Newly eligible for a flu vaccine, does that mean I can get covid booster?

[historyrocks]

As the title says, I have been told I am eligible for the flu vaccine for the first time. I'm confused as to why as I don't have any of the health conditions listed in the leaflet. However, I was able to have the covid vaccine earlier than my age group, which I can only assume was down to having a 'serious and enduring' mental health condition. The only other condition I have is an underachieve thyroid, which I don't think is the reason. Nothing else.

The letter with the flu vaccine appointment says I may be eligible for the Covid boosterif I am, they will do it at the same time as the flu vaccinebut the letter doesn't say if this is the case for me. Also, I'm in Scotland--not sure if that makes a difference.

Does anyone know if having a mental health condition is considered to be eligible for a covid booster? I have already had the flu vaccine so will be cancelling the appointment online. There is a number on the letter to ring, but I feel stupid doing that (I get so anxious speaking on the phone) so any info would be welcomed.

Sorry, I should have also said that I can't find any way of trying to book the booster online. Again, I'm in Scotland so perhaps it's different to what I've heard about England.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/

The list of relevant health conditions is on that page. Maybe talk to your GP if you are not clear? They will have access to your records and what codes have been used. Good luck.

And info about Scottish booking here www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/the-vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-booster-vaccination

Not necessarily. My partner gets a flu vaccine via the surgery, but wasn't group 6.

I get booster because of mental health but not flu jab.

[quote MsMartini]And info about Scottish booking here www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/the-vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-booster-vaccination[/quote]
I can’t see any way of booking online via the Scottish site.

I have just managed to find that having bipolar (which is what I have) made people eligible for the covid vaccine in England, but nothing on the booster and no information at all on Scotland. Link here www.england.nhs.uk/blog/if-you-have-severe-mental-illness-the-time-to-get-your-covid-19-vaccination-is-now/

Not necessarily. I get a flu jab each year due to asthma but I don't qualify for a Covid booster currently.

Depends on when you got your 2nd jag - there has to be a gap of 6 months.

I got my 2nd jag at the beginning of June. My flu jag is on 25 November, so I'll have to go back at a later date for my booster.

As it happens, I would only be allowed to get a booster at the beginning of December (even if the 6 months were up before then) as I am currently isolating, having tested positive last week

How old are you @historyrocks ?
Flu vaccine to be offered to everyone in Scotland over 50 this year.
My DH will be eligible for 1st time based on age

Sorry ignore that, I see you've had the flu jag already

In Scotland booster appointments are sent out to you, you don't book them. My 78 year old mum got her booster plus flu jab 2 weeks ago

Think a portal may be set up for the 50+ age group to book but its not in place yet

Thought I'd add that if I go into the Scottish NHS Portal, I could see my flu jag appointment a week ago (the actual letter arrived yesterday) but it's still not showing the Booster appointment. I'm expecting it to be some time in December.

I’m 46 so not based on age. My second jab will be 5.5 months at the time of the appointment for the flu vaccine. I’ll have to force myself to ring up, but I think that having bipolar is the reason I’ve been offered the flu vaccine and why I got the first covid vaccine earlier than my age group.

If you're only 5.5 months post 2nd jag at the time of your flu jag, you won't get the Booster. You need to wait for the full 6 months to be up.

I don't think age is the trigger for the Boosters - it's literally simply the 6 months from the 2nd jag.

My flu jag is exactly a week before the 6 months are up since my 2nd vaccine - so I wasn't expecting it then. (Couldn't have it then now anyway as it has to be 4 weeks after testing +ve).

If you know your User name for the NHS Scotland portal - or can remember the exact date of either of your jags, so that you can retrieve it - you might be able to see if it has been booked yet. I can only "see" my flu jag for the moment.

https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp

@prettybird, I'm in Scotland too and I'd heard there were delays to the CV booster but do you know if I can just walk into a chemist and ask for the flu vaccine? I'm not sure why I'm expecting you to know, i'll maybe pop into one tomorrow & ask. Happy to pay.

Answering my own question. Yes any pharmacist - I'm over 50 so it's free too.

No idea - but I think you can go in to certain pharmacies and pay.

I turned 60 in April and although technically I should've been offered a flu vaccine last winter, the GGHB web site kept just saying "Details for my age group to book would be put up by the end of January" and never were So I'm just grateful I've got an appointment before Christmas this year

Ah thanks @prettybird.

Now I'm answering my own answer because further down they say that if you are getting it because you're eligible, it suggests you wait for your invitation. Wonder how long that'll be?

I got my flu vaccine done at Boots (paid) before I found out I can now get it done for free.

@LizzieMacQueen - have you tried signing in via the link I posted to see if you already have a time booked? If you can't remember your sign-in, you can retrieve it as long as you can remember the date of one of your Covid vaccinations (which will be on your Covid status app if you've loaded that).

I found out my appointment time more than a week ago but the letter only came in yesterday.

OP, that Scottish link I posted quotes the JCVI guidance on eligibility - which is the same as is being used in England - so yes I think you are right about your condition. It also says there will be online booking from mid-November (at the moment people fave to wait for letters), so if that is easier for you, you could wait a few days?

Or if you feel you can, ring the number on the flu letter, say you have had flu jab but can you confirm you are eligible for covid booster and attend the appointment for that?

Either way, don't worry, I am sure it will work out

@dementedpixie

In Scotland booster appointments are sent out to you, you don't book them. My 78 year old mum got her booster plus flu jab 2 weeks ago

Think a portal may be set up for the 50+ age group to book but its not in place yet

They're sending letters to over 50s in Scotland. My partner got one last week and had both jags.

It's 24 weeks to get your booster here rather than 26 too