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Original poster

Winter Vaccinations

52 replies

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 04/08/2023 18:33

For anyone living in Scotland the schedule for winter vaccinations opens on 8th of August , so maybe worth checking in on app to book if you are entitled, also includes I think over 50's flu jags .

OP posts:
BrunchBunch · 08/08/2023 16:20

You are lucky if it's over 50s there.

It's just been announced that in England, both Covid and flu winter boosters will only be for over 65s.

Although I do remember in previous years that is what they started off announcing, and then after a couple of months, changed their minds and offered it to over 50s as well.

I thought with the latest increase in cases, they might do over 50s this year too, but given that the rise in cases is already being noticed, and they still announced today that it's for over 65s, I guess that isn't so likely to happen.

Better book my flu jab at boots then and pay for it, but I wish I could book a covid one too.

dementedpixie · 08/08/2023 16:29

I got a text last week with an appointment and will be turning 50 this year. By the looks of it it's just for the flu vaccine as they havent had the JCVI advice about covid vaccines yet (that's what the website said anyway).

My appointment is in September and will be the first time I've had the flu vaccine

BrunchBunch · 08/08/2023 16:41

Maybe you're in a vulnerable category of some sort?

The advice that was reported today, which the health secretary said they have accepted, is that neither flu nor covid were to be for over 50s, only over 65s, unless in a vulnerable category of some sort.

Original poster
Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 08/08/2023 16:54

Over 50's will get a flu shot in Scotland .

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 08/08/2023 16:55

BrunchBunch · 08/08/2023 16:41

Maybe you're in a vulnerable category of some sort?

The advice that was reported today, which the health secretary said they have accepted, is that neither flu nor covid were to be for over 50s, only over 65s, unless in a vulnerable category of some sort.

In Scotland the flu vaccine is being offered to over 50s. OP did say it was Scotland specific. The covid vaccine is for over 65s here too

dementedpixie · 08/08/2023 16:56

Sorry, I did forget to say I was in Scotland when I first posted

BrunchBunch · 08/08/2023 16:59

Oh I see.

I don't mind about the flu vaccine as I can always pay for that.

I would like the option to pay for covid but I'm sure that won't happen.

I think I read today that they expect Scotland and the other nations also to follow the advice on covid given out today but of course they could always make a different decision.

Nevermay · 08/08/2023 17:02

Why has the age for flu immunisation changed? It has been over 50s for a few years. Was that to do with covid? I have paid for my flu jab for decades, anyway, so no problem to for another one. I hope I get the option of a covid jab too

CommaChameleon7 · 08/08/2023 17:03

JCVI have just announced Covid boosters will be offered to
Care home residents
65y and over
6y-64y in clinical risk groups
Frontline health and social care workers
12-64y household contacts of immunocompromised
15-64y carers

gogomoto · 08/08/2023 17:24

Apparently it was only dropped to 50 recently. I'm only 50 this year so no idea if it was the case. I get offered it anyway as a registered carer and rest of household are classified as vulnerable due to meds! The vulnerable criteria is subjective i should add, they aren't but meet the criteria so the drs offer it

ssd · 08/08/2023 17:36

Thanks op

stargirl1701 · 08/08/2023 17:39

I got a text and email last week.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 08/08/2023 17:49

I don't know why people can't start paying for doses yet if they want them.

I'm not sure when I'll be getting mine. I had the Spring booster in May.

ssd · 08/08/2023 17:50

I've just booked it, it says its the winter vaccination, it didn't say flu jag?

ssd · 08/08/2023 17:50

Im over 50 in Scotland but not vulnerable

dementedpixie · 08/08/2023 17:52

ssd · 08/08/2023 17:50

I've just booked it, it says its the winter vaccination, it didn't say flu jag?

It will just be the flu vaccine if you're not in a vulnerable group for covid.

ssd · 08/08/2023 18:46

Why not say flu vaccine then?

It says winter vaccination

dementedpixie · 08/08/2023 19:00

ssd · 08/08/2023 18:46

Why not say flu vaccine then?

It says winter vaccination

Because some will get both if they are in the groups that are eligible

ssd · 08/08/2023 22:58

Ah righto Smile

NeedWineNow · 09/08/2023 17:09

I'm 60, live in England, and have booked my flu jab with Boots as I saw that it was no longer being offered free to the over 50s. I was quite surprised to see that we weren't being offered the Covid booster however, and than there was no option to pay for it privately.

Tiqtaq · 11/08/2023 20:20

What's the logic that over 50s don't get a Covid booster and that there is not even any option to get it done privately?

Terzani · 12/08/2023 09:18

Tiqtaq · 11/08/2023 20:20

What's the logic that over 50s don't get a Covid booster and that there is not even any option to get it done privately?

The risk assessment clearly has changed, so the threshold is now 65. Over 50 but not vulnerable aren't considered at risk anymore.

https://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/jcvi_announces_advice_for_autumn_covid-19_booster_vaccine_eligibility_1496071

JCVI announces advice for autumn COVID-19 booster vaccine eligibility

The Committee has advised offering the booster to those at high risk of serious disease

https://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/jcvi_announces_advice_for_autumn_covid-19_booster_vaccine_eligibility_1496071

BrunchBunch · 12/08/2023 09:53

I understand the logic of not giving it for free, but you'd think by this point, it would be like flu jabs, where you could pay if you wanted to - it's not that they're rationing it because of supply, like they were to start with; it's presumably just a financial cost/benefit situation for the NHS. Having people choose to pay in the younger years would be beneficial, as 50-65 year olds are still at some risk, and are also out working and spreading it, so the fewer of them that get it, the better.

I wonder if the increase in cases that seems to be reported at the moment will make them reconsider, but I guess not for quite some time anyway, until most of the others are done.

I know the green book specifies who is considered vulnerable, but I wonder if GPs have any leeway in deciding that, especially if they end up with unused vaccines (or maybe that never happens as they could send them back or they order exactly the doses needed)

AreYouVeryAnti · 12/08/2023 10:22

It's certainly a massive change, just 2 years ago 16 and 17 year olds were being told they wouldn't be able to go to nightclubs if they weren't vaccinated, and a year and a half ago 100k unvaccinated NHS workers came within a week of the sackings commencing. Now you can't buy it! How fast The Science moves.

Tiqtaq · 12/08/2023 14:00

I don't follow why you can buy other vaccinations privately eg flu, chickenpox, pneumonia, yellow fever etc yet not Covid.