Can’t get Flu Jab From Pharmacy

[Cherryblossom99]

Hi all, amid reports of a rise in severe flu cases I have been looking to try and get a flu jab, however I cannot seem to find any pharmacies online offering them.
I do have an underlying medical condition, but I don’t think it is covered under the eligibility criteria. I’m now panicking that I’m going to get flu. Is anyone else having difficulties trying to get a jab?

I don't know I just went on to check and it came up. Let me try again and see what happens

I get a voucher, but am expected to go in the evening or weekend, to avoid leaving work. I haven’t been able to find any pharmacy with availability. And I work in a medical position and care for my elderly father at weekend!

Sorry it's Tuesday 9th. I didn't read it right. Will include screenshot

Also in NI.
I think a lot of the community pharmacies here will allow NHS patients but not paying customers and so i got vaccinated in Boots at the end of September.

I've had the flu since Monday though, so in my experience it has provided little/no protection against the current strain.

This is down to you, I’m afraid. I got my jab back in September - didn’t wait for the surgery to offer it to me, but paid for it myself.

If you have an underlying medical condition, I’d have thought you’d have got the jab at the start of the season?

boots are not offering anyone under 65 flu vaccines now, as their stocks are low, but I can still book one at my local Tesco, so I suggest you check your local supermarkets.

How do you know it was flu?

Morrisons pharmacies do them. You don't need to book, just turn up.

Our local independent / small chain pharmacies don’t have online booking. You either need to call in or ring.

I just walk in and ask. 9/10 I get it straight away. Once I was asked my age and then told they only had them for over 60s. My bottom lip practically wobbled.

I'd visit a few in person.

As an aside, have they got it right this year? I heard they had missed the mark and picked the wrong flu strains. I know it's not exact but it gives me the heebies a bit.

You are getting it far too late. Best thing is look online and book online. May have to travel for a while to get one.

I had a Boots voucher from my employer which unfortunately they sent through late (because they left me off the list). By thr time I got it in mid-November there were no appointments at any store even vaguely local to me on any date.

Check eligibility - I noticed a pop up in the local hospital reception area last week. You may find more options if you are eligible.

If not i booked mine at a local pharmacy. I paid and my husband had a free one with a work.voucher. We always book early as it does get trickier to find slots when the season kicks in. Good luck!

I booked mine with boots online

DS1 got one in ASDA yesterday having booked it on Friday night. Seemed to be plenty of availability in Tesco pharmacy and ASDA in DS2s area in the East Midlands. Both private as not eligible for NHS.

Thanks all, again I know it’s on me leaving it so late to try and get one. Just frustrating reading things from the NI executive etc saying it’s not too late to get vaccinated then not being able to find anywhere doing them. I will ensure I get it earlier next year and keep looking around. Will pop into a few local chemists tomorrow

McKeever chemists have some availability in Moy but I appreciate that's a bit of a trek from Lisburn.

You have left it very late. They have probably all run out. I know we have.

Just want to reiterate to try a private GP and see if they can help. The world and his dog will be trying to book at pharmacies and their stock will be low now.

Call some private GPs tomorrow. You'll probably pay more, but if you want it that badly it could be worth a look.

mckeevers chemists have got some but most branches are 45 mins ish away and one has some tomorrow. https://mckeeversdirect.com/flu-vaccination

Husband and I tried booking some last week. Pharmacies, boots and tesco all had no availability. Asda had every slot free and managed to get them on Friday. Try every supermarket