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Original poster

Would you pay a tenner for a flu jab?

66 replies

LunasSpectreSpecs · 06/12/2017 22:21

I don't qualify for a flu jab on the NHS - no underlying medical conditions apart from mild asthma, which I have been told isn't bad enough for me to have one as I only have a blue inhaler, not the brown one too.

I'm self-employed and really can't be taking to my bed for a week to get over flu - I'd lose clients and it would be a logistical nightmare. Local chemists are offering a flu jab for a tenner. Worth it?

OP posts:
loveka · 06/12/2017 22:48

Of course it's worth it. Especially as you are self employed.

I have had proper flu. I was in bed, couldn't move, for 3 weeks. So I don't have a fku jab from 'hystetia'. Really, what is wrong with peoe who say shit like that? But I digress.

Also, my doctor told me that it is not true that flu is only flu if totally debilitating. I had a bad cold that became pneumonia in May, doctor said he reckoned it was flu and the jab would have prevented it.

MsHomeSlice · 06/12/2017 22:49

i get mine...it's worth it for a tenner!

Flu kills people Migraleve, it's not hysteria. But if it makes you feel superior to be lucky enough not to have ever had it and to sneer at people who have then do carry on.

DimplesToadfoot · 06/12/2017 22:50

Yup, I do every year, I've only had full on flu once and I never want to have it again if i can help it. yes I know the vaccine doesn't protect you from every strain

Janleverton · 06/12/2017 22:54

I paid for mine. Ds1 gets his free and dd2 had spray at school.

I have had flu twice. Once when I was 12. Once when I was 30something. Two weeks of my life, both times, where I felt worse than have ever felt, including, raging tonsillitis and childbirth.

Dd had flu in year 1. Had to be carried out of the school because it came on quickly during the day before the last day of school before Christmas. She didn't really eat again until Boxing Day. Had to be carried to the loo and slept and slept and slept. On verge of admission for dehydration/fever. Then ds1 got it, then me, then dh.

So I don't get the jab because I'm afraid of a fiction of flu - but because I know that I wouldn't be able to work and wouldn't be able to look after the children if I had it.(unlike with a cold, however bad). Dh hasn't I think this year - well at least one of us, fingers crossed, can rally round.

PurplePillowCase · 06/12/2017 22:58

I had the flu twice (as in bed for a couple of weeks feeling like dying), however I also had flu without sysmpoms (tested because of sick family member)

Migraleve · 06/12/2017 23:01

Fuck sake I wasn't sneering at anyone.

I know flu CAN kill. I also know that's rare.

The OP asked if people thought it was worth having, just because I don't agree with the majority doesn't mean I was being 'superior'. - just a different opinion.

TentUpFirstBunkUpLater · 06/12/2017 23:06

DH had flu jab last year and was hospitalised after many times. It exacerbated his breathing condition. He had it again this year and again is not 'right'. I have not had the jab and the times I have been really ill were when I worked in an office - I don't now, so dont suffer at all in the same way. Refuse to have the jab

AppleKatie · 06/12/2017 23:07

It's a total no brainer.

I get it free but I would pay in a heartbeat.

It cannot make you ill- and people who say it does/has have misunderstood the facts. People are right that there are strains of flu that won't be covered by the vaccine but some protection has to be better than no protection.

DramaAlpaca · 06/12/2017 23:10

Worth every penny. I don't get sick pay and can't afford to take time off with flu so I get it every year.

tinygirlsmum · 06/12/2017 23:11

Had it free in the past but paid about £7 in Tesco this year. Just wish they had one for all the cold viruses too!!!

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 06/12/2017 23:15

Yes! Single parent of a 2 year old with no help, it's horrible when I get ill.

applesareredandgreen · 06/12/2017 23:16

Yes definitely- some years have had this free at work but other years have paid. Not got round to it this year. - hope I'm not too late

Maya12 · 06/12/2017 23:19

Yes. Yes, flu is quite rare but have had it once and it's really nasty

Asmallrole · 06/12/2017 23:20

I always have one. Mine was £9 at the local pharmacy. I know it doesn't cover 100% of the viruses because I had a bad bout of pneumonia two years ago that the doc reckoned had started with a flu virus not in the vaccine. But I've had proper flu twice in my life and will do all I can to avoid it again.
My DH works on an ICU and they've been extra careful about staff vaccines this year because they're expecting a particularly nasty strain.

Original poster
LunasSpectreSpecs · 06/12/2017 23:21

Have just checked Asda - they do appear to be doing them but not at a location near to me. Lloyd's pharmacy is £10, Boots is £13.

I don't think there's any harm at all to the vaccination, but there were reports on hte telly that it wasn't as effective this year. However as others have said I'm really not prepared to run the risk of being very ill, have had suspected pneumonia in the past and I was very ill indeed with it.

OP posts:
donajimena · 06/12/2017 23:23

I think I've only had flu once. I'm in my forties. But I still have the jab.

Ragusa · 06/12/2017 23:30

I always do now, after the year I got flu and the opportunistic ear infections that have permanently damaged my hearing.
Flu can be horrible. Me and both my kids get it done because I don't want us to suffer like that again..also I.don't want my kids to be disease vectors.

Balancingact12 · 06/12/2017 23:36

If you are going to get it you would need to do it sooner rather than later. You aren’t immune from the strains given in the vaccine for 3 weeks!

madamginger · 06/12/2017 23:47

You also need to get it soon, stocks are starting to run low in some areas.

GrockleBocs · 06/12/2017 23:47

I get it free now but I have paid for it in previous years, particularly when one of the dc has had it.

Downhillatfifty · 07/12/2017 00:02

Yes I’ve paid to have a jab again this year. I don’t think anyone who has been unfortunate to have a bad dose of flu ( 3 times in my 50 plus years) would hesitate to pay for the jab if they had to , and could afford it.

TheCraicDealer · 07/12/2017 00:09

You've just reminded me to re-book mine. I had it booked in with Boots then had actual flu/chest infection and decided it probably wasn't a good idea to fire the vaccination on top of that.

I'm the worst, moaniest patient so I think it's really best for everyone I avoid getting ill again.

NotCitrus · 07/12/2017 00:40

Paid for mine - couldn't face the paperwork and travel to take up work's offer to pay.

Predictions of how the virus will mutate are usually pretty good - even if it's less effective individually it makes a significant difference in spread of cases (if people exposed are 50% less likely to get it, it's much harder for an epidemic to get going).

Original poster
LunasSpectreSpecs · 07/12/2017 08:23

Booked for tomorrow - will get in earlier next year ;-)

OP posts:
Redisthemagicolour · 07/12/2017 08:25

Yes I pay every year and have since I had flu 5 years ago. Worth every penny to decrease the risk of feeling that ill again.

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