Flu - when to book?

CrunchyCarrot · 20/07/2021 16:04

I did see some talk about Covid and flu being either combined or given at the same time. Which is an about face from last year when I think it was a month between shots. So seems to be a shifting sands situation.

CrunchyCarrot · 20/07/2021 16:08

Here's an article about it in the Guardian, from June:

www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jun/22/experts-study-viability-of-giving-flu-and-covid-jabs-at-same-time

ColettesEarrings · 20/07/2021 16:11

When did you have your second covid jab, and how old are you? Boosters will probably be rolled out in age order again from late Sept, so I'd be inclined to book a flu jab for early/mid Sept?

leafyygreens · 20/07/2021 16:17

Research is currently ongoing to inform guidelines on this.

In the initial roll out a precautionary approach was taken as they're new vaccines - hence the 7 day gap required between them. If there's good evidence to suggest it doesn't reduce efficacy to have both at once, and that side effects aren't worse than having them separately, then they'll go ahead with combining.

mindutopia · 20/07/2021 17:36

I don't think there is much data on this yet as there would only this spring be COVID vaccination alongside flu in the southern hemisphere. Common sense says that it takes a couple weeks to build antibodies, so I'd perhaps leave a couple weeks between them. But then children get loads of vaccinations all at once. Flu jabs generally start from September and last through the season (they're made for the variants in circulation that winter), so in theory should offer protection until the spring.

FizziWater · 20/07/2021 17:46

I booked mine at Boots yesterday for the first available date which was 18th September. I don't want to wait for GP to do it and if my covid booster clashes I will rearrange the flu one.

LemonTT · 20/07/2021 17:54

COVID and flu vaccines can be co-administered in the next phase in some circumstances. It’s in the guidance issued to GPs for boosters.

Whether many people want that or not is something we will find out.

The supply and distribution of flu vaccines is completely different from COVID vaccines. There are probably 10x the number of access points for a flu vaccine compared to COVID. But the run rates in COVID sites is much higher than traditional flu outlets.

The supply of COVID vaccines is arguably far mor reliable and equitable than for flu. There are lots of hiccups in flu supply that mean, depending on your manufacturers or wholesaler, your GP or pharmacist might be waiting on stock.

I expect there will be a minimum gap between second dose and booster.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 20/07/2021 18:59

If you qualify for an NHS flu jab do you have to pay if you have it at Boots?

uktrippin · 20/07/2021 19:00

@PinkSparklyPussyCat no you don't

Wigeon · 20/07/2021 19:02

Currently planning for Covid boosters to start 6 September, and for them to be given in the same appointment as the flu vaccine. NHS staff will be near the front of the queue.

LemonTT · 20/07/2021 19:10

@Wigeon

Currently planning for Covid boosters to start 6 September, and for them to be given in the same appointment as the flu vaccine. NHS staff will be near the front of the queue.

Planning allows for them to be given together but it is not the national planning requirement.

Original poster

Lottie4 · 20/07/2021 19:14

Thanks for your replies. I had my second vaccine early April. I actually work for Boots. The flu vaccine is available at the store where I work, but I had my Covid vaccine at another Boots store (where they no longer do flu vaccines as concentrating on Covid vaccines).

Most of the appointments have already gone in the first two weeks, so I might book something late September. Either way, I'm very lucky in that I can get my flu vaccine soon and hopefully follow on with a booster. Not CV, but I've pneumonia a couple of times and ended up being very ill so I'll take what I can get.

OP posts:

WASHI · 20/07/2021 19:18

@Lottie4

Work are paying for staff to have their flu vaccine. I will also qualify for a booster Covid 19 vaccination. Is there a minimum amount of time these should be given apart? I'm not sure how long the flu vaccination provides protection, does anyone know?

Just trying to work out whether to book flu vaccine end September. No idea when Covid 19 boosters will be available, but I will qualify alongside NHS staff.

The booster vaccinations haven’t actually been confirmed/approved yet.

LemonTT · 20/07/2021 19:26

The booster programme has been agreed and is starting on 6 September. Letters to GPs and everything asking them to sign up.

WASHI · 20/07/2021 19:44

@LemonTT

The booster programme has been agreed and is starting on 6 September. Letters to GPs and everything asking them to sign up.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-interim-advice-on-a-potential-coronavirus-covid-19-booster-vaccine-programme-for-winter-2021-to-2022

Someone needs to tell the JCVI then

WASHI · 20/07/2021 19:46

The NHS is planning for it to start from 6th September, sure. Has it been signed off yet? No. Has it been formally approved? Nope.

Really irresponsible to say that it is definitely starting on a date when that’s not officially the case.

LemonTT · 20/07/2021 22:32

@WASHI

The NHS is planning for it to start from 6th September, sure. Has it been signed off yet? No. Has it been formally approved? Nope.

Really irresponsible to say that it is definitely starting on a date when that’s not officially the case.

Yes it has. NHSE wrote to all GPs asking them to sign up last week. 🤣

Topbird29 · 20/07/2021 22:37

Am going on an assumption that if covid boosters are given, then may be same priority as for first vaccines. As I am 46 and was group 9 as nothing to put me in higher group, I only had 2nd jab last week. Have booked flu jab with boots late sep, as presuming any covid booster will not be available to me early doors. Would not want a flu/covid double whanmy!

GiantToadstool · 21/07/2021 00:17

Id been wondering this. Im group 6 but several times over with a number of separate conditions - so having felt invincible for a few months am now feeling a bit tetchy.

I didnt know you could book already for flu though! Thankyou so mucb for this thread!! Ive booked mid September when it looks like it starts here and could see some slots already going.

If they do decide to do covid and flu together will they add it to the boots booking? Or will I need to boon seperately? Do we even know?

AddsVsGeorgs · 21/07/2021 00:23

Government have already said
September
NHS, care staff
CEV, Over 60’s

They first wanted flu vaccines 7 days apart of Covid vaccine but it was more to do with side effects rather than them not working together

AddsVsGeorgs · 21/07/2021 00:24

@FizziWater

I booked mine at Boots yesterday for the first available date which was 18th September. I don't want to wait for GP to do it and if my covid booster clashes I will rearrange the flu one.
……………….

Thats 100% my thinking
Mine is the 18th too

WASHI · 21/07/2021 08:55

@LemonTT yep, they did! My trust got the letter too. In which it does say that it is, at this stage, a plan: “We still expect readouts from several clinical trials over the course of the summer and, therefore, plans will need to flex as new information becomes available.”

It’s very likely to go ahead and it is very likely to go ahead from 6 September. But it is not yet confirmed.

LemonTT · 21/07/2021 10:31

[quote WASHI]@LemonTT yep, they did! My trust got the letter too. In which it does say that it is, at this stage, a plan: “We still expect readouts from several clinical trials over the course of the summer and, therefore, plans will need to flex as new information becomes available.”

It’s very likely to go ahead and it is very likely to go ahead from 6 September. But it is not yet confirmed.[/quote]
Just because you haven’t been told doesn’t mean it is not the case. It’s all signed off.

Wigeon · 21/07/2021 19:40

Ok, just to be really clear:

JCVI have advised on a “potential” booster programme in their “interim” advice. Their final advice is dependent on the readout of various clinical trials, eg whether the booster will be the same or different to a patient’s 1st and 2nd vaccine.

NHS England has then sent planning guidance out about how health systems should prepare for this potential booster, because the planning needs to happen now. That letter said that planning should assume a start date of 6 Sept.

NHS England has also sent out info on how GPs and pharmacies can participate in the booster programme, with a process for signing up and a draft contract for GPs and another for pharmacies. That all needs to happen now because the NHS wants to be ready to go as soon as JCVI publishes its final advice.

So it’s very likely that there will be a booster programme, but not in fact 100% confirmed, and various details (eg the mixed vs same vaccine issue) are tbc. The definite start date is also tbc; it’s just a planning assumption it’ll be 6 Sept.

Hope that helps and happy to provide links to all the relevant docs if anyone wants! Or answer any other questions!

WASHI · 21/07/2021 20:26