Anyone else considering a paid for flu vaccine this year?

[PurpleCalm]

I don't usually have the flu vaccine as i'm "young and healthy" but I am considering it this year. I have SEN children who rely on me for pretty much everything.

Any opinions welcome!

If you have SEN children who rely on you then you should be entitled to a free flu jab on the NHS as a carer.

Yes I pay for mine yearly at boots, I work with SEN kids and just think social distancing at work will never happen and as I usually have a cold from September to March I'm going to do everything I can to minimise having to have a covid test each time I have a cough as that would be every couple of weeks 😂

The trouble with those flu vaccines is they're only an educated guess as they only cover the strain considered most likely to be prevalent in that year. But you might not get that strain. It's not like it will just blanket cover you for 'flu' in general. But that said I would probably have one if I was high risk.

I thought there was talk of the government making them free this year. We usually pay.

they're expanding it to over 50s, not everyone.

I wasn't sure if I could get a NHS one - I don't mind paying anyway. Probably more suited to me to pop to a Boots at a convenient time.

I've had flu once - around 5 years ago and it floored me for over a week. Never had leg pains like it.

I would. I usually do. I don't know if I get it free this year or not - I turn 50 but not until early in the new year, and the vaccines are usually in the autumn, so probably not. I will pay anyway if there are sufficient stocks for the supermarket/chemists to offer them to general public.

Have you registered at your GP surgery as a carer?

Yep. I usually get one through work, but I'm on mat leave so I'll pay for one

"If you have SEN children who rely on you then you should be entitled to a free flu jab on the NHS as a carer."

Yes, ds and both of us get ours done at the GP. Ds is outside the school age group so doesn't get his done at school

We’ve been offered vouchers for flu vaccine from Boots via work. I didn’t sign up last year but have this year.

Yes me, I always pay for one, as despite being in the supposed “at risk” category (obese) I’ve never been called for one by my dr. I’m actually starting a new job where we get a free flu vaccine but don’t know how I will access that with remote working.

I usually go to Lloyds pharmacy it isn’t expensive. You can’t get one for kids though, or at least couldn’t, and both mine are going to be in high school so not eligible through school so not sure what if anything I can do to get it for them

I've got it for 10 years now, sometimes I pay sometimes it's free in work. I got it because I was on an immune suppressant and it's recommended.
I've never had flu, but a close friend who is very stoic described it as feeling like she was going to die and being ok with that. This woman normally plays down things that I would be whinging about and I'm fairly low key myself.
I don't know if the vaccine worked or I was never exposed but it didn't do any harm either.

I think some Superdrug pharmacies do them for children

Usually pay too but want to read up more this year re the jab and any effects it has on the immune system given the virus situation.

I've paid for one since I started teaching 16 years ago. Last year the LA paid for all teachers/school staff in our area to have one. We had a pharmacist visit the school for the morning. I hope they do the same this year.

Definitely having one. Both DC are of age to get the kids' vaccines and if the flu vaccine can avoid me getting symptoms that mean I have to have another Covid swab (had one on admission to hospital as appendicitis was giving me a slight temperature...)

If you are entitled for a free jab under the NHS then this can also be done at pharmacies, no need to go to the doctor. Boots can vaccinate children over 11 but only in stores where they normally do travel vaccines and they cant do the nasal spray. All adults can be done in any Boots store.

"Yes me, I always pay for one, as despite being in the supposed “at risk” category (obese) I’ve never been called for one by my dr."

My surgery only contacts the over 65's. Everyone else has to ask. We had a few battles initially with the receptionist who tried to argue that ds wasn't eligible to have it at the doctors but since we printed out the rules and showed them to her it has been plain sailing.

Thanks everyone. I will probably go ahead then. I've registered my interest.

We get it free at work - FE college - but last year it was so late I paid for it in Boots in the October holidays. As it stands currently we will be doing remote delivery, so I don’t know if free jabs will be offered unless that changes. I will pay for it if need be, I think it was about £12 last year.

I pay for it for about 10 years. I used to get it in December but after catching it in Nov 2017, I started to get it Oct half term. I normally get it in Tesco or Sainsbury's pharmacy when doing a bit of shopping, not sure how it'll work this year. I'll probably enquire in September.

Yes I had it last year NHS. Not eligible this year so will pay the £12 as I was significantly not as affected by the awful flu that swept through school.

@Underhisi

"Yes me, I always pay for one, as despite being in the supposed “at risk” category (obese) I’ve never been called for one by my dr."

My surgery only contacts the over 65's. Everyone else has to ask. We had a few battles initially with the receptionist who tried to argue that ds wasn't eligible to have it at the doctors but since we printed out the rules and showed them to her it has been plain sailing.

That’s interesting, they always contact my husband as he has mild asthma. To be honest until Covid I didn’t even know I was meant to get one, I’ve always just thought it would be wise.

Thanks also for the info re kids - I’ll maybe try Boots or Superdrug this year. I just tend to use Lloyd’s as it’s local.