer because it hasn't occurred to me to de-register. I've just been invited back to get this year's flu jab. My father (who IS getting the jab) says 'It's worth building up your own immunity', I replied 'Flu can kill you'.

I'm not caring for him the way I was for her, but I do care about him and his health and would hate to put him at risk, or not be here for him. If it's worth mentioning, I also work with children (some of whom are quite vulnerable health-wise)

Just curious what you would do.

YABU - don't get it, you are not entitled any more! You fraud.
YANBU - get the jab, might as well keep everyone safe

I would get it given your father's health.

Get the vaccine.

I presume you are debating because it's free.

If you think it's wrong them just pay for one at the pharmacy.

its only £12 at the pharmacy right? Get it free or pay for it, either way I would do it.

I would get it given your father's age and the fact that you live with him. I think people take the 'flu jab far too lightly. I remember when I worked in one of the big teaching hospitals in London and we had a meeting about 'flu jab season and one of the consultants present (you know the bowtie ones) scoffed and said: "It's such a load of fuss over a little viral illness." And the matron from the ICU said: "The first person to die in this hospital from 'flu last year was 30 and had no underlying health conditions... I doubt her family feel it is a little viral illness." At least he had the decency to turn a shade of puce...

Deregister as unpaid carer. Pay for flu jab at chemist.

Get it.

I give flu vaccs. Just get it. The surgery will get a payment for it, and the amount of vaccines disposed of at the end of March that we can’t get a refund on is criminal.

Get it for everyone's sake. Stay registered as as an unpaid carer, it's not a big deal

Definitely get it.

A few of my friends in Australia got flu this winter and were really poorly. There seemed to have been a really nasty one going around. I think our jabs are based on what strains have been going around in Australia etc in their winter.

Get it. Your df is vulnerable.

Thank you all so much for the very clear and helpful advice. I'll sign up and get it.

Just because you're not doing the same level of - presumably intimate - care for your father as you were for your mother doesn't mean that you're not still a carer for him. He has cancer plus some other medical issues. Even if he's still relatively spry, you're still caring for an elderly family member.

My father (who IS getting the jab) says 'It's worth building up your own immunity', I replied 'Flu can kill you'.

If he is saying you shouldn't get the vaccine (I'm not entirely clear so sorry if I have misunderstood!), how exactly does he think vaccines work? That's exactly what you would be doing!

One of the criteria for eligibility for a free NHS flu jab is that you “live with someone who has a weakened immune system”. Given that your father has cancer, do you consider that you fit this description? If so, you could have the flu jab with a clear conscience

Or, as PPs have said, have it done in a chemist and pay for it yourself. Either way, have the jab.