Governments will need to push the flu vaccine VERY hard before this winter

[user1477391263]

...to reduce pressure on beds, especially if it looks likely there will be another upwards curve during the winter months.

I am opposed to mandatory vaccination, but this will need to be pitched very strongly indeed.

Doesn't it only cover about half the strains though, as they try and predict those around that year? It can vary from year to year. There is also a pneumonia vaccine

Yes. They need to posit it as one's civil duty...

We might find that more people choose to have it because they are worried about getting flu plus a new variant covid.

Yes there does need to be a vaccine ASAP but it’s not just a case of the government pushing it through. There needs to be controlled safety trials - none of us would want an untested vaccine going out - and those safety checks, even with everyone pushing forward around the world, will take time.

I wonder if flu rates will be lower anyway if we’re still consciously distancing and following stricter hygiene.

I think there may be an increase in uptake. I meant to get it but spent a while trying to find out if I was eligible for a free one as money was very tight in those few months (DH was told he could have one as my official carer, so he did, but the conditions I have weren’t on the list) and then stupidly didn’t get round to it. I feel really silly about that now and next season I’ll put the money aside and have one as soon as they’re available.

I’ve always been a bit nervous about it as some people with the same conditions as me have said they had a flare up after it but TBH I had it when pregnant a few years ago and I was fine. I am happy to take the risk now, I know it doesn’t protect from every possible option but whatever virus I had the last couple of weeks was vile and caused a flare up anyway so any chance I can have to reduce the possibility I should take. I feel really stupid for procrastinating this year.

I wondered the same cornetto surely there must be less flu, noro, even stuff like glandular fever at the moment

Perhaps they need to make a mandatory appointment slot for everyone, and require people to turn up. And, having turned up, you could be given the option of simply signing a form saying "I refuse vaccination and accept that this could cause risk to myself and others blah blah," and then go home without receiving it, if you really don't want the vaccine.

Hard-core anti-vaccination people would still refuse the vaccine (as is their right). But the majority of the people who do not get the flu vaccine, are not refusing due to some kind of firmly-held principle; rather, in most cases they are not getting it because, "I forgot," "I did not get round to it," "my workplace won't give me a morning off," "it's not that important," "I don't think I'll get sick," "they say the flu shot is not all that effective " etc.

Making everyone turn up (even if they did have the option of turning down the vaccine if they really were opposed to vaccination) would probably be enough to get 90% of people vaccinated.

I wonder if flu rates will be lower anyway if we’re still consciously distancing and following stricter hygiene. Hong Kong, Japan and several other countries did see big reductions in flu due to social distancing (not full lockdown) this spring.

What confuses me though is that apparently a majority of the Covid tests in hospitals - so people who are turning up with severe breathing difficulties - are apparently coming back negative. I don’t really understand - are these people who have flu or pneumonia from other causes and would have been sick regardless at this time of year?

And what does that mean for the idea of vast swathes of the public being infected but only getting mild symptoms, if any?

Also I did see something about having the actual flu vaccine being a risk factor in Covid severity but I’m not sure if that was based on a misunderstanding of the “if you’re on the flu vaccine list you need to self isolate” idea. Or maybe if there was some kind of correlation surely that could be because more of those having the flu vaccine had underlying conditions anyway

I find all the news and theories so confusing.

And yes I agree OP that a lot of the lack of uptake is down to procrastination, not thinking they’re at risk etc - certainly was for me and I really regret that

I hope that most people will have the flu vaccination as my understanding is that this provides herd immunity so that those who don't have it still get some protection.
I am allergic to something in the vaccine so cannot have it. I would definitely have it if I could.

Am in Aus... obviously heading into our winter flu season. Flu vax has been made avalible already... about 4-6 weeks earlier than usual. In our state we are usually advised to get it late April so it's most effective at our Aug/Sept peak. They have thrown that advice out and are already urging people to get it. I am anticipating my state to roll out a public campaign ( seems Like it might be done in schools this year - apparently announcement is imminent). Larger workplaces seem to already have vax procedures in place (DH workplace offers it free every year) but perhaps all sized employers will be offered programs.
I'll be getting mine done mid to late April ( as usual) as I'm not in a vulnerable category therefore can wait.
But yes, government will push flu vax very hard this year as a preventive measure and I think most Aus (aside from standard anti vaxers 😬) will take heed.