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Original poster

Is having a flu jab one of the more useful things we can do?

50 replies

Twattergy · 21/10/2020 18:17

I'm not entitled to a free flu jab but considering me and DH paying for them this year because I think it might be one thing I can do to help the NHS, namely:
-Reduce risk of flu so less need for nhs help

  • If I get covid/flu symptoms ill be more likely to think it is covid not flu, so more likely to be clear on what action to take
-one less thing for me to potentially transmit to others

Thoughts?

OP posts:
1dayatatime · 21/10/2020 19:07

Yes if you are eligible / can get one.

weegiemum · 21/10/2020 19:09

I can't have one due to an underlying health condition, but dh is frontline nhs staff and also has asthma so he's had his,

PattyPan · 21/10/2020 19:43

I think so. I was in Superdrug earlier in the week for another reason and the assistant mentioned that they had flu jab appointments available for that day so I just got it done while I was in town. I’m a key worker (not NHS) and usually get it at work and figured I should minimise the chances of being off sick since we’re expecting a busy winter.

StCharlotte · 21/10/2020 19:48

I'm always invited (diabetic) Some years I do, sometimes I don't. Received invitation text yesterday. Booked today for Monday.

Taking no chances this year.

RunBackwards · 21/10/2020 19:52

All the pharmacies here seem to be refusing paid bookings on the basis that the vaccine is hard to come by and is being reserved for those who need it most, so on that basis, having the vaccination if you're not in one of the designated categories, must be quite selfish?

Stellaris22 · 21/10/2020 19:57

Yes, had it for over 3 years now because of asthma. Where I work offers to pay for it as well. I always book early in case stocks run low so already had it this year, form signed for DD to have it at school. Absolutely worth having.

lunar1 · 21/10/2020 20:00

It's £8 in Asda, I'm in the NW and lots of friends and family have also booked at short notice with no problem.

Reducing flu as much as we can could really help the NHS this year.

OverTheRainbow88 · 21/10/2020 20:01

@RunBackwards

Those people usually get it from their GP surgery

RunBackwards · 21/10/2020 20:07

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@RunBackwards

Those people usually get it from their GP surgery[/quote]
I don't think they do. All the pharmacies offer "free" vaccinations. I've been trying to get someone to come and do them for our staff and they're all saying they can't spare the vaccine.

Cornettoninja · 21/10/2020 20:25

There are still private appointments in our area. I get mine through work so DP is booked in.

I think there is a more enthusiastic uptake this year; it’s worth remembering that vaccines benefit us all so if you’re struggling to get one it (hopefully) means you’re in an area that’s had a good uptake so you’ll benefit from that in a round about way.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 21/10/2020 20:50

None left anywhere round me. Some friends have got one by sheer persistence but I sort of felt that if they are running out I shouldn't use one up as I am a low risk demographic

Redred2429 · 21/10/2020 20:54

I am entitled to one from my gp already got it this year as I'm vunreable don't want to be a strain on the NHS

doireallyneedaname · 21/10/2020 21:00

Had ours today. Wish I could get my 6 month old it too.

FippertyGibbett · 21/10/2020 21:01

Yes.

FippertyGibbett · 21/10/2020 21:05

Yes, to reduce the load on the NHS.
They do not want you to have the double whammy of flu and Covid.

tenlittlecygnets · 21/10/2020 21:06

Yes. We had ours at Tesco two weeks ago.

kursaalflyer · 21/10/2020 21:49

Yes I'm having one for the first time. I phoned my surgery and as I'm only 64 I'm not eligible but they suggested local pharmacies (I didn't even know this was an option). Boots, Lloyds and Superdrug all had appointments available. One of them was a walk-up but I can't remember which one. I booked on-line for next week. I must be lucky where I am. I think Lloyd's only showed the on-line calendar for the week ahead so worth checking every few days.

RubyTrees · 21/10/2020 22:29

I received a text from my GP last week stating that my medical history indicates that I'm in the "at risk patient group" and that I should book a time slot on 17th Nov for a flu vaccine.

I've never had the flu vaccine before and don't know why I'm "at risk" except for being 58 and BAME. The receptionist could only say that I'm in the first group to be given the vaccine ahead of the over 65s.

Now I'm more concerned about what's in my medical history that I'm unaware of! I'll have to check with my GP at some point but for now I'm happy I have the opportunity to get the vaccine.

thaegumathteth · 21/10/2020 23:58

Yes we get it every year anyways since ds was seriously ill with complications as a toddler. Dd is the only one who hasn't had hers yet as she gets hers at school (primary) and they've not done it yet

QueenStromba · 22/10/2020 07:27

For anyone who hasn't managed to get a vaccine and is worried. If we follow the pattern of the southern hemisphere we won't get a flu season at all this year. Influenza is much less contagious than covid and the covid measures (hands, face, space) are based on what we know about influenza spread - they're not as effective as we'd like against covid but they've dropped flu transmission to almost zero.
This is great news as it means that we don't need to be as afraid about bird flu (which is up to 200 times more deadly than covid) making the leap to human to human transmission.

RaspberryCoulis · 22/10/2020 08:20

DH and I had ours yesterday at Lloyds pharmacy. DH had a voucher from work, I paid for mine. We also have an appointment for 17 year old DS next week.

OpheliasCrayon · 22/10/2020 08:29

To clear it up - if you are eligible for a free one at your GP you can have one for free at a pharmacy.

I'm eligible every year, tried to book at my GP but they had a wait (not too long but I teach so I wanted it asap). Pharmacy had them available that week so I booked and went there. They have a form to fill out if you're eligible for free ones. So I've done that for a few years actually - I just go with whichever has one first. GP or pharmacy. My DH is eligible for a free one because of me being immunosuppressed so he also can fill in the same form at a pharmacy and get one for free.

My children are both prioritised for the childrens clinics again because of me, but children have to have the nasal one and that's always at the GP or at school.

frozendaisy · 22/10/2020 08:52

If you can get one then yes it might help.

eaglejulesk · 22/10/2020 09:01

For anyone who hasn't managed to get a vaccine and is worried. If we follow the pattern of the southern hemisphere we won't get a flu season at all this year. Influenza is much less contagious than covid and the covid measures (hands, face, space) are based on what we know about influenza spread - they're not as effective as we'd like against covid but they've dropped flu transmission to almost zero.

This is very true, but there was also a much larger number of people vaccinated this winter as well.

msbevvy · 22/10/2020 09:02

It would have been useful if all those that are extremely vulnerable and have a free jab every year were able to get theirs before the supermarkets started selling them to anyone willing to pay.
Our GPs and local pharmacies are still awaiting supplies of the under 65's vaccine. They have been expecting deliveries for weeks.

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