To be frustrated by the reactions to the current news stories around the current flu?

[TooHotWaterBottle]

I took charge of my own health and got the flu jab back in October. I get a voucher through work but would have paid it myself anyway.

It’s frustrating to see the panic now people are seeing it in the news given flu is a risK EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.

“I’m vulnerable, I don’t normally have the flu jab but it is bad this year - where can I find somewhere with the jab in stock?” - no-one knows how bad the flu is going to be each year, so you’re taking a risk if you don’t have it when you’re offered.

”why haven’t the government provided more stocks of the vaccine” - probably from the same people slating the covid vaccine

“the flu is so bad this year, I don’t know how ill
manage if I get it as I’m a single parent” - see above. Get yourself vaccinated early if you’re a carer of any sort.

All the laughing emojis on any SM posts about masks being worn in hospitals - why the fuck wouldn’t you want to take reasonable precautions to avoid getting/transmitting the flu/covid in an environment where people are clinically vulnerable? It is a sorry state of the world.

The panic for vaccines (probably from those slating the covid vaccine) - the jab takes TWO WEEKS to take effect fully, meaning it’s not going to be of much help to you right now (though it will be of course for Christmas, so people should still get it if they can)

AIBU to think people should take more proactive and preventative responsibility for their own health for a KNOWN ANNUAL RISK and can’t really moan if they’ve not bothered until the last minute?

I didn't get round to it until a couple of days ago. I take it you've never left something a bit late op?

We are in our 60s and paid for a flu jab, however we struggled to find anywhere with supplies and the pharmacist said they didn't have any warning of when they'd turn up until the appointments popped up! More a case of trying to mitigate symptoms, rather like any prevention is better than cure. Having had flu very badly in my 30s (so no, not just an issue for the elderly), covid before the lock down and that wasn't much fun either, actually verging on the frightening, it is something that I feel is worth the £20 cost. I suppose it is about priorities.

But it’s not that, is it. This is people who didn’t see it as important in the first place

I'm rather tired of seeing claims on Facebook that it's just a cold and that people are getting flu because they've been vaccinated. Not to mention the people who are claiming that it is all made up and it doesn't exist at all.

Yes, it's less effective this year but still has an effect - you're less likely to get flu, less likely to get it badly, less likely to be hospitalised if you do. I'm just getting over my first bout of flu in over two decades despite having the vaccine. I think it would have been so much worse without it 🤷🏼

I don’t think there are many anti covid jab people desperately trying to get the flu jab. Everything I have seen from those kinds of groups are blaming the rise in flu on the flu jab.

Not my opinion I should add but I find your post strange.

I think that part of the thinking behind all the "massive flu crisis this year" stories is to encourage people to get the vaccine if they haven't already. So the reaction that OP is complaining about is actually the aim of the game, no matter how annoying OP may find it.

Presumably it's statistically better if people get the jab now, rather than not getting it at all?

It will be too late for some, but not for others. The protection level given by the jab may not be great this year, but probably better than nothing. As a numbers game, across the whole country, it makes sense if people start booking in for jabs now if they can.

I usually get the flu vaccine but, of all vaccines, I can understand why its the one people tend to skip.

On an individual level, it's probably the least effective vaccine and, for most people, its not a very serious illness. I'll happily have it for the potential personal benefit, but it does skew more towards being a societal good.

I’m in favour of all vaccines, flu jab included, but this year’s severe strain is not covered by this year’s vaccine, so those fearful of catching it for whatever reason are within their rights to fear catching it.

My husband was jabbed and has still caught it. He’s on day 6 and it’s awful. I wasn’t jabbed and haven’t caught it (yet), would have by now if catching it from him.

The worst thing is only 40% of healthcare workers have bothered getting it. And then they moan because so many staff are off. Well.......