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Original poster

Can’t get a flu jab?

52 replies

Flossie44 · 24/09/2020 07:29

We, as a family, are in the shielding group. I’ve called my gp to arrange flu vaccinations and have been told twice that they’ve only got vaccines for over 65’s and under 2’a as yet. Apparently the standard vaccine won’t be available for 2-3 weeks and then we will be notified that we are able to book.

I’m concerned that each week that goes by, is a week that we are unprotected.

I know last year we didn’t have it until early November but I’m eager this year due to the pandemic, and the fact that my children have to go to school and my husband to work.

I just feel we are currently so very vulnerable.

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 25/09/2020 22:27

Boots have stopped all bookings for now and no walk ins are offered for this year. You can sign up on line to be notified when more are available. This applies to both under and over 65s.

ConquestEmpireHungerPlague · 27/09/2020 18:34

Tesco and Asda pharmacies can do over-12s. You can book Tesco online but not Asda iirc. Boots can too but only at some stores and not atm as they're short of vaccine.

bumblingbovine49 · 27/09/2020 18:37

Try ringing a few local small independent pharmacies. We called out local one and they did us the next day. People always try boots and Lloyd etc but the small independent pharmacies do them too

Original poster
Flossie44 · 27/09/2020 22:12

When we saw the practise nurse nurse last week for something else, I asked about the flu jab situation. I mentioned that I might pay at a pharmacy. She said that the pharmacy vaccines aren’t as good as the ones doctor surgeries get....how can this be true?!

OP posts:
Lilybet1980 · 27/09/2020 22:21

@Flossie44

When we saw the practise nurse nurse last week for something else, I asked about the flu jab situation. I mentioned that I might pay at a pharmacy. She said that the pharmacy vaccines aren’t as good as the ones doctor surgeries get....how can this be true?!
They are all the same. She’s talking rubbish.

How old are the kids? Are they not getting them at school?

The whole thing is another government screw up. I turned up to my appointment at Boots the other day to be told they weren’t doing them. Can’t get an appointment anywhere else. It’s a shit show.

Sidge · 27/09/2020 22:40

@PineappleUpsideDownCake

Boots are ow obly doing over 65s due to shortages.

Im not over 65 but booked mine early as was anxious.

How on earth is this a problem. They should have known this was going to happen and made flu jabs a priority!?

My children will get them at school (everyone up to and including yr 7 ) should be.

We order our flu jabs in February for the coming winter, based on eligibility numbers.

So when the government change the eligibility criteria halfway through the year (such as announcing all 50+ can have it now) we are up shit creek as we are only expecting enough vaccine for those we planned to vaccinate based on our numbers in February.

We are having to prioritise the older folk, the under 66s at risk and children. The healthy 50+s will get it at the end if we’ve got any left or are allowed to order any more...

@Flossie44 she’s talking rot. They can order the same flu vaccine as GP surgeries get.

Sidge · 27/09/2020 22:40

Under 65s - typo.

notangelinajolie · 28/09/2020 00:51

Paid £9 for mine at Tesco but there is an NHS option you can chose when you book online. I'm presuming you don't pay if you meet the criteria.

Original poster
Flossie44 · 28/09/2020 07:00

Lilybet1980 - my children can’t have them at school due to them needing the injection, and not the nasal spray.

OP posts:
FakeFlamingo · 28/09/2020 17:28

@Flossie44 - if you call around all your local pharmacies you will find that some are licensed to give the flu jab to under-16s and some are not. Might take a while but if you find one that does under-16s you could take your kids there. I got my daughter (13) the jab a week ago by doing this.

FakeFlamingo · 28/09/2020 17:29

Also the private pharmacies mostly do only the jab not the nasal. Hence that'll work for you.

girlsyearapart · 28/09/2020 17:34

I’m starting new medication on November 7 the neurologist told me on Friday that I need to have the flu jab before October 7 and I can’t get an apt anywhere 🙄

AuntieMarys · 28/09/2020 17:34

I'm 60 and had one at local pharmacy last week...didn't even need an appointment.

Original poster
Flossie44 · 28/09/2020 18:41

I’m going to call local pharmacies tomorrow. Thank you. I only tried superdrug, boots and Tesco. On Tesco’s website it said over 12’s. The others said over 18’s.
I’ll keep looking....

OP posts:
PeaceAndHarmoneeee · 28/09/2020 19:25

Do you have a Well Pharmacy near you? We're all booked on for next week- 1x NHS (diabetic adult) 2x private. They had loads of slots when I called.

saraclara · 28/09/2020 19:33

The flu jab that over 65s get is different from the one that under 65s have. It has an extra adjuvant because older people's immune systems don't respond as strongly as younger people's. On the downside, the one for older people only protects against three strains, while the other protects against four.

So it's not exactly that over 65s are being prioritised. It's more that it's the quadruple vaccination is the one that there are shortages of at the moment.

BameChange123 · 29/09/2020 08:58

Got mine done at Kamsons pharmacy (independent chain) it cost £12.95 no appointment and the shop i went to do them on Sundays if the pharmacist is not too busy (went early)

BameChange123 · 29/09/2020 09:03

Www.kamsons.co.UK

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/09/2020 13:43

I booked at my local pharmacy after cancelling Lloyds because I’m under 65.

JinglingHellsBells · 29/09/2020 17:08

Even if you are over 65, there is a waiting list! Earliest at Boots for DH was 23 Oct.

I think you are panicking a bit OP.

The flu season doesn't usually kick in till late Dec or mainly Jan/ Feb.

JinglingHellsBells · 29/09/2020 17:09

. She said that the pharmacy vaccines aren’t as good as the ones doctor surgeries get....how can this be true?

that's rubbish! Last year Boots vaccine was 4 types compared to NHS 3 types- so better.

Bouledeneige · 29/09/2020 18:22

My local pharmacy is doing walk in flu jabs for £19.50.

SheepandCow · 29/09/2020 18:27

I echo the advice to try a small local pharmacy.

Mine is doing them for £12

gamerchick · 29/09/2020 18:29

@Flossie44

When we saw the practise nurse nurse last week for something else, I asked about the flu jab situation. I mentioned that I might pay at a pharmacy. She said that the pharmacy vaccines aren’t as good as the ones doctor surgeries get....how can this be true?!
I think each place gets paid per jab, or something like that. It's rubbish.
Sidge · 29/09/2020 19:13

She’s talking rot. Under 65s get QIV and over 65s get aTIV.

Overs only get 3 strains (trivalent) but with an adjuvant.

Unders get 4 strains but no adjuvant.

The actual vaccines are produced by a limited number of pharmacy companies and have to be “authorised” whether given by a surgery or a private provider, and its highly likely that the vaccine you get in Boots is the same one you’d get at your GP surgery. No better, no worse.