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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fed up of hearing about the flu

556 replies

SpoonBaloon · 11/12/2025 16:46

I know I’m being unreasonable but am I the only one who’s getting wound up by the constant coverage of the flu on every national news outlet?

It is December. Of course the flu is going around! Every winter we hear about the NHS being overwhelmed.

I can accept minor coverage but it’s been the main story for days on end and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop! And I know the flu kills and people need to be aware to take precautions but surely people don’t need it to be pointed out to them that they have an increased chance of catching the cold or flu in the run up to Christmas?

I was deathly ill with it last year but luckily have managed to avoid it up to now.

OP posts:
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8
WestwardHo1 · 13/12/2025 09:44

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/12/2025 07:26

I’ve been trying to get a jab for about a month now, tried multiple pharmacies, no luck. Going further south to visit family this weekend and a Morrisons there tell me it’s hopeful of a new batch this weekend. They can’t guarantee an appointment until it’s allocation arrives though because I don’t qualify for NHS jab yet.

In a lot of cases I don’t think it’s not being bothered but insufficient supply.

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My exH was given on this morning at the surgery for free as part of his over 50s health check. He's in perfect health too. I've been scratching around trying to find a private jab. There weren't but suddenly yesterday evening loads more appointments became available at Tesco's

Babycatsmummy · 13/12/2025 10:02

I work in A&E and it’s pretty newsworthy to me. It’s absolutely heartbreaking seeing those with underlying health conditions especially who can’t even speak they are that SOB. Seeing the unwell children is even worse. I’m pregnant and made sure I had my flu jab.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 13/12/2025 10:19

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/12/2025 07:26

I’ve been trying to get a jab for about a month now, tried multiple pharmacies, no luck. Going further south to visit family this weekend and a Morrisons there tell me it’s hopeful of a new batch this weekend. They can’t guarantee an appointment until it’s allocation arrives though because I don’t qualify for NHS jab yet.

In a lot of cases I don’t think it’s not being bothered but insufficient supply.

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Yes, I have realised this since posting as I've been trying to book a slot for dd, who is recently home from uni. Nothing till Jan/Feb.

There was loads of availability back in October when I had mine, though, so it doesn't explain why so few of my colleagues bothered to take up the vouchers. I suspect it's the media focus driving the demand now.

ifitsallthesametoyouilltakethesoup · 13/12/2025 11:36

gamerchick · 13/12/2025 09:11

It's airborne isn't it?. You'll have to cover your eyes as well.

Be a canny Kodak moment that.

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You wouldn't have to. I think glasses might technically increase your protection slightly, but the mask will make the biggest difference by far, because when you breathe you're actively pulling air into your lungs. That's where nearly all the risk is, far more than your eyes.

EleanorReally · 13/12/2025 13:46

it has come weeks earlier than usual, they have no idea how long it will last
i get it - i hate the scaremongering but it is a concern

MummyWillow1 · 13/12/2025 19:00

If everyone ’knew’ then it wouldn’t spread so fast as people would be vaccinated and be wearing masks.

OlPennyRadford · 13/12/2025 19:01

YANBU. It's December. People seem to have short memories (i.e. can't remember winter the previous year)

AnonoMisss · 13/12/2025 19:04

Mulledjuice · 11/12/2025 16:48

If you'd paid attention to the content of the stories you might have understood that it has hit far earlier in the winter than normal, that there is no sign of the peak, and hospitals are already overwhelmed. There is a vaccine available (free if eligible, £20 if not).

Is that not newsworthy?

It's also newsworthy that Cleveland Clinic did a study and compared vaccinated staff with unvaccinated staff during flu season and that the flu vaccinated staff had a higher incidence of flu.

gamerchick · 13/12/2025 19:06

ifitsallthesametoyouilltakethesoup · 13/12/2025 11:36

You wouldn't have to. I think glasses might technically increase your protection slightly, but the mask will make the biggest difference by far, because when you breathe you're actively pulling air into your lungs. That's where nearly all the risk is, far more than your eyes.

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I was thinking more swimming goggles.

AnonoMisss · 13/12/2025 19:08

Lilifer · 11/12/2025 17:04

Yep sick of it tbh. Media like a broken record. Most people including kids seem to get the flu vaccine, it doesn’t seem to work very well does it? 🤷‍♀️

No! So many people I see saying every time they take it they get flu! Recent study by Cleveland Clinic showed higher incidence of flu in flue vaccinated than unvaccinated.

TheRedBear · 13/12/2025 19:09

I'm glad there's all the coverage as it pushed me to get a private vaccination yesterday at a Boots walk-in, and it's the first time I'm overjoyed to be over 50 as it was limited to us.

Yes I had to pay, but I'm very well aware that one of my colleagues has an underlying health condition and has just had a few days off as a result of catching something and it flaring up his condition.

It drives it home when I know his kids and he says he's got some 'slight kidney failure.' I don't want to be the reason someone's kids lose their dad.

pinkelephant22 · 13/12/2025 19:29

I think you are being very fucking unreasonable
people who don’t think this strain is serious such as yourself clearly need further educated. That’s why they’re throwing it in your face every 5 mins.

My poor 3 year old has had it for ten days and had to be hospitalised TWICE for fluids. Hallucinating, calpol nurofen not responding - 2 x febrile seizures - screaming as gone to the ear, can’t eat, lost weight, had to put her back in pull ups for urinating herself - a size down as she has lost so much weight - because people don’t think it’s serious and send their sick kids into pre school or don’t care about the vulnerable they pass it on to. It’s not about you, it’s about the ones you give it to

Puzzledandpissedoff · 13/12/2025 19:31

AreYouVeryAnti · 13/12/2025 07:45

You many be interested in this article "written by two old geezers who have serious problems reconciling the screaming headlines with the Government surveillance data"... https://dailysceptic.org/2025/12/12/the-screaming-super-flu-headlines-vs-the-data/

In summary, YANBU.

That was an interesting link, AreYouVeryAnti - not so much the editorial, but NHS England's own figures on bed occupancy which certainly don't support the current narrative

IggysPop · 13/12/2025 19:31

AnonoMisss · 13/12/2025 19:08

No! So many people I see saying every time they take it they get flu! Recent study by Cleveland Clinic showed higher incidence of flu in flue vaccinated than unvaccinated.

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That would be the limited and highly controversial study by Cleveland clinic. An organisation that is also spending a lot of money developing a ‘universal’ flu vaccine. What a strange coincidence.

But don’t let social media science stop you.

StarsTwinklingPomanders · 13/12/2025 19:33

@Babycatsmummy What's sob ??

PodMom · 13/12/2025 19:35

StarsTwinklingPomanders · 13/12/2025 19:33

@Babycatsmummy What's sob ??

Shortness of breath?

Xmasdemon · 13/12/2025 19:47

I had a flu like illness last month, and then fell ill again 2 weeks later and just shaking it off now. I really hope that's me done for the season, although I haven't had covid yet. I think it is looking pretty bad to be honest, as I'm aware flu can be dangerous and if everyone's getting it due to low immunity...

Lin42 · 13/12/2025 19:59

I've been vaccinated but have just spent 6 nights in hospital with flu and COVID. It's no joke and needs to be taken seriously

Americano75 · 13/12/2025 20:02

pinkelephant22 · 13/12/2025 19:29

I think you are being very fucking unreasonable
people who don’t think this strain is serious such as yourself clearly need further educated. That’s why they’re throwing it in your face every 5 mins.

My poor 3 year old has had it for ten days and had to be hospitalised TWICE for fluids. Hallucinating, calpol nurofen not responding - 2 x febrile seizures - screaming as gone to the ear, can’t eat, lost weight, had to put her back in pull ups for urinating herself - a size down as she has lost so much weight - because people don’t think it’s serious and send their sick kids into pre school or don’t care about the vulnerable they pass it on to. It’s not about you, it’s about the ones you give it to

Oh God love her, that sounds horrendous. Is she on the mend? 🙏

JTHOM · 13/12/2025 20:09

We have to use our public services wisely, if the health service is overwhelmed, many will remain untreated and the vulnerable might die. Herd control is a priority.

StarsTwinklingPomanders · 13/12/2025 20:22

@pinkelephant22 how awful poor you and her ,flowers.

I think we should have a protocol that activates at times like this

pinkelephant22 · 13/12/2025 20:39

Americano75 · 13/12/2025 20:02

Oh God love her, that sounds horrendous. Is she on the mend? 🙏

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I would like to hope so but she keeps taking sudden dips. She came home yesterday morning and got in my bed at 2:30 in the afternoon ! She slept through until 7:30 this morning (17 hours!) - apart from coughing fits until vomiting and sitting up for water - got up had a wee (thank god I’ve never been so grateful to see her urinate 😱) medicine and half a slice of toast - declined at 11:30 had her meds screamed about her ear was inconsolable - was delirious for an hour ….and then back asleep till 5:30 - got up had a wee again 1 cracker and then back to bed. I miss my little girl - half a slice of toast and 1 cracker is the most she’s eaten in a week

justasking111 · 13/12/2025 20:40

Keep an eye on her ear.

Americano75 · 13/12/2025 20:51

pinkelephant22 · 13/12/2025 20:39

I would like to hope so but she keeps taking sudden dips. She came home yesterday morning and got in my bed at 2:30 in the afternoon ! She slept through until 7:30 this morning (17 hours!) - apart from coughing fits until vomiting and sitting up for water - got up had a wee (thank god I’ve never been so grateful to see her urinate 😱) medicine and half a slice of toast - declined at 11:30 had her meds screamed about her ear was inconsolable - was delirious for an hour ….and then back asleep till 5:30 - got up had a wee again 1 cracker and then back to bed. I miss my little girl - half a slice of toast and 1 cracker is the most she’s eaten in a week

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I don't know who I feel worse for, her or you! Hope she's better as soon as possible.