Are you going to get a private flu jab this year?

[Jules585]

If you’re not usually eligible for free NHS flu jabs, are you considering paying for one?

I never have before but I think I will this year...

(I know Covid isn’t Flu but it’s one less thing to worry about??)

[thewalrus]

Family of 5 - 4 of us are eligible through work, asthma, or school age group. We have been saying for years we should just pay for one for DD1, who isn't eligible, but never have as it's hard even in a normal year to track down a vaccine for a child. She's also one of those people whose health is very robust and never gets ill. She got flu last year and I felt like a right bloody idiot for not trying harder.
She had the jab at local Superdrug earlier this week. Felt a bit grotty with it for 24 hours, but I am glad it's done. I hesitated over it because so many people seem to be having problems accessing one this year and she's obviously very low risk. But ultimately it just seems to be down to local availability. My sister is happy to pay for a vaccination, but can't find any anywhere near her (SE England).

[Greyshaggyrug]

I’m eligible for a free one but won’t be having it.

[XylophoneXavier]

Yes. I work in a school and we've been offered a voucher to pay for it.

It's part of an academy chain and the reasoning is that it's cheaper in the long run to buy vouchers than it is to have staff off ill with the flu.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

I booked us into Asda for early next month. £8 and she didn’t say they’d had any issues with supply. We’ve both had it on the NHS for various health or pregnancy related reasons the last few years but don’t qualify this year so going private.

[Hailingfrequenciesopen]

I pay for mine every year. I have a small dramatic episode each time as I have a phobia of needles but I am very brave and do it

I have a sore arm from last Friday a little but no bad reaction. It saves me from getting so much bugs through the year compared to when I didn't used to get it. That's my personal experience.


I have had one bad reaction in over a decade, two years ago where I had a fever for about 2 days, even my hair was sore I swear.

The nice ASDA pharmacist told me they are doing them every 15 mins at the moment and it's really busy. When I was there the person before me was a no show so it's worth ringing round or trying to pop by if you are already out shopping for a cancellation.

[SuzieCarmichael]

Thanks for the tip re local pharmacies @loriat - maybe I will start stalking our independent pharmacist ...

If so many people are getting the vaccine then I guess we can only hope that those of us who can’t get hold of one are protected by its spread being limited by others - combined with Covid-related social distancing measures and so on.

It’s really interesting that so many more people who don’t usually have it have decided to get it this year. I wonder why. (I usually get it). Whether it’s because people don’t want to risk getting it at the same time as Covid or whether Covid has just made people more aware that the vaccine is available and they are generally advised to have it.

[MiddleAgedLurker]

I've had a letter from NHS England to say I'm eligible (about to be 56) but it's impossible to get one around here (Oxfordshire). Hopefully there'll be some new stocks of the jab soon, but as @SuzieCarmichael says with all the social distancing and takeup by lots of people already, there'll be less likelihood of getting it this year

[Orcus]

I always do and this year is no different.