How can I get flu jab for my 3 year old?

[Sallyliu]

My GP has refused a flu jab for my 3 year old, because he is not in the risk group. I got mine at Boots, but they don't give them to under 16 year olds. Does anyone know how I can get my 3 year old a flu jab (in London or Herts)? Is private clinic the only way?

Also I read somewhere that Manor Hospital in Oxford provides vaccinations - may be try them as well?

By the way, if I had listened to professionals (e.g. GPs) dd would now have been dead ...

dikker- I'm so pleased your dd is ok. What did you do which went against the doctors advice? I'm a very worried mummy to a 1 year old dd and am trying to collect as much information as possible as to what to do if she does contract flu.

DD had very high fever over a long period (close to 41 degrees), listless, not eating well, vomitting and diarrhoea. Various GPs (we saw numerous over two week period) said not to worry just a virus, but not flu ... Happened again in the morning when we saw GP again, same story, I said that I was really worried because to me it seems she was worsening all the time. GP smiled and said 'don't worry, to me she looks much better than two days ago'. He listened to chest (she coughed a lot) and said chest was absolutely clear. I should calm down and give her rest and all would be fine. She was unwell all day. In the evening she started coughing even more and couldn't talk anymore because of coughing. I called OOH, they said is probably okay, good that she coughs because she will get junk out of chest (I told them GP said chest was clear), then OOH GP called back and said give some childrens cough medicine because probably tickly cough. I straight away phoned 999 because I saw there was something terribly wrong. 20 minutes later she was unconscious, paramedic arrived gave oxygen, ambulance came - on oxygen radioed ahead to hospital, blue lights, pandemonium when we arrived. However, she has survived, just. Hospital said NEVER NEVER to leave it this long ever again. They said next time when GP doesn't take it serious go straight to hospital. Her ward was full with similar cases, parents with similar stories. Truly awful start of the year, but hospital was fantastic.

also, hospital did X-ray, she had secondary infection (pneumonia) following swine flu ... (GP has since phoned to ask how she was doing, but not apologised though ...) and clearly her chest cannot have been clear when he checked it - X ray showed lots of patches on lungs

For those who are still looking for flu jabs, you may want to look at the swine flu threads as there are many suggestions where you can get them.

Hi, I called a private paediatrician related to Portland hospital but he told me they run out of vaccine now :(

My son had 4 courses of antibiotics in only 3 months time and each time after 2-3 days of finishing one course , he is again ill with runny nose, bronchitis or ear infection.

We are so worried his immune system being compromised and for him to be prone to catch a nasty flu.

Would you please tell me the name and the address of the travel clinic?

Many thanks

Dear dikkertjedap, happy to hear that your DD is fine now.

According to this thread Medi Centre in Victoria Station (by the way, they are everywhere in London, usually big stations, also Paddington etc.), there are also other threads with suggestions where to go in 'swine flu' heading rather than 'children's health'. Good luck.

dikkertjedap- glad to hear she's ok. What a nightmare. Hmm-so what did the doctors at the hospital say- when id the right time to go to A&E?
I haven't asked the paediatrician this year, but last winter she was against giving dcs the vaccine. We're in France where I think there are no shortages...hmm, don't know. Both dcs are never ill (DS hasn't had so much as a sniffle for the last 5 years, DD (23mo)has had one cold so far) , so I suspect strong immune systems, but it seems immune system being strong is not necessary good thing with sf- it turning on itself. Or is it?

Samwest and CoucouMaman, have sent you the infor, please check your PM.

Vickiejones, your PM doesn't work.

Does anyone know . . . if you have the swine fle jab (not the regular yearly flu jab) once then do you have to have it again the following year? I suppose if it mutates but haven't heard that swine flue has yet. Anyone know? Reason I ask is because my dcs had the jab last spring but dr was very vague when I asked this question.

Nobody knows for sure for how long the swine flu jabs protects, but the general assumption is for one year (shorter for people with suppressed immunity or very young and very old). Same applies to normal flu, hence need for annual boosters even if flu does not change/mutate.

please provide details how to get private vaccination for my 6 year old for swine flu .its urgent